We are approaching the end of summer, back to school, our October Open House, the season of change, the transition between summer and winter. I thought it’s a good time to consider what is next for the Army Of Good, and perhaps to give  all of us a chance to take a deep breath.

We have done so much this year, from filling the refugee warehouse with supplies in January and February helping Devota pay off her loan in August, and about a thousand things in between. I want to thank you again, we have again and again achieved our goal of doing good rather than arguing, and in so short a time.

Every time I asked for help, you responded,and scores of  refugee children and adults and as many elderly residents of the Mansion have benefited greatly from this work, which has just begun, at least for me, and hopefully, for you. I think the Army of Good is for real, and here to stay.

I feel morally obligated to give this amazing new kind of Army a bit of a short breather,  a chance to give our bank accounts a rest, and for me to gather information, distribute our dwindling reserves wisely, and prepare for what comes next. I can hardly believe what we have accomplished, how many lives we have touched. I feel gratitude and humility.

I hope to continue filling the holes in the Mansion residents lives and support the refugee children and their parents as they navigate their new lives in America. I’m not going to halt that work, even for a minute. But I am not ever comfortable asking people for money, and I think it’s good to take some time off from that.

In September, I am joining the celebrations for Assisted Care Week, we are sponsoring a “pizza party” at the Mansion on September 11, for the residents and staff, and a boat ride on Lake George on September 14th, and the publication of “Tales Of the Mansion,” a collection of short stories written by the residents.

Ali  and Brother Francis at RISSE are going on vacation, and the school will take some time off before  the Fall after school program kicks in. We are sponsoring a retreat at Pompanuck for the RISSE kids in September, and we have ordered their new soccer uniforms. I’m going to propose a boat ride to Ali when he gets back from the Sudan,  where he is attending his sister’s wedding.

I am scheduled to meet with a half dozen refugees and their families to hear their stories and write about them and see if they need help. I’m planning a trip to the Statue Of Liberty for the students of RISSE.

The past six months have been among the most rewarding of my life, and I hope the next six months will be even better. I do admit to being near exhaustion sometimes, I have felt this more acutely in the past few weeks.

I’ve been racing all over this read to meet people and take their photos, plus working to finishing my next book (“Gus And The Small And Big Lessons Of Bedlam Farm), due out sometime next year,  sorting out and depositing money. There is so much good work to do with the refugee and immigrant families, and the Mansion residents.

But I don’t wish to take advantage of you good people, you deserve a rest and so do your bank accounts. Mine does.

It’s been an intense and challenging time.

I don’t want to be asking for money every time I write. I will continue raising money for Devota’s loan payments and will work to thoughtfully dispense the $2,000 or so remaining in the refugee/Mansion bank account I set up to separate this money from mine. My blog writing will continue as usual.

I have to take a breather myself or the top of my head will blow off, and I need to finish my books with some thought and care and still help run the farm and maintain my blog and take my pictures. Red and I will still be doing our therapy visits, and Assisted Care Week will be a hoot.

In mid-October, after our Open House, Maria and I are heading to New Mexico for a little over a week, we have found a beautiful bed and breakfast south of Santa Fe, and will use that as a base to relax and  explore New Mexico, take some photos. I will be blogging from there, at least a photo a day.

It would be wonderful if you could send some decorations or pennants or favors or photos to help celebrate Assisted Care Week on September 11. We don’t need any money, we have enough for the pizza. (The Mansion, 11 S. Union Avenue, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816), Everyone at the Mansion so loves the things you have been sending on holidays. The Mansion residents would, of course, love to keep reading your letters and seeing your photos and cards.

If you have any spare change lying around and wish to help replenish this fund for the fall – we spent a lot of money on air conditioners and boat rides paying off refugee loans – you can sent it to my post office box – P.O.  Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., or paypal, [email protected].

I will of course be blogging about the Mansion residents, etc., throughout. I just thought this wonderful Army deserved a bit of a break.