When Red enters the Mansion, he first rushes into the office to get his hugs from the staff. Then he bounds down the hall to the Activity Room, to see who’s in there. If there are  squeals of welcome and delight, he goes in. Otherwise he bolts down to Connie’s room, her door is always open. She is always happy to see Red.

Connie is a loving and generous spirit, it is hard for her to raise her head, so I was glad to get this portrait of her, she was smiling because Red went into the hallway to say hello to Barbara, who lives next door. Connie is very generous with Red, she is always urging me to take him to see other people who are down or sick or who miss their dogs. She loves to be with him, but she is selfless, she loves to see other people enjoy him as well.

She has made 14 pairs of mittens with the yarn some of you sent her, and is starting on shawls.  She is friends with Maria, and she says she will miss Maria when she goes to India this coming Sunday. Me too, I said, we’ll have to keep one another company.

Red and I have been invited to dinner at the Mansion next Wednesday, we are both looking forward to it. They want to take care of me while Maria is away. I don’t have the heart to tell them Maria rarely, if ever, cooks. It will be fun. Connie got five letters yesterday for Valentine’s Day and they were set on a stand by her chair, she reads them one at a time, over the day.

Thanks for sending them. Connie is a strong spirit at the Mansion, and a generous one. The residents try very hard to take care of one another.

If you wish, you can write to Connie c/o The Mansion, 11 S.Union Street, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.