Five residents from the Mansion were able to make it to the Spring Open House today, I’m afraid I couldn’t get a photograph of all of them together, but I was very moved by this gift they gave me, signed by many of the residents Red and I visit and that you help every day.

Today, we honored our better angels and celebrated the Army Of Good.

A lot of work and thinking went into it, and we hung it on the barn wall for tomorrow’s Sunday Open House. It was addressed to me, Maria and Red. I love it and will hang it in my office, it was one of the loveliest gifts I have ever received. The residents were here for about three hours and I think they had a good time.

I saw them laughing and talking every time I looked. They watched Red work with the sheep.

They had never seen Red herd the sheep before, the listened to the music and the talks and chatted with many of the visitors, some of whom recognized them from the blog. I hope they  will be our honored guests at every Open House we host. A deep and enduring new tradition.

This Friday, I will get to work on the stories they are writing for our writing project. Perhaps in October, they can read from it. That is something to look ahead to.

They love receiving your letters, and July 4th is approaching (hint). Some of the names of the Mansion residents who like getting letters: Bruce, Allan, Sylvie, Jean, John Z, Tim, Ben, John R., Alanna, Reggie, Ellen, Joan, Brenda, Connie, Alice, Madeline, Mary, Barbara, William, Brother Peter, Diane, Helen, Jane, Dottie, Anita, Richard, Gerry, Charlotte, Arthur, George.

You can write the residents c/o The Mansion, 11 S.Union Street, Cambridge N.Y., 12816.