Day: September 21, 2018

I felt low-hearted today, pulled down by the other hurricane, the deluge of angry and joyless and painful news, and the epidemic of angry and disconnected people in the world.

I decided this morning to claim the light, with my color camera, and then with my monochrome, which I’ve neglected for a couple of moths. I’m like that, I plunge into one passion, then another. We I claim the light, I find myself becoming more radiant, inside and out.

I decline to let them pull me down, to make me as low-hearted as they are. It is not always easy to claim the light, especially during times of crisis or difficulty or stress. But when I find myself complaining, or nursing wounds or slights, or brooding about some rejection or cruelty, I keep my disciplines close to the heart, and I can step over my own shadows and into the light of my truth.

The task is to claim what is bright and beautiful, and there is always something that is bright and beautiful, and that is the choice, To find what is bright and beautiful or to stay in the shadows.

I can claim the light. I found  it in this jar filled with flowers, and then again with my monochrome black and white camera out in the meadow with the dogs. I’ll share some of the photos.

It is always a joy to watch Red and Fate work with sheep at the same time. Red is businesslike, focused, professional. Fate is joyous and quite under control, but missing all of those border collie push-the-sheep around attributes.

it works well for us, and I think for her. When Red gets too old to herd the sheep, I’ll just have to think of something else. People love to watch Fate do her thing as they love to see Red do his. I’m lucky to have them both. And I’m grateful I had the good sense not to push Fate beyond where she could or wished to go.

There is probably no sweeter way to start the day than looking at Robin with her new puppy Sandy, they they are quite in love with each other, and  there is a sweetness and joy to that which transcends all of the sorrowful bickering and squabbling and cruelty of some humans.

This brings out the best in us, the love in us, and the good feeling. These two will alter each other’s lives and are so lucky to have found one another. Good work, Emma.

The Mansion work depends heavily on the Army Of Good. In recent weeks, I’ve applied some of my own money to give the residents some of the small things they urgently need, and our fund is now down to $600, which won’t last too long.

I want to stay small but not too small.

Small donations are as welcome as large ones, you can send your contributions to Jon Katz, c/o. P.O Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816 or via Paypal, [email protected]. Please mark the donations to “The Mansion.”

I like to keep the fund between $1,500 and $2,000 any support will be appreciated.

This summer, we have done a lot. In addition to supporting the Mansion Wish List and sending streams of letters, we’ve bought clothes for people who needed them, one or two air conditioners and fans, books and a camera for Tim, whose leg was amputated, we send hundreds of CD’s for the residents to watch,  funded a wonderful boat ride, four or five outings into down, and various art and other supplies.

The Amazon Mansion Wish List program has been a stunning success, we’ve bought everything on the lists more than 20 times. Thank you, the Army Of Good is…well, good.

The Mansion is a Medicaid facility, nobody has much money and they are living on the edge of life. We have made a stunning difference in their lives.

We have purchased a fireplace insert that glows and crackles, a new wheelchair scale that is easy to use, a CD player and CD’s for Joan, sweat pants and underpants, shirts and jackets, shoes and bras, and several musical afternoons.

Now, the blog is supporting the Mansion’s “map” project in which members of the AOG send short descriptions and/or photos of the towns they live  in to [email protected] to put up on a big map of the U.S. The residents are very excited about this map.

If you prefer, you can mail your comments on your town to Julia, The Mansion 11 S.Union Avenue, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.

The blog readership is all over the country, it should be a great map.

Tonight is Bingo night at the Mansion, Maria and I also call the games each week and scour the area for good prizes. Your help is essential and appreciated, and thanks. Please remember that $5 and $10 and $20 are very welcome contributions, as are larger ones.

It all adds up. Donations go to Jon Katz, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816, or via Paypal, [email protected]. Please mark the contributions to “The Mansion.” Thanks.