Magnolia Watch 49: Another Sunday in the Park

Our task is, as always, to perpetuate the Olde Ways–proven means by which you can nurture yourself, others, and the planet. --The Goodly Spell Book

Sunday afternoon at the Magnolia was a picnic. Valerie rode up on her Vespa with two pizzas strapped on board and Manoon came by with watermelon. An exchange student from England conversed with a laborer from Asheville while a young Wiccan from Waynesville packed up and headed home after helping out with the night watch. Steve was busy online checking out archive photos of the Magnolia and Lady Passion was finishing up an essay about her time with the tree.

"It's six weeks today," Lady Passion said.

Six weeks sleeping on the ground at the base of the old Magnolia. It's an amazing commitment to protect the magnificent tree now under threat of "removal" by developer Stewart Coleman.

"My husband grew up with him," one woman offered. She was in town to take photos of the town before it is ruined by all the development, she said. She wants to document it before its all gone.

Dave loaned me his motorbike Sunday so I was spared the hot mid-day walk to the tree. Even so, I am always appreciative of the coolness there. When people come by they often remark on the constant breeze. We have to admit that much of that is the air flow pulled through by the intake on the huge cooling unit for the city building. It is located down the slope just behind the Magnolia and across from the Silver Maple. Still,when the breeze is combined with the deep shade under the wide branches it makes for a fine gathering place.

Eric rode his bicycle in from Emma to have a look at the tree. He had seen the coverage on TV, he said. He took a seat and a slice of pizza and soon was telling his story. He works seasonally as a server at the Biltmore Forest Country Club, he said, where he often saw Stewart Coleman.

"The only person I ever saw him eat with there was his mother," he said.

“I made $9 an hour,” he added “and they don't tip at all. They never give you a tip. ...They are really fake and superficial," he said. "They are trying to make business contacts and groom their children to be just like they are."

Another young man walked up and sat for a while paging through The Goodly Spell Book, looking up occasionally to ask Steve or Lady Passion some questions about the Craft. He was particularly interested in the formula for a love potion. Others came and sat for a few moments, making suggestions for what we could do to further the cause. "That's a really good idea," we often respond. "Why don't you see if you can make that happen."

Around dusk three firemen strolled up from the station. "We just wanted to see if you're alright and if you need anything," one offered. "This tree needs water," Passion replied. "Do you think you could bring your truck around and give it good watering?"

"You'd have to ask the chief about that," one replied. In short order, Steve looked up the fire chief's number on line and Lady Passion was on the phone, leaving a message. "Never hurts to ask," she said.

As the time approaches for the expected August 25 response from the court on the Pack family lawsuit, there is much speculation about the outcome and the response of the Magnolia Watchers.

"Will you tie yourself to the tree if they come to cut it?" an older man asked. He was dressed in denim jeans with a silver belt buckle shaped into the name Joe.
"I've been living here since 1925," he said. His wife walked on ahead as he sat down to talk. "We saw them cut down the pink trees that were on the corner," he said. "My wife and I stood there and nearly cried. They took the saw to them right in front of us."