Yesterday, when I visited  Connie, I heard her to ask for Crochet Pads to do her knitting work, which she loves. She told me today she used to makes scarves and mittens and sell them when she was living in her own house. After some online exploration – and a bunch of messages from knitters – II figured out that I must have misheard her, and that what she was really asking for was Crochet Patterns.

She wanted easy ones.

Connie Brooks at Battenkill Books had some excellent books with Crochet patterns, and Red and I stopped by to bring some to Connie today. Just before I arrived, one of the blog readers had shipped Connie a beautiful plastic bag filled with yarn, one of the many wonderful and appreciated gifts pouring into the Mansion from all over the country (today’s mail came from Hawaii, Canada, London, Alabama, Montana, Minnesota, Florida, New Jersey, Maine, South Dakota and Missouri, I didn’t get to see the rest.

Red and Connie are fast friends, I’m told she much anticipates his visits. When Red comes into the Mansion, he makes a beeline down the hall to her room, and if her door is open, they are cuddling up and talking when I catch up.

She was eager to show Red her bag of yarn, she has a big basket full of knitting needles, she will put the yarn to good use. Thank you all so much for embracing Connie and the other people in the Mansion, an assisted care facility. It is especially appreciated during the holidays, when many of the residents feel nostalgic and alone.

I think she was happy with the Crochet Books, they had scores of simple designs, and thanks to the people who messaged me to help understand what she was asking for. Much appreciated. Sometimes advice is wanted, needed, and helpful.

I don’t wish to take advantage of anyone’s good nature, but it you wish to write Connie or any of the other residents of the Mansion, the address The Mansion, 11 S. Union Avenue, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. I can’t tell you how much they mean to the staff and the residents.