It is cold outside! The high temps all week will be in the low 30's. V doesn't like these frosty days and neither do her support staff. The zoos that she enjoys so much are closed for the season. The horseback riding lessons get cancelled often because it is too cold or because V does not like riding indoors on rainy days. No one is interested in walking in the parks in the frigid weather.
As I documented mileage for reimbursement, I noticed a lot of trips to the mall for community outings. The mall is a nice warm place to walk and get some exercise and there is certainly a lot to look at and eat there. However, I was thinking that too many trips to the mall between now and the warmer temps of Spring could get stale and boring. Of course we still have the Indoor swim center, the library, the bowling alley, the movie theater and various restaurants, but what else can we do?
We live in the suburbs and there are lots of businesses that can help V learn more about the community that she lives in and how things work. Time to get a little creative.
Where could V go, close to home, where she hasn't been before? Something new and interesting.
I began pulling up online photos of florists. There is one close to our home. I printed out directions to it for support staff. I pulled up photos of floral arrangements for various occasions; birthdays, weddings, funerals, new baby, and get well. I printed them out and cut them up. The next morning I helped the support staff do a gluing activity with V, using the florist pictures, as we talked about what the different flower arrangements were for, and what a florist does. Afterward, I asked V, "Do you want to go see the flowers at the florist?" She responded, "Yeah." So, a while later, off she went with her staff, to the florist. I wondered all day how the outing would go. V came home with an african violet that she purchased at the florist. Her staff reported that she was very interested in the flowers, the posters on the wall, and the ribbons the florist used. It was a successful outing and now V knows what a florist shop is. The staff said that they tried to go to the post office with her, but it was crowded and she got upset there. Well, I suggested that some preparation before visiting a new destination would be helpful next time, the way we prepared for the florist in advance.
I spoke with the staff about other possible community destinations that might be interesting; maybe a bakery, maybe the dry cleaners, the pharmacy, NTW or an automotive supply store, or Krispy Kreme to watch the donuts get made. Perhaps a local dance studio would let her watch a class. Perhaps a visit to see a fire truck could be arranged. There a lots of interesting places in D.C. or Baltimore to visit, but parking close enough to those attractions is a problem in those places.
I think, with some imagination and preparation, we could make this winter interesting instead of routine and introduce some new experiences. As always, ideas are welcome from readers.
