Ad Hoc Magic
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Hello friends, Folklore tells us of magical cities and villages that appear out of nowhere, and disappear again. I like to think that these stories are rooted in real events and real communities. I myself, have found magic in such places, time and time again. Last week, I was off grid at a lovely camping event in a small valley surrounded by tree filled mountains. There was a creek, and on the forest paths, some community members had planted ceramic toadstools, squirrels embracing acorns, and a wide variety of gnomes. This was temporary magic, both the ephemeral tent city with waving banners, and the stone and ceramic creatures that lined the woodland paths leading to burbling water. All that magic is gone now, but will reappear next year. There is another magical space that happens in my city each week. It’s a free community store. There are two of these free stores, actually, one of which is consistently harassed by law enforcement. The conveners don’t care. They keep showing up, regardless, because community matters more than restrictive laws. Yesterday, I rode my bicycle to the free store closest to my neighborhood, which so far seems able to exist in peace. My basket carried pre-loaded neck cooling scarves and some electrolyte packets to beat the heat. And there, just past the confluence of a bike corridor, a freeway, and a busy street, stood an oasis in a shady spot. Folks were setting up racks of clothing, back packs, books, and food, all to give away. “Here it is,” I thought. “Brigadoon.” Community magic is my favorite kind. We are artists who can make things appear and disappear. We are compassionate beings who make magic to delight and help each other. This is why so many of my books feature found and chosen family. We all need places to belong, however temporarily. We greet each other, and recognize our humanity and our place in this world. Together, we make the magic that we choose. Best wishes — Thorn Want some fiction? There's still time to get this limited-time, sliding scale, Unusual Heroes StoryBundle!
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T. Thorn Coyle
Hello friends, As you read this, I'm out camping with friends outside of cell and wifi range. So, to simplify things this week, I'm leaving you one photo and a podcast! First, the photo. It's from one of those moments where I'm reminded, once again, amidst the very real horrors, how much I love this world. Just look at that bumblebee on those bright pink sweat pea flowers. Amazing, yes? Photo: Bumblebee on Sweetpeas Next, I wanted to share the latest episode of Magic, Creativity, and Life....
Hello friends, There’s an artist—or perhaps an arts collective—here in the Pacific Northwest that makes wooden dragon heads with glass teeth and jeweled eyes made of old CDs. The dragons are always painted in bold colors, and attached high up wood utility poles, so it seems as if they are roaring to the sky. I love that part. The roaring to the sky, part. I also love how bright and colorful these dragons are, and how carefully thought out, even if they are made of scraps of wood and outdated...
Hello friends, It’s a rainy summer solstice here in beautiful Portland, Oregon. The sun is hiding, but, as I move my way around the city, I still see all the ways in which things shine. There are roses in full bloom everywhere. People don’t call this Rose City for nothing. Some roses are fragrant, others, not so much. But each flower is gorgeous in its own way, whether pink, red, yellow, or white. What else is shining? The glint on a crow’s beak. Rain on the sidewalks. People. Yeah. People....