Davia and I at practice: What about my piano?

 

At the end of the day I feel that I could have done more to play my piano keyboard while visiting Mom. Thank Goodness for Davia’s gentle persona and patience.

I played some days with Davia listening and coaching and I played Christmas carols. I played about 17 all together.

Davia and I had lots of fun doing this and I plan to play again when I return.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly award winning sight-loss coach and accessibility advisor, wishing you a terrific day.
 
If you would like to learn more about me as a sight-loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as a sight-loss coach and 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.

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Times to appreciate: In the backyard with Pearl and Lucy

I truly enjoyed this particular day and as I sat with Pearl and Lucy in Pearl's backyard, I could not help but thank God for giving me the chance to enjoy such good company.

The food was great, the ladies were wonderful, and the good-natured banter was simply very enjoyable.  

Pearl and Lucy made me feel like one of them and never made me feel any different because of being blind/vision-impaired.  Lucy asked several typical questions of me but I certainly did not mind.

Then, after we had drank our cups of tea, I played Pearl's baby grand piano for a while before she drove me home.  

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly sight-loss coach and advisor, wishing you a terrific day.

If you would like to learn more about me as a sight-loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as a sight-loss coach and 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.

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A momentous day! Playing Pearl's grand piano

 

This is an experience that I shall never forget.  I had never played a grand piano before in my life,  let alone a baby grand; this is what Pearl's piano was.

I am just so pleased and honoured that Pearl allowed me to play her baby grand.  She was so eager for me to play and as she listened so attentively, her puppy Bella remained lying quietly and I did everything that I could to keep my emotions intact.

The notes simply melted beneath my fingers.  The sound of the baby grand was magic to my ears and the touch of the baby grand was so gentle and easy.

What an experience for me and how I wish that Mom was here to listen to me play.  I even heard her in my mind, chiding me mildly for my playing errors.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly sight-loss coach and accessibility advisor, wishing you a terrific day.

If you would like to learn more about me as a sight-loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as a sight loss coach and 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

When determination calls:Taking my piano playing more seriously

This has been a struggle for me for the past few years but I am bound and determined to be better at this.  I have two lovely keyboards at home; a full electronic piano and an electronic multi purpose keyboard.

I got up to grade five in my piano playing as a student  and I know that Mom and Dad had always wanted me to go much further.  Truth be told, I do enjoy playing and I have composed quite a few songs.

So, onwards we go and this is going to be one of my top priorities moving forward.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly sight-loss coach and accessibility advisor, wishing you a terrific day.

If you would like to learn more about me as a sight-loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit 

http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as a sight-loss coach and 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 at author_jodhan

And like me on Facebook at

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Revival of a long lost hobby: Playing the piano for Mom

This has always been a wee bit of a challenge for me and maybe it is because she is probably my most outspoken critic, for a better description.

For some uncanny reason Mom can always spot my errors as I play and always has suggestions for improvement. In the normal scheme of things, not too many of us like to be criticized so maybe it is why I feel this way.

Some time ago as we continued to labour under the lockdown of the Covid virus, I managed to play a bit for Mom during one of our FaceTime sessions and for the first time she did not comment on my playing although I am very sure that there were some glaring errors in my mini recital.

Nevertheless, for my part I enjoyed my time playing for 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 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

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This was long overdue: Recommitting to my piano playing

For me, I think that this is a very long overdue commitment and one that embarrasses me at times. I have had two of the finest electronic keyboards in my home for many years now and yet I have never taken my commitment, or rather re-commitment, seriously enough.

So hats off to the Covid for having encouraged and driven me to make good on my recommitment. This is probably a tongue in cheek comment on my part for lack of a better comment.

So I'll do my best to commit to 3 times per week. I'll practice my scales and finger exercises and then follow this up with playing my easy-going pieces at each session. Not sure where this is going but the important thing here is that I'll get to enjoy some well-needed down time each time I play.

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

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I smiled all day! Playing the piano across the miles

The Covid-19 lockdown has definitely brought some benefits for me, like playing my piano across the miles.

Yes, and believe it or not I have managed to get back into playing my piano after all these years and I plan to play my piano across the miles.

Yes, for Mom and to have some interesting playing times with Angie in England. This will be truly playing the piano across the miles and it will be a good way for me to re-familiarize myself with my piano which has been patiently waiting for me to come back to it.

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 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 at author_jodhan

And like me on Facebook at

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She never complained when I made a mistake: When Yella listened to me play my piano

She did not come very often but whenever she did she would come quietly into the living room and there she would lie and listen.  I could hear her coming, her little feet tapping gently on the floor.  Then she would squeeze through the half-opened door and walk past me and take up her position. There she was, lying on the floor not too far from the side of the piano.

Many a time I would finish practicing my piano pieces and then I would leave her there snoozing happily away.  Some time later she would realize that I had finished and left her there and then she would come sluggishly out of the living room.  She was neither happy nor sad; she was just Yella listening to me play.

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!

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Oh, my beloved Granny! Granny's favourite song

For as long as I shall live, I will remember that her favourite song was the hymn "Bless This House."  And she never tired of asking me to play it on my piano for her.

Sometimes I would complain but there were times when I did my best to fulfill her request.   Granny never asked me for very much in my life or her life and I just wish that as young as I was I could have understood more clearly and complied more freely.

"Bless This House" is a lovely hymn.  The tune is melodious and sombre but it is the words that are so very meaningful.

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

A treasured memory: My little blue piano

I can still remember this little gem and oh how much fun I had with it.  I am not sure how old I was when my parents bought it for me but I sure remember those wonderful times as a kid.

The notes were so clear.  There were only 2 octaves without the black notes or sharps.  I was able to pick tunes on it and my brother, Jeffrey, was always along for the ride.  He was also able to pick out a few tunes and we used to sit together as we had fun.

I even learned how to play the British Anthem on it and this was my pride and joy of the day as Mom and Granny were my faithful coaches.

Christmas time was the best for me.  I used to bang out those Christmas songs and carols and Mom and Granny were my audience along with Yella, our Labrador dog.  She used to come and lie close by and most of the time she would either fall asleep or spend time listening whenever she could keep her eyes open.

Ah yes!  That was my little blue piano with its notes as clear as bells.  Not sure whatever happened to it but I'll always remember it!

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  jodhanmysterybook.club/about-the-author
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 at author_jodhan
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She was my attentive listener

She never asked for anything. All she ever wanted was to sneak into the living room on her chosen afternoons to listen to me practice my piano lessons. Most of the time, she probably laid there and slept, snoring lightly at times. Nevertheless, I always enjoyed having her as my devoted audience.

She never complained whenever I played a bad note nor did she cheer whenever I played things correctly. Sometimes I could hear her coming, her feet pitter-pattering softly into the living room. Sometimes I did not even know that she was there as she somehow managed to sneak in. I would only discover her presence when I either heard her snoring lightly or I could smell her close by.

Yes, that was my dog, Yella! A fat golden Lab with a somewhat quiet disposition. She was not the most sociable of dogs but she was loyal to the end. She played on her terms. She dictated how things were to be and she showed me who the boss was. She, however, seemed to have a soft spot for me as she always seemed to move out of my way whenever she saw me coming. She knew that I was blind.

Yes, that was my Yella, my most attentive listener!

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day and inviting you to go out there and share my stories with others. Come by any time and visit me at www.donnajodhan.com where you can listen to my audio mysteries at no cost.

My piano keys

In the majority of responses, a pianist or keyboard player would tell you that more often than not they rarely need to use their vision to play their piano or keyboard. This has always been the case for me, but somehow I still remember what they look like and I have a mental visualization of what is going on.

I can still picture in my mind where and how those black keys are placed. I can also picture the placing of the white keys and I can even assign sounds to each key. I can even picture each octave!

I keep promising to return to my musical passion, that being to compose and create my own music, and hopefully I'll be able to do this soon. Music is what makes me think better, write better, and on the whole be a better person. Music is my Soul and my piano keys are my stability.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility consultant, wishing you a terrific day and urging you to go out there and share my thoughts with others. Visit me at www.sterlingcreations.ca anytime to catch up with me.

Can All Blind Persons Play Music?

I'd like to clear up one of the more common myths that society is guilty of and it's this; not all blind persons can play music.  Too often, blind persons are classified as all being able to play music because of people like Steavie Wonder, Ray Charles, Clarence Carter, and so on.  These people are blind and they play music but please do not take this to mean that we can all play an instrument or sing.

 

For the record, I play the piano but I do not sing.  True it is that most blind persons possess more than just a bit of a keen sense of hearing, but that does not mean that they can play an instrument or sing.  Being blind does not mean that it is natural to assume that we can play music.

 

I am not sure how this myth originated but there you are.  Just a myth and nothing more.  In the same way, it is not very logical to assume that because the late Michael Jackson was one of the greatest entertainers, it would follow that all black persons should be the same.

 

I'm Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day and urging you to go out there and help dispel this myth.  To learn more about blind persons, please visit www.nfb.org.