She was quite a dog! Yella's likes and dislikes

I can honestly tell you that this dog of ours sure had a personality.  She was her own dog and she marched to her own drum. 

As a puppy she was short, round, and a pretty little girl.  She was a golden lab who simply loved our family; in particular my dad.  She could be serious and she could be playful.  She could be sociable and she could be a loner.

Then one day she became a mom and after that she simply became an adult and never looked back.  She asserted herself as the madam of the Manor.  She did as she pleased and did it in style.  She barked when she had to, played on her terms and hid from us whenever she wanted.

This was our Yella, with her likes and dislikes.  A dog who enjoyed whatever she wished with no one to stop her.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit
www.donnajodhan.com.

There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minute mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.donnajodhan.com/takeanother5.html.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
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Forever in my heart: Memories of the Bell Center

Oh, my beloved Bell Center!  Memories forever in my favourite city of Montreal and on a beautiful Sunday so many years ago. I, along with my best friend Char, and  Joan and Heather went ice skating at the famous indoor rink.

We skated for so many hours it seemed.  We laughed, chatted, fell a few times, and got up again. 

We once reminisced on those happy days, when the spirit was free and time was ours to do as we pleased. The sun rose and we were still chatting and drinking wine, and there was not a care in the world. 

I still remember that wonderful and super Sunday.  And after we had finished ice skating we treated ourselves to ice cream and some Montreal favourites. 

A Sunday that shall forever remain in my heart and one that I often wish would return.  The Bell Center forever in my heart and memory.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit 
www.donnajodhan.com.

There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minute mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.donnajodhan.com/takeanother5.html

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
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A revelation: The first day that I saw the screen

Despite it being so many years ago, I still remember and it happened shortly after I got my first cornea transplant.  And no, it was not a computer screen, it was a TV screen.

I can still remember simply standing there with my dad alongside me.  He pointed to the screen and started to describe what was going on.  I followed his steady finger with awe and soon enough I was so excited to be a part of his world.  The world of vision.

The screen was lit up with colour, movement, and images.  Dad was so very excited to be describing things to me and then Mom joined us, laughing and so excited to share our excitement.

Then I started to watch the hockey playoffs with my favourite Montreal Canadiens playing and winning.  I watched the news every day with Dad and he even joined me to watch the Flintstones at noon every day.  Mom and I watched other things as well.

Such happy times with my loving parents.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit
www.donnajodhan.com.

There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minute mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.donnajodhan.com/takeanother5.html

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

All in a day's work: Devices and devices

There are devices and then there are devices.  Those that are extremely accessible and usable and those that are not so accessible and usable.  Then there are those that are not at all accessible or usable for me as a vision-impaired person.

There are devices that come with well-written manuals in an electronic or Braille format and then there are those that only come with a print manual. Same for all instructions.

So, which is my favorite?  It is the device that includes easy to follow, friendly tutorials, electronic documentation, and if there is Braille then this is a nice to have bonus.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit
www.donnajodhan.com.

There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minute mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.donnajodhan.com/takeanother5.html.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

A challenge for me: Discovering when the head of the toothbrush is worn out

I know that the head of those cordless toothbrushes usually has a bright blue stripe and that when the head is worn out the blue stripe fades into oblivion.  However, for me as a vision-impaired person, it is next to impossible to see this.

So, I have discovered another way and here it is.  When the head is brand new, the toothbrush makes a loud and vibrant sound but as the head starts to wear down, this sound gets less and less noisy.

I have proven this to myself through some observing and I know this to be true as I checked with my mom during my observing.  I am just happy that I can figure this one out so that I don't need to depend on sighted assistance to tell me.

Additionally, the toothbrush gets progressively slower in its strength.  So, there is another indicator.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit 
www.donnajodhan.com.

There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minute mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.donnajodhan.com/takeanother5.html

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
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Tons of fun and memories for a lifetime: Shoe box shopping with Sue

I will honestly tell you that next to making up boxes of clothes at Thanksgiving to give to the less fortunate, this is probably my favorite thing to do.    You see, it not only gives me the opportunity to shop for toys for those kids far away in Eastern Europe, it also gives me a chance to relive my childhood.

So, for the past 4 years my friend, Sue, and I have gone to the Dollar Store to fill our shoe boxes with toys for the kids.  I had been doing this long before I met Sue but she, like me, really also enjoys doing this.

So, off we go on the chosen day and we fill one box for a little girl and another for a little boy.  We fill our boxes with all kinds of things: from tiny dolls and tea sets and things for a girl's hair to crayons and balls and cars for the boy.

It is probably one of the most fulfilling days for me.  I simply love doing this.  My imagination races as we walk up and down the aisles. But most importantly, I get to enrich the dreams of some unknown kids, wherever they are!

The colors remain in my memory bank and feeling the shapes is so refreshing to me now that I can barely see anything.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit
www.donnajodhan.com.

There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minute mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.donnajodhan.com/takeanother5.html

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

A snapshot memory: Remembering Edwards Gardens with Linda

It was a cool spring morning when Linda and I went walking through Edwards Gardens in Toronto.  The air was fresh and clean.  The sun was nice and warm and we could hear the birds calling to each other.

We strolled leisurely through the Gardens, listening to nature as we walked and chatting amiably.  I could hear woodchucks.  I could smell the perfume of the flowers and I especially enjoyed listening to the fast-flowing rivers whenever we crossed bridges.

The paths were crowded with others out for the same reason as us.   Everyone seemed to be enjoying the same things, wonderful weather and communicating with Mother Nature.  Everyone seemed so intent on soaking up everything that Edwards Gardens had to offer that day.

What a lovely memory for me and I was sure glad that Linda took the time to spend the day with me.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit
www.donnajodhan.com.

There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minute mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.donnajodhan.com/takeanother5.html.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

So long ago but never to forget: The gardens in Montreal with Bernice and Harold

This is probably one of my most delightful memories of Bernice and Harold. Bernice was my economics professor at Concordia University in Montreal and ours was a very special friendship.

Bernice went out of her way to befriend me when I was her student and our friendship grew to include her husband, Harold.  We went so many places and the Botanical Gardens in Montreal was just one of them.

On a bright, sunny, summer Saturday the three of us visited these marvelous gardens.  Bernice and Harold and I walked around for several hours and simply took the time to explore and discover.

We walked among the colourful flower beds that were overflowing with all kinds of flowers.  We enjoyed the beautiful weather and simply soaked up the ambiance.  We saw so many different things, ranging from fast-flowing brooks where kids were playing in the cool water with their boats and canoes, to couples walking hand in hand, young boys playing soccer and baseball, and toddlers being driven around by their parents and older siblings.

Such a gorgeous day with such very special people; I shall never forget Bernice and Harold.  They have both passed on now and I thank them both for having come into my life.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit 
www.donnajodhan.com.

There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minute mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.donnajodhan.com/takeanother5.html

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

A cherished memory: The Botanical Gardens in Trinidad

As I write this I can still vividly remember so many wonderful childhood memories of times spent frolicking with my family in these Botanical Gardens.   How well I remember running and playing with my siblings and cousins.  Playing ball with my parents.  Running and chasing our beautiful dog, Yella.  Walking along the various paths, riding the scooter, and so much more.

I always used to cherish those times when my parents would tell us that we were going to the Gardens and then I would race to get ready.  It was almost always a family outing with my parents, brothers, and granny getting into the family's car.  We often went there on late evenings but there were the morning outings, as well.

Then, whenever my cousins came over to spend time, my parents would take us to the Gardens.  Yella often came, as well, but sometimes we left her at home and I can tell you that she was not a happy dog!

Those wonderful fragrances of blooming flowers, birds singing in the trees, lush green grass and laughter of other kids around us shall forever remain in my mind.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit
www.donnajodhan.com.

There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minute mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.donnajodhan.com/takeanother5.html

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Well done, Microsoft: The Microsoft number

I am really happy that Microsoft has a phone number that someone who is vision-impaired can call into.  It sure helps and staff here are able to remotely log in to one's computer and help solve problems.

For the most part, support technicians are very helpful and well trained. They know their stuff but every now and then they may seem to falter.  I know that with time they will improve and I can only congratulate Microsoft for doing this.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit
www.donnajodhan.com.

There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minute mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.donnajodhan.com/takeanother5.html.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan