I think the immediacy of present tense enhances an altering landscape.
That was also a “writer goal” here. To make the landscape itself a sort of a character, to fix the point of view not on the characters or the physical events of the story, but rather at the living spot where they come together, the place where interior and exterior meet. So there’s no clear distinction between inner and outer, everything is “betwixt and between.” That’s to my mind pretty much the definition of “magical realism.” I was strongly influenced at the time of writing Blue Moon by the novels of Alice Hoffman, who is a master of this perspective. The movie “Practical Magic” is a fun, feel good romance (I like it), but the novel it’s very loosely based on is, IMHO, a work of art. It’s very different from the movie. Studied as a writer, it’s practically a textbook on how to write American magical realism.
Hawthorne in broad daylight
The Portland Hawthorne district looks/sounds a little like Eureka Springs, Arkansas, where my wife and I plan to relocate when I retire from my day job next year:

Literally nestled into the mountainside (aerial view) :

Eureka Springs is an enclave of liberal artists, hippies and New Age types staking their claim in red state Arkansas. We should fit right in.
Thanks, Sharon!
