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So2020 has been traumatic for all of us. Today, as I write this on May 29, 2020, our beloved twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are being ravaged by riots, protests, looting and arson as a result of the apparent murder of George Floyd, the epicenter of which is taking place only two blocks from our kids high school (which, remarkably, has been left untouched).And oh yeah theres still a dangerous pandemic on the rise in Minnesota, which will only be exacerbated by the sudden lack of social distancing as a result of all of this. And then theres Trump, almost literallyfanning the flames, seemingly treating thisas a dress rehearsal for the white supremacist race warhes undoubtedly hoping will erupt as a result of his coming loss this fall. (PlusMurder Hornets, the least of the plagues that have been visited upon us so far this year, but theres still 7 months to go.)

Luckily, our kids are safe, our home is safe, and our print studio is intact. My heart bleeds for our cities and theirfamilies, and all of the other small business owners whose livelihoods have been burned out from under them.

Also today, as I write this, would have been our neighborhoods annualpost-Memorial Day ice cream social, the one night each year ourentire Prospect Park neighborhoodgathersat Pratt Elementary and Tower Hill Parkhome of the Witch’s Hat Water Towerfor games, music, food, ice cream and to climb the tower and take in the incredible views of the city in all directions. On a good day you can see from the waters of Lake Minnetonka all the way to the state capitol in St. Paul. Tonight the viewswould have been that ofsmoke and flames and National Guard troops moving through ourstreets.

This park and its tower has been our neighborhoods landmark ever since it was built over 100 years ago. Its sweeping views are threatened by encroaching developers, and the park is always in need of upkeep, which is why this design has been made a part of our Compassion Collection, with the additional proceeds from the sale of each mat benefitting The Friends of Tower Hill Park.

(This design is based on a photo provided by former resident Josh Purple, who grew up in Prospect Park and whose family has a long history in the neighborhood. Thank you, Josh!)