My Mansion Meditation class was hot today. I’m on a campaign to lift the spirits of the Mansion residents, still recovering from their pandemic isolation.

Zinnia seems to have captured the urgency of the Mansion work.

This morning, she went to each person in the meditation class and said hello; they got a faceful of kisses when they leaned over.

She zeroed in on Julie, who is hard of hearing and urgently needed for summer clothes. She has what she needs now.

We went on Headspace and listened to a digital guided meditation on Appreciation.

Then we meditated silently for ten minutes. I talked about breathing, and we did some slow breathing exercises. This class is really working, and I love teaching it.

I’m buying shorts, shrubs for the Mansion aides, distributing Amish bracelets and necklaces (which are much loved), and buying $32 worth of crazy socks from Carroll’s Trading Post, a consignment store that has been kind to the Mansion residents.

Today, I’m bringing two six-packs of Pepsi to Charlie (we’re going fishing next week, the pollen needs to settle down), four pairs of socks to Nancy, two summer shirts, and two pairs of shorts for Julie.

Tomorrow, 52 tomato stakes are coming to the Mansion and a Butterfly growing kit complete with caterpillars.

Last week I got four bags of manure for the garden, 12 packs of flower seeds,  and seven hanging plants for the porch.

We also got an umbrella for the table outside where the aides take their breaks on nice days.

The clothes, socks, garden supplies are all things that greatly affect the residents’ moods. It’s true; the little things can really matter.

We bought four pairs of sneakers for the new residents, all men who had one pair of shoes or two or three falling apart.

We bought ten rolling cards so the aides could distribute medications much more easily and also be prepared in case there was another quarantine.

I’ve distributed $800 worth of Wal-Mart gift cards to three Mansion aides in need of food support.

Zinnia and I are making extra visits to the Mansion, now that we can come in as we wish, and the Memory Care Center, which has been especially cut off from the world. We bought 10 memory boxes for the Memory Care Center.

The Mansion staff and residents were traumatized by the pandemic., I can’t describe it in a better way.

Spring, flowers, games, gardens, clothes, necklaces, flowers, shorts, and summer shoes are helping visibly, along with soap, body wash, stories, and meditation.

And I did spend some of my own money, as I often do when there is great need. It’s only fair that I contribute as well as everybody in the Army Of Good. I wouldn’t ask people to do anything I wouldn’t do.

Maria has jumped in and is going to the Mansion with a great art project. They love her.

And yes, I could use some financial support.

If you can and wish you, you can contribute to my Mansion Fund, now down to $200, via Paypal, [email protected], or Venmo, [email protected]. You can also contribute by check, Jon Katz, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.

Small checks are very welcome, as are big ones. The residents and the aides have come through a dreadful, fearful, and exhausting time.

Wal-Mart Gift cards can be purchased in any amount. They must be activated by e-mail. If they total more than $300, they must be sent to me at this address: Jon Katz, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.

If you prefer, you can send a check to me at Jon Katz, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 1286, send a contribution to me via Paypal or Venmo [email protected] I can get the gift cards.

We are turning a corner, and thanks so much for your help. It’s good to be on fire again. The pandemic didn’t stop us, but it did slow us down.