It’s easier to please people than I sometimes think, and also sometimes cheaper.

I’m fleshing out my small acts of kindness campaign for the Mansion residents, but also for the Mansion aides. Everyone is going stir-crazy in there, no visitors, family members, friends, volunteers or therapy dogs permitted. No walks or outings.

It’s a creative challenge to help from a distance. I’m under house arrest, I am now not allowed to go anywhere.

It will be a while before they open up the Mansion to outsiders.

I might be able to sneak Zinnia in there to say hello at mealtimes, I’m waiting for permission (I can’t go with her, but she’ll love anywhere there’s food and god knows they’ll sneak stuff to her, as they always do. And the aides know her, they just have to keep her away from the cat food.)

The residents are getting restless and anxious, the aides are tired and overwhelmed. How are we helping?

First off, I’ve found 150 masks and they are coming over the next two weeks. Maria made one for each aide. They are a hit. They are washing and re-washing the masks, many are coming apart. If any of you make masks, please send them to The Mansion, 11 S. Union Avenue, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816..

We are starting up the Pen Pal program again. You can e-mail messages to [email protected] or mail cards and photos and letters to The Mansion, 11 S. Union Avenue, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.

The residents will respond if they can.

The residents who wish to participate are Ellen, Matt, Gerry, Sylvie, Joanne, Madeline, Brother Peter, Helen, Georgianna, Georgiann, Barbara, Alanna, Linda, Nancy, Annette, Peggie, Becky, Jean, Roberta (Bert), Tim, Ben, John, Claudia, Ruth.

Sue Silverstein and her art class are joining this program, e-mailing scores of messages to their new Pen Pals. These messages from the outside world are more important than ever.

I find it’s easy to improve the lives of the residents and aides with food.

Jean’s Place is bringing meals and desserts to the Mansion several times a week, the residents are loving this and looking forward to it. The cupcake and pie and cookie delivery on Friday was a huge sensation.

The folks at Jean’s welcome the work. I am excited to be bringing different elements of our work together.

Every evening, I order two medium pizza’s from Clark’s Pizzeria on Main Street in Cambridge, they are open for take-out. One is a Pepperoni Pizza, the other is a vegetable pizza. This breaks up the evening and spares them institutional food, which is healthy but not always exciting.

I’m proposing a special Pizza Lunch for the residents on Tuesday or Wednesday (it costs $250 for 43 people, residents, and aides)

The pizzas are delivered to the Mansion front door, I co-ordinate it with the aides so they know to watch out for the delivery van.

I hope to order pizzas every evening for the night crew, and sometimes for the aides at lunchtime.

We sold out a  Wish List last week sending art supplies and an Ipad to the Mansion for Julia, the Activities Director.

I’m trying to figure out how to get local newspapers brought there every day, I’m reluctant to commit to subscriptions, I’m not sure why.

I think that brings us up to date. Thanks for your support. If you wish to contribute, you can do so via Paypal, [email protected], or by check, Jon Katz, Mansion Fund, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. Thanks so much.