My portrait work is helping me to rediscover the idea of beauty, to be honest, just a few years ago I wouldn’t have thought of taking portraits of people in an assisted care facility. But my notion of beauty has changed, and it is a gift to take photographs of the unseen. I love photographing Sylvie.

Sylvie has some memory issues, but she talks eloquently about her life as a diplomat’s child, she traveled all over the world. She is a sweet and gentle soul, always reading a book or a magazine. Sometimes when I see her in the hallway, she asks me if I am Red or Jon Katz.

She has great poise and dignity.

Today she looked at me and asked “is this Jon Katz?” She remembers my name but not always my face. She is a wonderful portrait subject for me, her face is full of character and feeling. If you wish, you can write Sylvia c/o The Mansion, 11 S. Union Avenue, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.

She loves to read magazines, but has not yet told me which ones.