RIP Prince

April 21, 2016
It was a very unusual day … an extraordinary day.  I was in the mood for quiet time so the computer, TV and radio remained off while I sipped on “cold press” and read the morning paper after which I headed for the basement to do some purging.  Around 4 p.m. I was pushing Tommy in his wheelchair through Elliot Park heading for our favorite bench.  We were absolutely blown away by the beauty of the western horizon.  Mystical would be an appropriate description.  Pink/violet hues tinted the spaces within the very high clouds.  A silver lining shinned above the horizontal crest of denser grey, which appeared much like the highest mountains of the Himalayas.  The stillness of the air held the scent of freshness, and the exuberance of spring permeated our surroundings.  We lingered for an hour in awe and gratitude.  The atmosphere was about to release itself of moisture and we made it back to room 119 at Augustana in the nick of time as raindrops began falling at a heavy and quick pace. We tuned in for the local news and became two more people, probably the last two people in Minneapolis, alerted to the sad news that Prince had died that morning.  It was surreal; we were part of a metaphysical and spiritual “purple rain” phenomenon.  So much emotional, united energy emanating throughout the city.  
— Mavis Schwartz, Powderhorn resident