Peggy (above) is the Bingo Queen this week, she won three or four games and took the stuffed bunny as her prize, she wants to give it to her nephew. We had a lively game, lots of winners, fast games, fun banter.

Friday nights are an important part of my work at the Mansion. The Bingo game draws good crowds and fills up the dining room, we always get kidded because we are always a few minutes late. They value this hour and the mean to get a full one.

On Fridays, I get to talk to the aides, Tia and Hollyanne tonight, we catch up on things, I learn about new arrivals and departures. I always ask if anybody needs anything, and I got a bunch of requests for things tonight, the change of seasons always brings that.

There are lots of new people.

I often think of Joan, but she is not coming back and it is doubtful that Sylvie will return either, but I don’t really know. I am getting to know the new people and  trying to figure out what they need.

I’m getting light summer pajamas for Barb, her pajamas are all fleece.

Wayne asked me for help in getting volumes 6 and 7 of the Harry Potter series. Ruth asked for a couple of rope bracelets like the ones I wear.

I am getting a CD for the son of one of the aides. Tim wants some copies of Mad Magazine, he says he is writing an ironic/ satirical  book and needs some inspiration.

I’ve ordered a Haunted House computer game for Peggie and some 300 and 500 piece jigsaw puzzles (Peggie loves 300 and 500 word puzzles, if you have any used ones in good shape, please consider sending them to Peggie, c/0 The Mansion, 11 S.Union Avenue, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.)

I owe Ellen a stuffed animal, one of hers is lost.

The residents are sparing in their requests., I am grateful they trust me to help them get things modest they need, or just want badly. I see it lifts there spirits when that happens.

I have been watching the summer shirts Wayne is wearing and I ordered him a new polo shirt for the winter. I have to ask Wayne if he wants something, he will never ask himself but will tell the truth if I ask him. He likes to tell Red if he needs something while I am close by.

Wayne and Ruth still seem very much in life, they hold hands and joke with each other. Wayne was very happy to win two Bingo games, he takes his games seriously. Maria calls half of the games, I call the other half.

I try to sing when I can, it drives the residents crazy. And I bring my meditation bells to ring for the winner of each game.

I am waiting to list the Mansion residents for letter writing, until the dust settles a bit, and the list has some real value. That should be  next week. Thanks for your support.

If you wish to contribute to this work, you can contribute via Paypal, [email protected], or check, Jon Katz, Mansion Fund, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.

Thanks, this never gets old or tiresome for me, it is, I think, why I am here.