Finding projects that can be done by a mixed age group or a mixed ability group is not easy. I need something that is easy enough but not so easy that it's boring or childish. Everywhere I go I'm on the lookout for ideas. The library, the craft stores in my area, the book store, any craft show that I go to and the craft programs on TV are just a few of the places. The Therapy Resources INC web site has just been updated and two new products that were added, The Sensory Garden and The Biblical Garden, are something that seems to meet the need. I haven't tried them but they seem just easy enough and would be usable for more group activities after they are started. We'll see how they do, they're on special until April 15.

I am so glad that I went to see the Smithsonian's Orchid Express exhibit. It was lovely to see and smell all of those beautiful orchids. The other exhibit that we saw when we got back here on Sunday was one of the remaining copies of the Declaration of Independence ( there are 23 left). It was on display until Sunday as part of a larger exhibit about the Presidency. People didn't really seem to notice it in the display case or paused only for a moment before moving on. I thought that it was pretty amazing that there was a print in such pristine condition. It looked new. It was how the news was spread then, printing copies and posting them in various places and reading the copy aloud at some prominent public places.
The Therapy Resources site has been really busy this month so far. The Healthy Hints page and the Mexican paper flowers page are vying with Amiable Activities and Cook Create Cultivate for the most visits. But as St Patrick's Day approaches I think that the What's the Story page will bubble up to the top because this month it has an Irish Folktale to try for a group storytelling activity.

I am reading the Angry Houswives Eating Bon Bons (Lorna Landvik) book after all since I ended up going to Washington for a couple of weeks. That takes me out of my usual schedule and once the business of the day is done provides me with some downtime. Things have changed around here a lot since last year. There are several news buildings going up and new stores are replacing the old ones. The results are mixed; the buildings are not adding to the landscape but taking away from it and the new stores are nice but I miss the old ones. The other nite we went to a preview of a musical that has been off Broadway, Betty Rules it was a fun lively show. A couple of people actually climbed over the seats and danced in the aisle in front of the first row.