I’ve been working on getting winter clothes to every one of the Mansion residents who need them, the most difficult and stubborn problem has been winter boots for Nancy, one of the pioneer members of the Secret Garden Club – Georgianna, Nancy, Bert.

I tried three different consignment and thrift stores at first, but Nancy has complex size issues with her feet and her hands (it took three times to get the right winter gloves for her.)

After the fourth failed attempt – we gave the four that didn’t fit to other residents – I went online and found the right size. I was delighted to show up today for my weekly Meditation Teaching class and see the new boots on Nancy’s feet.

She says they are warm and comfortable. And they keep her feet dry.

My shopping and search skills have been greatly refined since I began the Mansion and refugee work. I don’t ever give up, and if you try enough times, you’ll get there.

A lot of the Mansion residents have odd size needs for various medical reasons. Shopping for them is not usually simple.

I sleep a lot better knowing every resident at the Mansion now has the gloves, jackets, boots, hats and flannel nightshirts that they need. Nancy is the last one I know of although more people come into the Mansion all the time.

It was great to see those boots on Nancy’s feet today.

Thanks for supporting my Mansion work.  You can contribute in any amount via Paypal, [email protected] or by check Jon Katz, Mansion Fund. P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.