16 August

Bert In The Great Room

by Jon Katz

It was a photographer’s light in the Mansion tonight. I was lucky, I brought my monochrome black and white camera, and a used old Leica 500 mm lens. I love the lens, but I need a special light for it, and I got it tonight.

I handed out a bunch of Fall sweaters and heavier shirts, the chilly nights are not too far away. Bert took one of the sweaters and went to sit in the Great Room, just as the slight from the setting sun touched on her.

Bert and Georgiann are close friends, they trade clothes and cigarettes all the time (smoking is only allowed outside). There is inevitable isolation to the elderly, even when they are surrounded by other people.

It’s as if every experience of aging is special, different. A kind of aloneness sometimes.

Peggie asked me for a Furby for her birthday, it’s on the way.  I’m getting some Leggos for the young children of the aides, I know they don’t have a lot of money for presents and toys, especially the young single mothers.

Ellen had a Bingo Prize, she asked for a stuffed animal instead. Stuffed animals are very important to her. I ordered a bear.

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