I was touched last night to see and hear Oscar’s Trio, three men who perform at places like the Mansion. The residents loved them, and they definitely brought a festive air to the Valentine’s Day Party. It is always interesting for me to see this kind of culture, going on all the time, out of sight and mind of most of us.

The trio knew just what the people at the Mansion wanted to hear, they were very much in sync. Gentle and smiling, they were fun to watch and listen to. And photograph. On the other side of the world, in a way. Tonight, I’m off to have dinner at the Mansion with the residents there, they are worried about whether I am getting enough to eat with Maria away.

I keep trying to tell them that I do the cooking and shopping in my house, but they don’t seem impressed with that argument. It is sweet that they care about me.