Mary is one of the quietest and shyest residents at the Mansion. She admits that she cannot ask for help or even receive it at times. I’ve figured out over time how to work with her. I ask her three times, and the fourth time, she accepts and thanks me.

I asked her three times if she wanted one of Patricia Benward’s beautiful hand women lap robes. I’ve visited Mary in her room, and I know she gets cold in the winter.

Monday, she said no, and this morning, before and after meditation class, she said no twice. I talked to some other residents and then came into the Mansion with one of the robes, and I asked Mary if she is sometimes cold. She said yes.

I asked if she would like this free lab robe, made by a gifted weaver in New Jersey. She looked at it and said, “why yes, I would love to have this when I am sitting in my room and reading or thinking.”

She said she was very grateful. Even if you can’t quite grasp the process, you can just roll with it.

We had our first frost last night, and when I went to the Mansion for my meditation class, Georgianna and Nancy were out smoking in the Secret Garden, smoking and talking. I brought Georgianna one of Patricia Benward’s beautiful lap robes, she was so eager to take it she jumped up and kissed me.

She sure needs and deserves one, she is outside almost all during the daylight, and sometimes in the evening. Patricia’s lap robes are not only warm, but they are also beautiful.

Peggie has had the toughest time finding bedroom slippers that fit and that also have high backs to keep from falling or slipping, and are also warm. She went to Wal-Mart two times and had to return the slippers.

I got her measurements and went online and found a good pair her size (her own estimation of size was wrong) that were also fur lines, and with wide bottoms and a high back.

She was happy and relieved. And warm.

If you wish to support the Mansion work – we commit small acts of great kindness continuously – please send your contribution to me via Paypal, [email protected] or by check, Jon Katz, Mansion Fund, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. Thanks.