I call it “Mansioneering.” On weekends, the Mansion requests for help usually come in by text. Tania, the Mansion aide I am most in touch with on weekends, messaged me late afternoon Sunday.

“So Ruth has taken an interest in wanting to learn about healing stones. (She sees that I wear them). However, she needs a book on the subject with large print.”

It seems a simple request, but I know that it isn’t.

Large print books are rare and getting rarer.

A quick call to my local bookstore and search on Amazon yields all kinds of paperback or kindle books on crystals, but nothing on healing stones specifically, and no large print books. Most elder care facilities are using electronic devices.

Computers pads, for example, are perfect for the elderly, who often have sight problems and have little storage space.

They are getting less expensive at the time. One day I hope to mount a fundraising campaign for reading and viewing tablets for the Mansion residents.

When I get a request like this, I’m like a dog on a hunt. I take to Google, prowl Amazon, search websites and blogs.

I e-mail Tania or Kassi and begin negotiating. How bought a book on crystal healing? How about books in regular print? Can someone read them to here? How about a heart stone or some crystals or healing books.

Could this be a class or a talk for the other residents? We go back and forth. After a half-hour, I have the names of three books that mention healing stones but which focus on crystal.

I found 16 chakra heart stones and 24 healing stones on a stone vendors website; I will give one to each person and aide at the Mansion who wants one. As I suspected, Ruth doesn’t really care if the book is about stones or crystals.

Ruth’s idea is growing; I think we’re onto something. Tania can give a healing stone class, giving each resident a stone or heart stone.

I’ve also tracked down a seller of healing stones, which come in a box. I think I could give some to Tanya, who wears them every day, and the rest, to Ruth, who I think would love these books. I’ve ordered Ruth a Helentine heart, as I know she loves hearts.

The breakthrough comes near five p.m. I’ve done ordering and know what I need to know.

Ruth would love a crystal book, and Tania would be happy to read it to her. I don’t mention the healing stones; that would be a surprise.

I love it when I can find what people need.  I am developing a success rate close to 100 percent.

Then Tania and I negotiate a catered lunch to the Mansion for July 7. We go back and forth on the menu, which can be tricky at the Mansion, where there are many special diets.

We start with sandwiches, pies and cakes, and mac n’cheese, but it’s a warm summer, and we end up with a lunch of sandwiches, potato salad, and beans.

Tomorrow I’ll call Jean’s Place and negotiate a price; my limit is $300. I’ve received more than $1,000 in donations since I requested that last week. More is coming through via the mail.

I’m dropping the food gift card program, everybody who wants a job has one now, and the Mansion aides are working extra hours whenever they wish. I’ll order some good gift cards for one refugee family, almost all of whom contracted Covid-19 and are still struggling back to health.

Things are easing up, but not for the Mansion residents, whose needs have only grown. We are catching up. Thanks for the donations; they are already being put to good use.

As soon as Tania and I settled all of our business, she texted me again: “Nancy needs some underwear.”

I got right on it; that is often an urgent need and I take it seriously.

One of my rules is that I don’t buy used or consignment underwear or personal items.

I don’t feel comfortable doing that. I believe the residents ought to have new inner clothing, not the used clothing of other people.

I have found outlets that are inexpensive and fast, with lots of references and good reviews. Still, when the residents want something, they rarely provide details. I have to track down their sizes, color preferences, and the cuts and style of their clothes.

I don’t buy bikini underwear; for example, I get high cut. I am now an expert at purchasing women’s underwear and special-sized bras.

Ruth kicked off this Mansion afternoon with a simple book request, but nothing stays simple. All requests are dynamic, they often lead to other things.

Everyone will have what they need by Tuesday, and thanks for your support and contributions.

They really do matter.

I’m happy to get the Mansion garden supplied and planted and our catered lunch program starting up.

It’s still too soon for outings, according to the State Health Department.