Today, Maria and I shared the weekly story readings at the Mansion, she arrived first (we had a visitor at the farmhouse, a great friend) and I joined her halfway through. I was surprised to hear her reading a short story from my short story collection, “Dancing Dogs.”

She sat between Georgianna and Nancy, both of whom love being read to.

Nancy is a sweetheart, easy going with a permanent and radiant smile. She is happy at the Mansion, she loves being there.

Everybody liked the story. I read Winky Donkey and Maria read a book I got at Battenkill Books about a witch, which everybody really loved. Zinna is no longer on a leash at the Mansion, she came in, said hello and then went to sleep on the floor (below.)

Training work really does pay off, Zinnia is completely at home in the Mansion, calm and appropriate. She never jumps up on anyone or chews on their hands or clothing. She loves t be scratched on the head.

I walked her up and down the hallways off-leash, and she even backed off the cat food she found in a dish near the office.

The storytelling is important to me, we always get a full house, and they are all regulars. I have seen that many – devout readers – just can’t see well enough to read print books. And they don’t want Kindles.

They love being read to, a labor of love for a writer.

I’m cranking up my campaign to buy scrubs for all of the Mansion aides who ask for them. And I’m buying more creamers – hot chocolate and coffee – for the Mansion Aides Break Room.

The scrubs could run between $500 and $600, I have half of that in hand.

If you want to help, you can donate any amount via Paypal, [email protected], or by check, Jon Katz, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. Mansion/Refugee Fund.

Photo above: Nancy, Maria, Georgianna. Second photo by Maria Wulf.