I was worried about raising money for the Mansion support yesterday. I got almost no response when I asked for help raising money for Christmas tablecloths. I decided to ask again, and the answer was generous and immediate. I wanted to thank you. By this morning, I’d received more than twice as much as I requested; more is coming.

I bought the Christmas tablecloths and plastic covers for each one this morning; they should arrive on Friday. This will be the fifth set of tablecloths I’ve sent to the Mansion for every season of the year and one as a backup for spills or accidents.

The total cost was $372; the overage will go into the fund, which has been hungry lately. I appreciate the donations; I know people are struggling now, and the Trump-era insanity almost seems normal. God Help Us.

The Christmas tablecloths. Arriving Friday.

In the once proud senate, one senator challenged a witness to a fistfight yesterday on television, and 82-year-old Bernie Sanders shouted at him to sit down and be quiet. The senator was neither silent nor embarrassed; he said returning to the old days when senators beat one another with canes would be good.

What has this to do with the Mansion? Everything. The Army of Good stands for many things: our desire to see a gentler and more compassionate nation.

The Mansion residents are a stand-in for the forgotten and the needy. We have funneled a lot of money into their lives for clothing, blankets, toilet supplies, shoes and sneakers, and medical equipment to keep them safe during the pandemic.

This work stands for kindness and empathy. So many good people are out there, eager for the chance to be good to the vulnerable. I laugh sometimes; I’ve become a leading authority on women’s bras,  paint supplies and canvases, men’s socks, underwear, and used mysteries.

The Mansion residents stand for the best in us during a time when our leaders enthusiastically encourage the worst in us. The most important thing to them is to see who shows up. The Army of Good Shows Up, again and again.

We keep the flames light in helping the Mansion residents, who often feel forgotten. We are a generous and compassionate nation. One day, that impulse will return. In the meantime, we have been keeping it alive.

Thanks so much, Army Of Good, for reminding me that you are still out there, waiting for a chance to be good and do good. Thanks for the idea of goodness and your willingness and eagerness to bring light to darkness.