Setting the Big Ben clock

When it is not possible for you to see what you are doing then here is where one's fingers come in to help to complete the task.  This is what happened in the summer of 2015 when I had to help Mom reset her Big Ben clock.

First, I removed the batteries and then Mom did her part by resetting the time.  I could not do this because I am unable to see the hands on the clock.

Next, I replaced the batteries at the back of the clock and then I set to work to do the more difficult stuff.  It all had to do with making sure that the chimes were in sync with the time.

After a minute or so I got it and it took a bit of figuring out.  I had to explore and experiment with the tiny buttons at the back of the clock but at the end of it all, it got done.

Big Ben was back on his feet and chiming away at the appropriate times.

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
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Visiting with the newborn kittens

A few months ago our adopted cat, Gladys, gave birth to seven little ones.  Such was my desire to reach out and touch them that on a quiet Sunday morning, just days after they were born, I did just that.

Gladys did not seem to mind as she simply went for a stroll when we came to visit.  One of the guys picked up the two ginger colored kittens and then he allowed me to play with them.

I gently touched their tiny forms.  They were clinging to each other and seemed oblivious to my stroking them but they were so soft, so tiny, and so innocent.

Their tiny paws were so soft and their small heads did not move much.  Their little bodies vibrated a bit but apart from that they did not react.

I marveled at these new additions to my circle of favorite friends. I wished them well and then sent them on their way back to their mom.  Of course, I could not see them but just touching them and running my fingers gently through their warm fur was enough for me.

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
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Braille labels found in St. Lucia

Just imagine my surprise when I discovered that some of the products in a pharmacy in St. Lucia had Braille labels on their boxes.  I discovered this great find during my 2015 annual summer trip to this tiny Caribbean island and boy was I delighted.

I have seen Braille labels before on a sporadic basis but I certainly did not expect to find them in this particular neck of the woods.  Now, allow me to clarify for you.  The box in question that I discovered was denoted with the name of the product in Braille, just one line of Braille.

This was enough for me to light up with glee. Then a closer examination of other boxes on the shelf enabled me to discover that several others also had Braille notations on their fronts.

This, to me, is a start and I look forward to more progress.

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://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
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Going shopping at Price Mart

This is always a very pleasant adventure for me, going shopping at the Price Mart Complex with Mom.

Price Mart is huge, almost always crowded whenever we go, and filled with the sounds of shoppers scurrying around with their shopping carts.

I simply love to take in the many different smells, ranging from chicken baking at the deli to the fragrance of flowers.  I love to inspect the many fruits and vegetables, huge boxes of cookies and chocolates, and gigantic packages of so many other things.

Then there are the over-sized tins of nuts, the larger than large bottles of all kinds of fruit juice, and oh yes!  The bulky packages of meat of all kinds.

I always stick very close to Mom, hanging on to the handle of the cart as we cruise from aisle to aisle.  She describes the scene to me as we move along and then she often places packages in my hand to show me how huge they are.

Mom and I have so much fun on these special days.  She is my eyes and I am her ears.  Yes!  Those special shopping days at Price Mart!

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
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Mom and I weighing ourselves

If I am not close to my talking bathroom scale then I need to depend on sighted assistance to help me ascertain my weight.  Naturally, I do not want anyone to know my weight so here is where good old Mom comes to the rescue.

She takes her time to set up the scale for me and makes sure that the needle is settled on the 0 mark. Then, with great care, after she has given the okay I climb gently and gingerly onto the scale.  Then the real and important process begins but is over in seconds.

Mom stoops down and looks at the screen on the scale and then she announces the big figure to me.  We repeat this process twice so that we are both sure that we have gotten things right.  Ah, yes!  this is what happens when I need to depend on sighted assistance to weigh myself.

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
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Remembering those green grounds at school

I have such great memories about those lush green grounds at school.  This to me was one of the highlights of time spent at grade school.

I always looked forward to playing there during break time and during our lunch hour.  I would practically race out to the lush green grounds and simply linger there for as long as I could.

I would run around and laugh out loud.  I would frolic with my class mates and we would race each other up and down the length of the fields.  Then we would climb onto the jungle gym and swing there for long minutes at a time.

Then there were the ball games, playing cricket and soccer.  Then the tug of war contests and so many times I would end up face down in the mud after my team had lost a contest.

Oh yes!  Those lush green grounds, my thick carpet and memories of them to last a lifetime.  Cool fresh mornings walking with my classmates through the damp, dew-covered grass.  Playing with them at lunch time and standing in the warm sun during our afternoon break.

Moments to remember forever, where so many dreams were hatched and so many have come to fruition.

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://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
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Listening to the falling rain

Ah yes!  One of my favorite times to relax, whenever I have the chance to listen to the sound of falling rain.

For some reason falling rain is so very relaxing to me.  The sound of rain falling either on a rooftop or in the street puts me into a mood of reflection, relaxation, and it is the time when my memory rushes off and searches my memory bank for some of the more cherished memories.

I can bring back memories of days gone by when I could see things around me and when I was able to visually appreciate more.  Vivid images and pictures appear in front of me and it is very much like a slow motion movie with me as the only spectator in a deserted cinema. 

I either sit or lie and enjoy it all!  I take it all in one moment at a time and after it is all over I slip into a comfortable journey to dreamland.  Ah yes!  Listening to the falling rain.

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
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Mom's description of the scene on the beach

This activity usually takes place on our annual trip to sweet St. Lucia.  We would either be relaxing on the sandy beach or sitting on our balcony outside of our room. 

I always look forward to these moments with Mom.  She takes her time to describe things to me.  Anything from the dog strolling along and stopping to sniff the sand or sit and look up at the sun, to the cat running along and chasing an unseen shadow. 

Then she would describe the boats anchored out in the bay and tell me such things as their colors, how many people are on board and what, if anything, they are doing.  Then the sea itself!  A vivid description of how it looks: color, the waves, the swimmers, and so much more.  

I can practically sit there and have it all come into my mind and I can picture so much.  Mom tells me as much as she can and many times her descriptions include physical make ups and facial expressions, and effortless pictures of fruits and goods being sold. 

Then there are the dogs and cats themselves and let's not forget the birds, trees, and the skies.

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
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Being careful with clothes that are see through

You got that right!  I need to be extra careful with this part of my life. As a blind person it is so important for me to ensure that when I wear a top, or even a pair of pants that are "see through", that I take care that it is not, indeed, a see through piece of clothing for the sighted world.

So how do I handle this?  Firstly, if the material is thin or if there are eyelets in the blouses or sweaters, I know that I need to find ways to cover up.  Sometimes I may not be readily able to tell if the clothing is, indeed, "see through" and here is where I would have to depend on my sighted family or friends to tell me. 

In most cases they tell me but what if they somehow forget to tell me?  Then I am in big trouble.

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
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Peepers still around

I met this perfect little fellow about three years ago. Despite my not knowing what he looks like, his voice is more than enough for me to call him my perfect little fellow.

Peepers lives on my mom's patio.  He only makes himself known to us at around 6 pm and then he goes away at around 6 the next morning.  My mom has never even seen him despite trying to do so.  We just hear his angelic little voice whenever he chooses to let us hear him.

I can tell that he hops from plant to plant given the position of his voice.  If you did not know you would swear that he could be a little bird, but no!  He is Peepers!  He is a little insect!  He sings like an angel and his voice is like a breeze in a bottle!  That's my beloved Peepers!

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!

Navigating a crowded counter

I am never tired of letting others know how difficult it is for me as a blind person when it comes to navigating crowded counters.  Especially so when I do not know what to expect let alone know what is there.

My counters are always very organized.  Everything has a place and in my mind there is logic to how I place things on my counter.

Change anything without telling me or simply clutter my counter and that's it!  I become very confused and frustrated.  It is even to the point where I become extremely irritated and I often end up telling others to just stay out of my way so that I can deal with this in a calm and orderly manner.

Some people understand but there are those who simply do not get it.  I am not going to justify my comments here.  This is me and that's all there is to it. 

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!

Mom and I at the buffet

At the best of times it is not an easy task for anyone when dealing with a buffet at a restaurant or at a function, but for a blind person it is even more difficult.  Just think about it for one minute!

You are unable to see what is being offered at the buffet.  You can't even tell how many buffet tables there are and you don't know who is in front of you in the line let alone know if there is anyone in front of you. 

So, what do I as a blind person do and how do I handle buffets?  In answer:  I only go to buffets with people that I trust to escort me without me bumping into others. 

Mom and I at the buffet is always a joy.  She is so good with me.  Making sure not to lead me into others and going to great pains to let me know what is being offered at the buffet tables.  She makes very sure not to overload my plate and she is really good at ensuring that my plate is not too cluttered. 

We take our time and we visit the buffet tables at least three times. Our buffet meals last for at least an hour.  

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!