It’s been lovely to have Maria join Red and on some of my visits to the Mansion, our work and art is usually quite separate, but I invited Maria to come to the Mansion, and she came. She and Connie have a lot in common, both have done fiber work and art, they talk easily and comfortably with one another.

Connie wanted to know about Maria’s trip to India and they both talked about knitting, weaving, and designing quilts. Red sits quietly by Connie while they talk, and I love the three of them, sitting quietly and chatting. I went off and visited some of the other Mansion residents and when I came back, they were still sitting together and talking.

Connie said she has a lot of work to do for a long time, her room is crammed with baskets and buckets of yarn. She said she’d miss Maria when she is gone. Me too, I said.

My favorite part of the visit was when the women in the activity room saw Maria’s Frida Kahlo tights and got very excited, all of them had something to say about the bright colors and images. I think Maria had a blast talking to them about it. As I’ve mentioned, it is a good idea, I think to mark Valentine’s Day, a day of love.

I think that is a day when love will be on everyone’s mind, Valentine’s Day is Tuesday, February 14. If you wish to send the Mansion residents messages or small gifts, you can send them to The Mansion, 11 S.Union Street, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.