I am confined pretty much to the house (I can do Meditation Class tomorrow at the Mansion) until Thursday when my stitches are supposed to be removed, and I can shower, walk, and return to everyday life if I can call it that.

Nothing is better for healing or feeling good than doing good and taking nice pictures, and I can do a lot of good while recuperating at home. I’m working at it. I’m asking for help buying a train set for the Mansion (below), and I got help purchasing books for my meditation class.

It was a good night.

Most people are good, given a chance.

Yesterday, An Army Of Good warrior named Wendy offered to pay for  Joan Chittister’s excellent book on aging, The Gift Of Years, to be purchased for my Mansion. I wrote on the blog that I promised everyone in the Meditation Class who wanted one  – I’ve been reading from the book for weeks – their book to read or to share.

Wendy read about it on my blog and jumped right in. I am grateful. The residents will be pleased; almost everyone has asked for a book copy.

I decided to buy seven books; they can each be shared by two people. I never asked for money. I’ll get more if necessary. Thanks so much, Wendy; you are an angel. The books are on the way.

Yesterday, I began a fund-raising campaign to buy a train set for the Mansion to be placed in the Great Room with steam, remote control, whistles, and track.

I’ve found the right one at a hobby shop in Saratoga Springs. The cost will be $450. The Mansion Fund doesn’t have enough for that.

Last night, I raised $250, not counting donations sent in the mail. I need $250 more (I’ll need some accessories later – buildings, fake grass, houses, people, etc.)

(Ours is the one at the bottom)

This is a beautiful idea from Mansion Activities Director Paryese Bates Beckre, who enriches and transforms the activity program. She asked me for help in raising funds. This has been a dream for her for a long time. I’d love to help it come true.

I know the residents will love it.

I hope to raise the remaining money over the next day or two; I know things are difficult for many people, but this small act of great kindness will do a lot of good. The Army Of Good has never done more.

Those who didn’t see the original request or are thinking about helping can contribute via Paypal, [email protected] or Venmo, Jon-Katz@Jon-Katz-13 or by check, P.O. Box 205, State Route 22, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.

I was deeply touched and grateful for the small donations – $5 and $10. They matter, and I appreciate them.

You can also donate with most credit cards on my Support the Blog page. Any overage, if there is one, will buy a community to build around the railroad tracks.

I am working on this with the Adirondack Train and Hobby shop to ensure we get the correct set of the best quality and durability; they are advising me and helping me choose the right train set that is fun and easy to set up and run.