So Much Love

Hello friends,

Early on in the pandemic, I would ride my bike across the river and into downtown once a week. There, I would help a friend of mine who has worked for years with unhoused people in our city.

Riding there, I would often see scraps of fabric with embroidered messages stapled to utility poles. If I had time, I would pause, read the message, and take a photo. This soon led me to the artist, Shanalee Hampton. We connected over art and social justice work. Several of her pieces now grace my home.

It was a small act of love, stapling these little pieces of art all over town, forging moments of reflection and connection. And she’s still at it. Every summer she staples up 100 pieces in 100 days along with working on the artwork that she sells to folks like me.

On my walk this morning, I heard the k-chunk! of a stapler. There, across the street, in a worn denim jacket and a dress festooned with sunflowers, was the artist herself. I crossed the street to greet her. As we talked, she said she was getting close to five hundred pieces stapled up. That’s quite an achievement and it speaks to her dedication at spreading messages of hope in this world.

This morning’s piece is a quote from Simone De Beauvoir and reads:

“I have so much love in me that I would like to cry.”

As I walked home I thought of Shanalee’s project and De Beauvoir’s words. “That’s it.” I thought. It’s all about love. And it’s the little things each of us do that help keep each other alive.”

We spread art and joy, love and kindness even as billionaires ensure the earth continues to burn. Every action we take in the name of connection is an act of hope and defiance.

What are you doing to help connect? I’d love to hear about it.

best wishes — Thorn

ps: If you have never read DeBeauvoir’s novel about Paris intellectuals near the end of WWII, I recommend it. It’s called The Mandarins.

Here’s another FREE cozy mystery ebook novel collection for you! A bunch of authors have banded together for The Lazy Cozy Days of Summer (or Winter, depending on where you are in the world). Enjoy!