I invited Mansion Activities Director Julie Harlin and three residents out to lunch at the Round House Cafe, walkers and all. We had great fun. The lunch was itself an outing, and we all told stories and jokes. I asked Julie and the residents for ideas about Spring and Summer outings they might like to take now that the weather is warming.

I am working on an outings program, every couple of weeks I ask Julie to chose several residents who want to get out and we pick a cafe or diner or restaurant for lunch. I love this program, we never stop laughing.

Peggie cracked all of us up by saying deadpan that she wanted to go to a male strip club – that silence me for a second, until she broke out laughing. Peggie has a wicked sense of humor.

Tim and Bob also came. It was a good natured group. I invited all of them to come to the Bingo came Maria and I run every Friday evening for an  hour.

We kicked a lot of good ideas around. There is an Adirondack Animal Park with a see-through safari everybody wanted to see. They all loved going on picnics especially if there is some music. There is a park in Saratoga Springs where people can ride on tiny trains into the woods.

They love to go on picnics, they are easy and inexpensive. We only have to bring some food or snacks. Outings are essential for the residents, they keep them from falling into passivity and depression.

We talked about going to Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts. I proposed boat rides in the Spring and Summer on Lake George. Julie said that thanks to the Army Of Good, she still had half of her budget left, and she would plan small outings like the one today at the Round House.

There are complications for outings. By law, there has to be a certain number of staff on hand. There are bulky walkers to transport, and vans to sign up for. I helped order and set up the food and water, Peggie had fresh clam chowder, the rest of us had sandwiches.

I have to say we had fun, they loved getting out and I loved joking and kidding with them. They all asked where Maria was so I called her and she came in to say hello. Red was out in the car, I don’t like bringing him into restaurants. Not everyone loves dogs.

The Mansion residents are a gift to me, they ground me and challenge me. I am always thinking of things they need and places they might go to get outside and see the world. I introduced them to every one at the Round House, they love talking to people.

So I’m launching my Spring and Summer outings program, armed with their good suggestions. If you wish to help, you can send your donations to my post office Box, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816 or via Paypal, [email protected]. And thanks.