It would seem inappropriate to call Alice and Jean my girlfriends, but there is something too it. I love these two, they often walk together in the hallway to prop up each other on the way to the dining room, and they are two sweet and shy and loving people.

Alice is my date on the Mansion outings when I am there, she takes my hand and I help guide her. Jean has a wicked sense of humor and a great love of dogs.

They were each married a long time, and think of their late husbands often. They both love living in the Mansion now, they feel safe and cared for there. They are a lot of fun to be around, their spirits and minds are strong and sharp. Alice is in her 90’s, Jean a decade younger.

She is also obsessed with housekeeping and often decides to vacuum the Mansion carpets for the fun of it. Whenever I take their photo, the laugh and blush, and they ask me if I want to break my camera. I tell them they are two beautiful women, and the camera very much loves them.

Jean misses her dogs very much and has a dog bed and a stuffed dog by her bed. You can write Alice (left) or Jean c/o The Mansion, 11 S. Union Avenue, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.

A reminder that Halloween is coming up and the Mansion will have some kind of holiday celebration. Letters and messages and favors will be much appreciated. Send Halloween decorations to Julie Smith, Activities Director, The Mansion, 11 S. Union Avenue, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.