That colorful little swimming pool

How well I remember this plastic pool! It was big enough for Jeffrey and me to swim and play in when we were but little ones. It was round with a yellow interior and rings of blue, green, and pink making up the rest of its form.

We played in it, sailed boats in it, and simply relaxed in it. Sometimes Dad would clamber in with us and we would have such fun. We placed it on our patio on a sunny Sunday and there we would have the time of our lives.

It had to be blown up of course and this was Dad's job. It had to be carefully filled with water and Dad and my brothers took care of this. My job was just to stand there in my bathing suit and enjoy the sight of the colors. I can still see them in my mind's eye, and now that I can no longer see, that's just okay. Memories sure help me!

I'm Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day.

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This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"If you either are or have been a victim of crime, violence, abuse, or bullying, and if you are simply tired of being bombarded with audios and scenes of the above, then I am asking for your support. I have written and recorded audio mysteries that are completely void of vivid descriptions of sex, crime, and violence because I firmly believe that it is time for us to use the spoken word to help influence our kids to start listening to content that is clean and healthy. By doing this we can all do our part to tackle crime in a positive and meaningful way and it only costs pennies per day.Visit my online store at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html.
I thank you and your kids will also thank you!"

The snowy streets of Montreal

Ah yes! My beloved city and the one that shall always be a part of me! How well I remember this city, from when I had but just a bit of vision to having so much vision and now to having so very little. It does not matter, however! The snowy streets will always stand out in my mind.

Oh, on a cool winter's day as I skidded and slid on the sidewalks doing my best to keep my feet under me. Or simply playing in the snowbanks with my cane as I walked home from school. Or doing my best to fend off the cold as I walked to a restaurant to meet some friends.

On an early December day as I walked on a snowy Montreal street trying to fend off huge snowflakes as they came racing towards my hair and cheeks but I knew that I could never win the battle because they were all ganging up against me; all against one! Then I would have to stand and wait for the Santa Claus parade to go by on a snowy street corner with my hands buried deep in the pockets of my ski jacket!

On a mid February day walking along and doing my best to keep my balance. Cars swishing by and me praying that I would not be splashed by any of these fast-moving cars. Then on a dreary January day as I walked with my head down,
doing my best to avoid the biting winds, the falling snow, and trying to remain upright because below the fluffy carpet of snow there was ice.

So many pictures of those snowy streets of Montreal linger in my mind and will probably do so forever. It does not matter how much vision I had or have now, these are memories forever.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/author.jodhan

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"If you either are or have been a victim of crime, violence, abuse, or bullying, and if you are simply tired of being bombarded with audios and scenes of the above, then I am asking for your support. I have written and recorded audio mysteries that are completely void of vivid descriptions of sex, crime, and violence because I firmly believe that it is time for us to use the spoken word to help influence our kids to start listening to content that is clean and healthy. By doing this we can all do our part to tackle crime in a positive and meaningful way and it only costs pennies per day.Visit my online store at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html.
I thank you and your kids will also thank you!"

The green fields of England

Ah yes, and so many years ago when I had the pleasure and privilege to experience those wonderful green fields of England. At the end of January of 2014 I returned to England for a chess theme tournament but this time I was not lucky enough to reacquaint myself with those treasured green fields because it was winter time.

I still have vivid memories of the English green fields. A springtime day when I strolled through them, enjoying the fresh British air and listening to the kids laugh and play. The green grass at my feet, a thick carpet of nature. The sun streaming down on me and the birds singing in trees nearby. The flowers blooming, sending forth their fragrance and displaying their colorful petals.

Strolling in the English green fields on a day in the fall. When the grass was still green, the sun was high in the sky but not too warm, and there was a cool wind blowing across my body. Ah yes! The air was still very fresh then but there was a bite to the winds. The flowers were starting to fold their tents for the oncoming winter and the birds had already left for their warmer climes.

Finally, a rainy day in the fall as I walked with my school friends in the soggy grass. The sky was misty and the sun was taking a break for the day. No birds, no flowers, but just the gentle raindrops falling lazily down on us as we walked.

All of this is and shall forever be in my memory bank. In those days I had very limited vision but this did not prevent me from enjoying the green fields of England.

I’m Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/author.jodhan

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"If you either are or have been a victim of crime, violence, abuse, or bullying, and if you are simply tired of being bombarded with audios and scenes of the above, then I am asking for your support. I have written and recorded audio mysteries that are completely void of vivid descriptions of sex, crime, and violence because I firmly believe that it is time for us to use the spoken word to help influence our kids to start listening to content that is clean and healthy. By doing this we can all do our part to tackle crime in a positive and meaningful way and it only costs pennies per day.Visit my online store at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html.
I thank you and your kids will also thank you!"

Remembering the playground

Ah yes! One of my favorite memories, remembering the playground at my grade school. It was big and airy. It was outdoors and oh so grassy. There was so much space for us kids to jump, run, hop, and skip. It was like Heaven to me and I just loved to go out at lunch and play.

I used to just enjoy walking in the thick grass and how I remember those cool mornings when we used to go out and practice for sports day. Us girls would walk arm in arm to the playground and there those with functional vision would help to coach those of us with not too much vision. I fell into the second category and so I had coaches, so to speak, to help me out.

There was a flat part and then there was a bit of a hilly part. There was a sandy part and then the large grassy part. There was the jungle gym for us to climb and swing on and then there was the swimming pool! There were no obstacles in our way for us to run into and hurt ourselves. The boys played cricket and soccer and the girls ran and played.

Ah yes! Memories of my playground!

I’m Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/author.jodhan

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"If you either are or have been a victim of crime, violence, abuse, or bullying, and if you are simply tired of being bombarded with audios and scenes of the above, then I am asking for your support. I have written and recorded audio mysteries that are completely void of vivid descriptions of sex, crime, and violence because I firmly believe that it is time for us to use the spoken word to help influence our kids to start listening to content that is clean and healthy. By doing this we can all do our part to tackle crime in a positive and meaningful way and it only costs pennies per day.Visit my online store at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html.
I thank you and your kids will also thank you!"

Walking on the jetty

This is probably one of the most interesting sensations for me: walking on the jetty.

When I had enough vision to appreciate my surroundings, I used to love to walk on the jetty and admire the water lapping at the jetty's structure. It was so lovely, water gently lapping at the jetty and a fresh crisp breeze blowing through my hair and down my cheeks. Sun shining down on me or a bright moonlight overhead.

This was when I could see but now it is somewhat different walking on the jetty with practically no vision. I often do this with family members in attendance. They walk very closely beside me and go out of their way to describe my surroundings: boats in the bay or sailing out to sea. Other people walking along and swimmers enjoying the peaceful ocean. Fish jumping high into the air some distance away and me and my family just walking along on a pleasant and almost perfect day!

Sometimes the jetty would shake slightly as the water lashes it. Sometimes it is moist from the water's spray and at other times it is dry and hard. Sometimes the surface of the jetty is hot to the touch while at other times it is cool and it all depends on the time of day.

Ah yes! Memories of my beloved jetty!

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan.
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This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"If you either are or have been a victim of crime, violence, abuse, or bullying, and if you are simply tired of being bombarded with audios and scenes of the above, then I am asking for your support. I have written and recorded audio mysteries that are completely void of vivid descriptions of sex, crime, and violence because I firmly believe that it is time for us to use the spoken word to help influence our kids to start listening to content that is clean and healthy. By doing this we can all do our part to tackle crime in a positive and meaningful way and it only costs pennies per day.Visit my online store at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html.
I thank you and your kids will also thank you!"

Memories of the mountains

Oh yes, my beloved memories of mountains! Just thinking of them makes me quiver with such emotion. Those majestic mountains! I can still conjure up memories of them all!

First off: Memories of the Air Canada aircraft approaching the mountains of Trinidad! Those majestic mountains standing proudly and happily as if to say, "Here we are! Come and say hello to us!" They were simply beautiful, and so densely populated with houses of all sizes, trees, and rolling greenery!

Then the mountains near the beach of Maracas in Trinidad! Hauntingly beautiful and simply standing there for any and everyone to admire! So many other mountains to remember in various countries. Mountains of all sizes! Mountains of all shapes! Some of them more densely populated than others! Some with more greenery than others! Some of them taller than others! Some of them towering over valleys and others standing over rolling hills!

Ah yes! My beautiful mountains forever and maybe some day I'll get to see all of this once more.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan.
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This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"If you either are or have been a victim of crime, violence, abuse, or bullying, and if you are simply tired of being bombarded with audios and scenes of the above, then I am asking for your support. I have written and recorded audio mysteries that are completely void of vivid descriptions of sex, crime, and violence because I firmly believe that it is time for us to use the spoken word to help influence our kids to start listening to content that is clean and healthy. By doing this we can all do our part to tackle crime in a positive and meaningful way and it only costs pennies per day.Visit my online store at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html.
I thank you and your kids will also thank you!"

Memories of a skyline

Oh how much I simply love to sit and remember images of various skylines! Now that I am no longer able to see anywhere near enough to do it live, I find another way to perpetuate my memories. On any quiet evening I sit in my favorite chair in my den and do just this. Or I may sit on my mom's patio and allow my imagination to drift lazily upwards to those special memories.

Toronto's skyline is probably one of my favorite memories, followed closely by that of Montreal! Those gigantic office towers standing tall and proud with so much light reflecting off of the magnificent glass windows. So many buildings for me to remember: The CN tower, the Air Canada Center, the various hotels and so much more in downtown Toronto and similar landmarks in Montreal.

The one thing that I need to remember is that my memories of those skylines are probably outdated now, since losing my vision in early 2004, the skylines of both cities have changed so much! That's okay, though! I can still use my memories to keep me on track.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan.
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This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"If you either are or have been a victim of crime, violence, abuse, or bullying, and if you are simply tired of being bombarded with audios and scenes of the above, then I am asking for your support. I have written and recorded audio mysteries that are completely void of vivid descriptions of sex, crime, and violence because I firmly believe that it is time for us to use the spoken word to help influence our kids to start listening to content that is clean and healthy. By doing this we can all do our part to tackle crime in a positive and meaningful way and it only costs pennies per day.Visit my online store at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html.
I thank you and your kids will also thank you!"

The different colors of lights

I still love to play this game with myself whenever sleep has decided to play tricks on me. That is, whenever I am unable to enter dreamland quickly.

I have always enjoyed watching colors and it is probably one of the greatest things that I miss now that I am unable to see. My imagination almost always kicks into high gear whenever called upon.

I imagine the colors of lights as easy as anything whenever I want. Red reminds me of an evening in December, ice skating around an outdoor rink. Red lights winking back at me as I skate around with an ice cold wind in my face. A yellow light reminds me of the headlights of cars as they travel along a busy street or neon signs on the fronts of stores.

A green light reminds me of cars getting the signal to go about their business. Purple reminds me of a night at the disco and it is the same for blue. Orange reminds me of a low lit room where everyone is talking in hushed tones. Pink reminds me of anything that is confusing to me after I have had one too many to drink!

These are my memories for what they are worth. The colors of lights on a night when I am unable to sleep. Red, yellow, green, purple, blue, and pink!

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan.
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This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"If you either are or have been a victim of crime, violence, abuse, or bullying, and if you are simply tired of being bombarded with audios and scenes of the above, then I am asking for your support. I have written and recorded audio mysteries that are completely void of vivid descriptions of sex, crime, and violence because I firmly believe that it is time for us to use the spoken word to help influence our kids to start listening to content that is clean and healthy. By doing this we can all do our part to tackle crime in a positive and meaningful way and it only costs pennies per day.Visit my online store at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html.
I thank you and your kids will also thank you!"

That Air Canada silver jet bird

Oh how beautiful she was to me! Gliding lazily over a rich blue Caribbean sea with the sun blazing down on her! She was big but graceful! She was fast and noiseless and she was the best!

I shall always remember her each time I travel to the Caribbean. In better times I used to board her on flights to the Caribbean, but sadly enough she no longer goes there!

So many of us used to stand and simply admire her beauty! I for one always looked back at her each time I disembarked at the airport! There she would stand, proud and upright! She sparkled or rather glittered in the warm Caribbean sunshine and her maple leaf displayed so proudly on her sleek body!

Yet another memory for me to keep carefully treasured in my memory bank. I can no longer see things like this type of image but that's okay! I have it all memorized!

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/author.jodhan

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"If you either are or have been a victim of crime, violence, abuse, or bullying, and if you are simply tired of being bombarded with audios and scenes of the above, then I am asking for your support. I have written and recorded audio mysteries that are completely void of vivid descriptions of sex, crime, and violence because I firmly believe that it is time for us to use the spoken word to help influence our kids to start listening to content that is clean and healthy. By doing this we can all do our part to tackle crime in a positive and meaningful way and it only costs pennies per day.Visit my online store at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html.
I thank you and your kids will also thank you!"

My memories of the skies

For as long as God gives me breath and for as long as he allows me to remember, I shall forever have memories of my beloved skies!

As blue as the deep blue sea, or as blue as they could be, this is what I remember! A golden sunrise in the East or an orange pink sunset in the West! These are the images that my beloved skies shared with me when I had enough vision to see.

There were so many pictures and images to store away in my bulging memory bank. Puffy white clouds! Low hanging dark ones, and all of them racing each other across the wide blue expanse. Large colorful rainbows lying peacefully up above! The huge smiling face of the moon shining down on me and stars high above winking at me! Reds, yellows, pinks, oranges, blues, whites, purples, all making up a world of color for me.

Oh how I loved to just sit and watch my beloved skies! In the morning, at noon, in the evening and finally at night! Memories forever! I never tired of looking up at the skies!

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/author.jodhan

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"If you either are or have been a victim of crime, violence, abuse, or bullying, and if you are simply tired of being bombarded with audios and scenes of the above, then I am asking for your support. I have written and recorded audio mysteries that are completely void of vivid descriptions of sex, crime, and violence because I firmly believe that it is time for us to use the spoken word to help influence our kids to start listening to content that is clean and healthy. By doing this we can all do our part to tackle crime in a positive and meaningful way and it only costs pennies per day.Visit my online store at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html.
I thank you and your kids will also thank you!"