Trying again: A CCB Mysteries revival

This initiative is very near and dear to my heart and so when I got a chance to revive my chapter in late January 2020, I grabbed it.

It was sort of unexpected but with a bit of hard work, creativity, and good luck I feel confident that things will improve in time.

I have now identified ways to contribute funds raised to very important initiatives to send kids with special needs to camps. Thanks to friends in Ottawa, Kim and Shelly, we should be able to create a radio camp for kids as soon as conditions are right.

Then, thanks to Sister Helen who runs a pottery studio, I look forward to making a contribution to sending kids with a disability to pottery camp.

There will be opportunities for my chapter to collaborate in various fundraising activities as well. So patience, patience!

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 http://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.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan

And like me on Facebook at

www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

A good time was had by all: CCB mysteries event, May 03

On May 03, 2019 my CCB mysteries chapter, in collaboration with the CNIB, held a fun evening event. This was our spring event and for the most part it came off as a success.

We served light refreshments and our resident fortune teller, Jason, was a hit. We also played some mystery games and even had time to put on a skit.

The audience was small but quite lively and they appeared to be engaged at all times. A good time was had by all and this is going to help us plan for our next CCB Mysteries event in the fall.

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 http://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

Subscribe to my monthly newsletter!

'Let's Talk Tips' is my monthly resource for the most current and reliable informational tips available in the areas of Technology, Nutrition, Media, Business, and Advocacy.  http://bit.ly/ADJSubscribe

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan

And like me on Facebook at

www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

I enjoy! My other passion

I guess that when it comes to my other passion there are so many for me to choose from. But, after my work and before my chess playing, knitting, and pottery, comes my passion to write mysteries.  

This has always been my passion and it has certainly taken over a huge chunk of space in my schedule from time to time.  

Yes, I am guilty of having neglected my work on occasions to go off and write mysteries and I humbly submit that I have been quite successful with my Crime Crushers audio mysteries series.  

I have written 3 seasons along with a 12 Days of Christmas box set and I have some special plans to write a second Christmas box set along with some mini series for podcasting.  

Lots of big plans but not sure how/when I’ll be able to accomplish 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 http://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

Subscribe to my monthly newsletter!

'Let's Talk Tips' is my monthly resource for the most current and reliable informational tips available in the areas of Technology, Nutrition, Media, Business, and Advocacy.  http://bit.ly/ADJSubscribe

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan

And like me on Facebook at

www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

One of my favorite passions: Dinner mystery evenings are for me

In 2010 I started off writing and producing my own audio mysteries and this quickly grew into other things.  Today I not only write and produce my own audio mysteries, I sell them, broadcast them across the Internet, and now I have expanded my business to include dinner mystery evenings.

I have adapted these events to include full audience participation where I write mysteries that are, for the most part, fictional satire.  The audience has their say as to who they believe did it and even a jury is chosen from the audience.

I love it all and so far so good.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, 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 at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Remembering the crabs

This is probably another of my favorite childhood memories but in those days I did not have enough vision to clearly see them. So I had to depend on the descriptions of siblings, parents, and other family members.

Yet, for all of this I managed to develop my very own version of a crab and I have to admit that my version was not very close to reality.

I imagined the poor little crabs to be gigantic with huge claws and pincers. I was always afraid of them and one day I was baby sitting one in a paper cup. I stuck my fingers in and it almost had them for its supper.

Then the day came and I was able to see the crabs for real. No, they were not what I had imagined them to be. No, not too cute looking but nowhere as big as I had imagined them to be.

My first opportunity to see what a crab really looked like came on a warm sunny day at the beach and my dad drew my attention to a small red crab crawling along. He allowed me to look at it for a few minutes and then he picked it up and placed it gently in my hand.

He told me to stand very still and stood beside me as the crab crawled around in my hand. Nothing to it, the crab never bit me. It simply crawled around and after some moments I placed him on the sand and he just simply
scurried away.

Another cherished memory for my memory bank.

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

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit my online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html and you can even take advantage of my free downloads!
Or subscribe to my free monthly newsletter at www.donnajodhan.com.

Dear Readers:
This is a personal request from me for you to join my campaign against bullying (CAB).

In 2012 I launched my own campaign against bullying in response to appeals from friends and associates. I decided to try something new and here it is.

You can support my campaign against bullying (CAB) and in return for your valuable contribution I will send you a thank you gift. Visit www.jodhanmysterybook.club to learn more. I will use all contributions to promote workshops to help others protect themselves from bullying and teach them how to launch their own anti bullying campaigns.

In addition, I will produce blogs and podcasts to help me spread my campaign and to convince others to do the same.

You may also visit my online store at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html and browse through my selections.

Help me to stop the spread of bullying and to show others how to combat bullies.

About my audio mysteries: Patterned after the "Murder, She Wrote" and "Murdoch Mysteries," where mystery is the order of the day. Meet Detective DJ and the Crime Crushers. You won’t want to miss out on any of her audio mysteries! Filled with gripping drama and unbelievable plots, you won’t be able to stop listening until the very end and then you’ll be craving for more – there is mystery behind every mystery!

Detective DJ writes and records her own audio mysteries. She uses the power of words to create and solve her crimes, and then she draws you in and before you know it – you’re all caught up in the plot! But alas, at the end of it all, when you think you’ve identified the perpetrator, she surprises you once more and you’re left absolutely stunned and amazed!

Trying to fix an iPhone

Have you ever tried to help fix an iPhone with no screen showing? This is what happened to me a few weeks ago as I offered to help solve the problem of a sick iPhone.

It belonged to my niece, Martha, and before I tried my sister-in-law had told me that the screen was black. This somehow did not worry me too much as long as I have voice-over it does not matter whether or not the screen is black.

So off I went, hoping and praying that I could solve the mystery. I did a hard reset by pressing the two appropriate buttons and the encouraging indicator of a vibration soon greeted me, but alas! My luck ended right there.

I could hear the voice-over telling me that I was cycling through the various versions of the hello screen but with no sighted indicators to help me tap on the right spot, nothing could be done. I could not even get the iPhone to respond to my taps with clicking sounds.

So much for my having tried to help. In short, neither sighted assistance nor I could solve the problem.

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

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit my online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html and you can even take advantage of my free downloads!
Or subscribe to my free monthly newsletter at www.donnajodhan.com.

Dear Readers:
This is a personal request from me for you to join my campaign against bullying (CAB).

In 2012 I launched my own campaign against bullying in response to appeals from friends and associates. I decided to try something new and here it is.

You can support my campaign against bullying (CAB) and in return for your valuable contribution I will send you a thank you gift. Visit www.jodhanmysterybook.club to learn more. I will use all contributions to promote workshops to help others protect themselves from bullying and teach them how to launch their own anti bullying campaigns.

In addition, I will produce blogs and podcasts to help me spread my campaign and to convince others to do the same.

You may also visit my online store at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html and browse through my selections.

Help me to stop the spread of bullying and to show others how to combat bullies.

About my audio mysteries: Patterned after the "Murder She Wrote" and "Murdoch Mysteries," where mystery is the order of the day. Meet Detective DJ and the Crime Crushers. You won’t want to miss out on any of her audio mysteries! Filled with gripping drama and unbelievable plots, you won’t be able to stop listening until the very end and then you’ll be craving for more – there is mystery behind every mystery!

Detective DJ writes and records her own audio mysteries. She uses the power of words to create and solve her crimes, and then she draws you in and before you know it – you’re all caught up in the plot! But alas, at the end of it all, when you think you’ve identified the perpetrator, she surprises you once more and you’re left absolutely stunned and amazed!

Somewhere over the rainbow

It is not very often that anyone has the good fortune and privilege to see a rainbow in the sky but I can tell you that when I had my sight, I was one of those persons.

I am not sure how many rainbows I got to see before I lost my sight but how well I do remember a rainbow in the sky. There it was, just literally lying there in the sky. So very colorful, so very peaceful, and one of the prettiest things to behold!

On almost every occasion I would be sitting in a chair outside and on my own and then I would happen to look skyward and voila! There was my pretty rainbow just lazily looking down at me!

Some of the time I would sit there just staring upwards and then if I felt like it I would call to others to come and see but for the most part I would prefer to enjoy my rainbow by myself.

The other day my mom spotted one in the sky while we were sitting outdoors on her patio and she proceeded to describe it to me. My memory began to wander back to those other days when I was able to see it for myself.

The rainbow had not changed; it was still its loveliest self. Colorful, large, and simply lying there in the sky on a peaceful late evening.

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

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit my online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html and you can even take advantage of my free downloads!
Or subscribe to my free monthly newsletter at www.donnajodhan.com.

Dear Readers:
This is a personal request from me for you to join my campaign against bullying (CAB).

In 2012 I launched my own campaign against bullying in response to appeals from friends and associates. I decided to try something new and here it is.

You can support my campaign against bullying (CAB) and in return for your valuable contribution I will send you a thank you gift. Visit www.jodhanmysterybook.club to learn more. I will use all contributions to promote workshops to help others protect themselves from bullying and teach them how to launch their own anti bullying campaigns.

In addition, I will produce blogs and podcasts to help me spread my campaign and to convince others to do the same.

You may also visit my online store at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html and browse through my selections.

Help me to stop the spread of bullying and to show others how to combat bullies.

About my audio mysteries: Patterned after the "Murder, She Wrote" and "Murdoch Mysteries," where mystery is the order of the day. Meet Detective DJ and the Crime Crushers. You won’t want to miss out on any of her audio mysteries! Filled with gripping drama and unbelievable plots, you won’t be able to stop listening until the very end and then you’ll be craving for more – there is mystery behind every mystery!

Detective DJ writes and records her own audio mysteries. She uses the power of words to create and solve her crimes, and then she draws you in and before you know it – you’re all caught up in the plot! But alas, at the end of it all, when you think you’ve identified the perpetrator, she surprises you once more and you’re left absolutely stunned and amazed!

As an audio mystery writer

What started off as a hobby has now turned into a thriving business for me, and boy am I enjoying it. The one thing that I would say is this: Being blind has not stopped me from pursuing my new part-time career.

I can use my imagination and the sky is the limit! I have created a character named detective DJ and I have patterned her after much of myself. This exciting character not only solves crimes in a unique way with her team of crime crushers, she writes and records Christmas mysteries that are thrilling, scintillating, and riveting. Mysteries that are refreshing and filled with hope, joy, and cheer and then there is more.

Detective DJ is heavily involved in campaigns against bullying! On behalf of kids who are blind, on behalf of women who are vulnerable, and on behalf of the true victims! Yes! Being blind is no barrier to my new part-time career.

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/authordonnajodhan.
Visit our online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html
and you can even take advantage of our free downloads!
Or subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at www.donnajodhan.com

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"Each time we raise our voice at someone else we are engaging in bullying! Each time we raise our hands to slap or punch someone else we are also engaging in bullying and each time we engage in actions to either manipulate or force someone else to do what we want we are also engaging in bullying!

There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heroes and role models are the ones who have made us proud; those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"

Meditations from my rocking chair

Ah yes, for a breath of fresh air and just that simple precious moment to sit in my rocking chair and meditate. This is probably one of the few times that I get to sit and allow my imagination to wonder and ponder.

I am not going to wonder what it could or would have been like if my vision had not left me and I do my best to stay away from the big what if question. Instead, I allow my imagination to wonder far afield and to fetch those precious and cherished memories. So many for me to choose from and I never tire of retrieving them and examining them whenever I can.

I will tell you that having become an audio mystery writer has helped me to preserve my memories. I just love to sit in my rocking chair and meditate on stories for my audio mysteries. I started writing in 2010 and to date I have written three seasons of episodes consisting of 13 mysteries per season. I am presently writing a special suite of mysteries for Christmas time and I have titled it the 12 days of Christmas. I plan to write a special box set for kids as well.

Ah yes! I do all of my meditating from my rocking chair and that's the way I like it! Just those precious times when I can sit quietly, relax, and meditate!

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/authordonnajodhan
Visit our online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html
Or subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at www.donnajodhan.com.

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"Each time we raise our voice at someone else we are engaging in bullying! Each time we raise our hands to slap or punch someone else we are also engaging in bullying and each time we engage in actions to either manipulate or force someone else to do what we want we are also engaging in bullying!

There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heroes and role models are the ones who have made us proud, those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"

Memories of a bus ride

This particular bus ride happened when I had enough vision to see out the window of the bus. It was memorable to me because it took place on a trip from Montreal to a lake in the country. It was summertime and as the bus traveled along I had the pleasure of sitting in a window seat. I could see outside and marveled as the bus drove quietly on its way.

I saw trees in full bloom loaded with thick green leaves. I saw fields with animals walking and standing around in them. I saw kids playing in the fields, as well, and I saw some houses with clothes hanging on wash lines.

I admired the shrubbery as we drove along and I loved seeing all the different colors. As the bus neared the lake I sat and took it all in.

The peaceful lake with boats sailing gracefully by. There were some swimmers, too, and people walking on the beach. Oh, how I loved it all and I can still bring up this memory whenever I need to.

Of course, I can no longer see and appreciate these sites, but you know what? I have my precious memories well preserved in my memory bank forever.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day and inviting you to go out there and learn more about the world of blind persons by visiting www.nfb.org.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan.
Or you can chat with me on Skype at habsfan0526.
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!"

Memories of a waterfall

Oh, how well-preserved is this memory! It is saved in my memory bank forever. It sits there and can be recalled at a second's notice. I often use this memory to help me relax and recharge, but most of all I use it to help me visualize those huge plumes of white water shooting into the air and then falling backwards into the lake.

I can clearly remember the waterfall at Niagara and others as well. Just sitting there and watching the white water go on its way. I also remember one that I saw in a small lake as I sat there with my friends on a grassy bank on a summer's day.

Water has also fascinated me, from the ocean to the lake and from the lagoon to the river. That huge mass of white water jumping high into the air is no different. Ah yes, my memory of a waterfall forever.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day and urging you to go out there and share my memories with others. Come by any time and visit me at www.sterlingcreations.ca.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan.
Or you can chat with me on Skype at habsfan0526.
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 talking Bible

Yes, you heard me correctly! My talking Bible and I have had this now for a few years. It really did not cost me very much, about $70. It looks like a small book and I can easily fit it into my purse or briefcase.

It works by batteries and also comes with a power adapter. The buttons are on the side and there is an on/off switch, and selector buttons for choosing the chapters within the various books of each testament. The narration is in a very clear voice as well.

I take my talking Bible with me on trips and I enjoy listening to it. It does the job for me and the good thing about it is that I can shut it off and then return to my spot when I turn it on again as it remains in the spot that I left it at before shutting it off. My talking Bible is truly a Godsend.

Who would have thought that something like this would have been possible? Of course, there are online Bibles available as well and before my little gem came along I had obtained a Bible on CD. It sure beats having to store a Bible in Braille that would take up so much room on my book shelf.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day and inviting you to come purchase my audio mysteries at www.donnajodhan.com. For literally pennies you can now enjoy exciting and dramatic mysteries written and recorded by me.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan.
Or you can chat with me on Skype at habsfan0526.
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!"

Dealing with dust

As a blind person it is often difficult for me to deal with dust. Dust on my counters, dust on my dressers, dust on my clothes and shoes, dust everywhere.

So how do I deal with this natural challenge of life? Well, I have a recipe which works most of the time and here are the ingredients: patience, more patience, and taking time to find it and remove it. No, it may not be the perfect recipe but it sure works for me.

I let my hands and fingers do the walking and finding, so to speak. I use my fingers and hands to find the dust, and to remove it. I really do not like the feel of dust under my hands and fingers but I put up with it. I methodically remove the dust so as not to knock over objects on my counters and dressers. With regard to my clothes, I am extra careful to brush outwards and away from the affected piece of clothes or garment so as not to allow the dust to blow back on to them.

Sometimes, of course, I may knock over something that is in my way and this can't be helped but I say to myself that it is all in a day's work. I dust regularly so as to avoid having to deal with too much dust. I am constantly checking for dust but you know what? I do it once weekly so as not to drive myself crazy.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day and inviting you to expand your easy listening by visiting my audio mysteries at www.donnajodhan.com.
Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan.
Or you can chat with me on Skype at habsfan0526.

When the radio suits me best

There are some who prefer the TV, others who prefer the Internet, and then there are some like me who prefer the radio. It all has to do with our preferences and how we like to receive our information.

I sure recognize the importance of both TV and Internet but here are the times when radio suits me best. When I am at work in my office and I can keep up to date while I work. I find that when I am working the TV is often a distraction and in the opposite way the radio seems to soothe me best.

When I am in the car on my way somewhere, the Internet and TV are off limits to me. When I am elsewhere, TV and Internet are not available. Example, on the beach, while walking, in a restaurant, and so on. I really find that the radio is more of a friend or companion to me while I am outdoors. I find that I need to concentrate more when I listen to information on the Internet. I use the radio to keep up to date with breaking news, to listen to easygoing music, and of course, sporting events!

I often find that radio announcers are much more descriptive than their TV and Internet counterparts, but alas! Those watching TV and Internet programs can see what's going on and I am unable to do so. So here is where the radio fills the gap for me because everyone is on the same playing field; no one can see what's happening on the radio.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day and inviting you to expand your easy listening by visiting my audio mysteries at www.donnajodhan.com.
Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan.
Or you can chat with me on Skype at habsfan0526.

Discovering the gym

My curiosity got the better of me some time ago and I decided to bite the bullet and ask my friend to give me a tour of the gym. I am really not sure why I was always a bit hesitant but I was sure glad after I had my tour.

My friend was a very good tour guide. She placed my hand on each piece of equipment and explained each knob, lever, and button to me. She then allowed me to explore for myself and described all aspects of each piece of equipment to me.

I tried out the exercise bicycle, the treadmill, the stepper, and the rowing machine. I felt these pieces of equipment from front to back and at the end of it all I had a much better idea of how things felt and looked. My introduction to the gym.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day. Come by and listen to some of my audio mysteries at www.donnajodhan.com.
Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan

What happened when the boxes got mixed up

At the best of times, I am normally super careful whenever I return home from my grocery shopping. I am ever so careful to ensure that I can identify the differences among tins, cans, and boxes but on this particular day something did not go right for me and I had to spend some extra time identifying some of the boxes.

It is usually easy to distinguish the various boxes of stuff. This is done based on weight, size, shape, and by shaking to ensure that it is, indeed, what I think it is. For example, boxes of jello are easily distinguished from boxes of cornflakes and boxes of shake and bake are easily distinguished from boxes of crackers. However, here is where the problem came for me.

I could not easily distinguish the difference between the box of shake and bake and the box of mazza balls. To make matters worse, I could not distinguish the difference between the boxes of stuffed chicken breasts and hamburger patties.

First I shook then I measured the boxes to see which was larger. The weight seemed to be equal and the sizes were an exact match. Smelling them would not have helped me on that day. So what did I have to do at the end? Open up each box and then examine the contents carefully by touch. Bingo!

Success! The shake and bake had a familiar smell and contained plastic bags for shaking. The mazza balls did not. The burgers were round and the stuffed chicken breasts were long. At last, I resolved my problems that day.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day and inviting you to share my blogs with others. Come by and listen to my audio mysteries at www.donnajodhan.com.
Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan.

Those crossword puzzle books

How well I remember having been able to work with these. They were large print crossword puzzle books and when I had enough vision to read and fill in the boxes, they brought so much joy to me. At that time they were the best things that I could lay my hands on to help keep my mind ticking.

I used to spend hours at a time working with them. With pen in hand, I would adjust my lamp over the crossword book and then proceed to get to work. Most of the time I would be able to fill in most of the boxes but there were times when my frustration was certainly there.

Large print crossword puzzle books can certainly benefit not just those who are partially sighted but seniors who have difficulty negotiating the fine print. More large print crossword puzzle books are coming onto the market and now that I can no longer see to work with them I would encourage anyone with family members or friends who have difficulty reading fine print to purchase these.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day and inviting you to go out there and tell others about those large print crossword puzzle books. Come by and visit me at www.donnajodhan.com to listen to some really exciting audio mysteries.
Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan.

Bicycling with Dad

These precious memories shall forever remain in my memory bank. As early as I can remember, Dad and I used to bicycle whenever we could. In those days, my vision was very limited but it never stopped me from wanting to bicycle with him.

My first bike was a four wheel one and then I graduated to the three wheel and finally to the two wheeler. Dad was always there to be with me. At first, he walked alongside me as I rode and then when I got good enough he bicycled next to me.

My favorite memories were those of riding on the beach with him. He cruised along with me and allowed me to cycle as fast as I could. Then, when he felt that I was ready, he challenged me to races. I am almost sure to this day that he almost always allowed me to win. That was my dad: always encouraging, motivating, and challenging.

We rode mainly in the morning or late in the afternoon. As I rode I would look towards the waves breaking gently against the shore and then down at the golden sand. Dad never failed to give me a running commentary of everything that was around me as we rode. From a description of the blue skies and white clouds, to the rolling waves and blue green sea and fishes jumping in the ocean close to shore to children playing on the beach and parents strolling close by. So many wonderful memories to last a lifetime.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day and urging you to go out there and share my blogs with others. Come by and visit me at www.donnajodhan.com and there you will find some really interesting and exciting audio mysteries written by me.
Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan.

In a new kitchen

At the best of times, it is almost always a challenge whenever anyone has to get used to a new kitchen. For a blind person like me, it is even more difficult.

I need to learn my way around my new kitchen. I need to ensure that I can find my appliances: stove, microwave, fridge, and toaster oven. I need to be able to find the various cupboards and to be able to locate what I seek: plates, bowls, cups and saucers. I need to be able to find my cutlery and kitchen towels, and of course! My tins and cans, boxes and packages, and let me not forget my pots and pans, dishes and more. I also need to find my way around my counter tops.

I tackle my new kitchen in a methodical way. First I identify what I need in order to be functional then I make sure that my cupboards and drawers are all organized in an orderly manner so that I can find what I need. All in a day's work.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day and inviting you to go out there and share my thoughts with others. Come and listen to my audio mysteries at www.donnajodhan.com.
Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan.

Remembering the balloons

How well I remember the days when I used to have a sort of fear versus love feeling about balloons. On the one hand, I would be terrified that they would suddenly pop in my face, but on the other hand, I used to love to just play with them.

I was told that when I was a baby, my granny used to hang a balloon in my crib and that I used to love to lie there and just look up at it. This was her way of helping me to use my limited vision as I was born blind.

I used to love to play with balloons as a kid and I especially remember loving all of the various colors of them all. I would toss the balloons in the air, two and three at a time, and then stand there and watch fascinated as they glided back towards me.

I remember, too, that balloons were mainly present at Christmas time and I used to look forward to when my mom and dad would bring them home to my brothers and me. I would wait patiently as they were hung and then I would sit and just look up at them.

They really fascinated me in those days. The way they moved around on the dangling strings, all bunched together. The various sizes and shapes all combined to capture my attention. Such wonderful memories for me.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day and inviting you to go out there and tell others about my memories. Visit me any time at www.donnajodhan.com if you would like to listen to my audio mysteries.