Sunday evening, I got laid flat by a wicked chest and throat infection, I was up coughing all night and ended up in bed this morning. Maria cooked some chicken soup (just about as good as my Grandmother’s) and put Zinnia to work as a therapy dog for me.

Everybody I know in town is sick, it feels like the flu, but probably just a head cold.

Zinnia did well. She got into bed with me, put her head on my legs and went to sleep. I got up for some lunch and a shower, but I’m having a lot of coughing fits so I’m heading back to bed.

I appreciate having a comfort compansion when I’m sick.

This week, I hope to get cracking on the Army Of Good Work.

A pair of refugee twins at Bishop Maginn desperately need some tuition help, and there are several newcomers at the Mansion who might need some winter clothes. It’s my plan to be all better by Wednesday. If not, I’ll go see my very nice new primary care nurse practitioner.

Maria says she’s never seen coughing as bad as this but I think I remember some. I’ll be up later and will check-in. Zinnia’s a natural, she knows when to be still and how to be still.

I think we will be needed in 2020, an important year for us. I’m eager and ready to plunge into the New Year. If you wish to contribute in any amount, you can do so via Paypal, [email protected] or by check, Jon Katz, Mansion/Refugee Fund, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. Thanks much.