We knocked on the door and asked Bill through the door if he wanted to see Red, and he shouted back, “sure.” Bill is new to the mansion, he said he worked hard in rehab to get to the Mansion, and is grateful to be there. We talked at some length about his dog Duke, whom he had to give away and misses dearly.

Duke brought him the paper every day and barked when strangers came by. “But if somebody wanted to come into the house and cart all the furniture away, he’d let him,” he said, smiling at the mention of Duke.

Bill said he received more than 20 letters this week, they are all in a stack by the window. The afternoon light was pouring through the window and so I stepped out into the hallway to let these two talk and to take a photograph.

Bill’s wife of 62 years died last year, but he said friends and relatives have been looking at the blog and saw his photograph. He wanted me to be sure and say hello to them, and also to thank the many people who wrote to him. Red and I are stepping up our visits to the Mansion during this holiday season, it seems we are all lifting a lot of spirits there.

I am grateful for the opportunity to do that, and to you for opening your hearts and talent to people who can really use it. Holidays are challenging inside of institutions. There is a lot for people to miss.

If you wish to contact Bill, you can write to him (he loves reading about dogs) c/o The Mansion, 11 S. Union Street, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.