Maria is teaching her art class at the Mansion even as I’m writing this. She decided the art class could make their own wreaths for Christmas and spread them through the Mansion.

Yesterday, she went out into the woods and collected all kinds of twigs and berries  (safe ones) and then went to the dollar store for things to put on the wreaths and found some beautiful old ribbons in her studio.

This week is about giving and gratitude for us. Life has given us many gifts, including each other. We appreciate it, every day.

I’m going to the Mansion to join the class and take some photos, and then Maria and I will head to Dr. Daly, the surgical podiatrist in Saragota, to see how my problematic foot is doing. I hope to get out of these surgical shoes if nothing else.

We’ll be back this afternoon; I’m planning to write about the growing conflict between the “woke” and the new Neanderthal politics supported by many of our elected officials.

I just realized what being “woke” means.

I’ll get more flower photos up; they are apparently doing a lot of good.

Thanks to Janet for the first response to blog support. She sent me $5. Truthfully, I appreciate this very much.

Small contributions matter and they add up.

I’m sure it was a sacrifice for her, and it means the world to me. Thanks, Barbara. You can support the blog via Paypal, [email protected], or Venmo – Jon-Katz@Jon-Katz -13 or by check, Jon Katz, Blog Support, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.

More later.