We had a great honor and beautiful experience this afternoon, we brought our Rainbow Poster  to the Mansion at the beginning of a surprisingly nasty snowstorm.

The residents flocked to the Great Room – we brought a catered lunch of soup, sandwiches, and pies from Jean’s Place – and we touched hands through the glass, a poignant way to connect with people who are forbidden to go outside or see visitors or family members.

Maria came with me (and Zinnia) and we put up our Rainbow Connection painting, with the sign “We Love You,” as a reminder to the residents that they are not forgotten or alone as they enter their second week of total quarantine.

No one in the Mansion has the coronavirus but they are the most vulnerable segment of the population, and no one is taking any chances.  There are lots of underlying conditions.

No visitors, no outings.

But nobody said we couldn’t touch hands in our own way.

That was a moving experience.

Special tables were set up for the catered lunch in the Great Room. Jean’s is returning on Friday with cupcakes and cookies for a special luncheon dessert.

And a week from Friday, the Army Of Good is also sponsoring a catered Chinese Food lunch.

The Rainbow Connection Movement is spreading all over the country.

It was conceived by out of school children in Boston and Brooklyn and Philadelphia who wanted to communicate with their friends and teachers. Rainbows are popping up in windows all over the country to convey the message that we are not alone.

And to show a kind of solidarity with one another – rainbows are all about the other side.

It was a wonderful experience, it lifted the heart up and brought smiles and laughter and love to everyone involved.

The residents painted some paper rainbows of their own, which they pasted to the windows above us.

Tonight, I bought six wooden desk easels for the residents so they can start some serious painting during this period of confinement. Kassi Garmley, the Mansion Director, asked for help in getting the easels, she thinks it would engage the residents in something creative and energizing.

I know she is right.

Because of shipping issues on Amazon, I bought the easels myself rather than post a Wish List (serious delays in shipping to many places)  and they are coming to me. If anyone wishes to contribute, they cost $198 all together, you can donate via Paypal, [email protected] or by check, Jon Katz, Easels, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. Thanks much.