Frustration! When I pulled out the wrong container

 It never fails and it does not matter how careful I am or how organized I strive to be. Yes!  It’s all about being able to pull out what I am seeking from my freezer.

This day was no different. I thought I was pulling out ground beef but what did I pull out? A container of mashed potatoes.

Not being able to really see what I am pulling out only makes things more interesting and this time my sense of smell failed me miserably.

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.

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

Times when I smile: Could not find Mom

It sure makes for interesting times whenever I need to find Mom.   I sometimes do not know where she is and calling to her does not do the trick because she is hard of hearing and does not hear me.  

So what do I do?  I need to go from room to room listening and calling and often using my sense of smell to try and detect her presence.  Sometimes she would see me and call to me but if she does not then my treasure hunt continues.

On this particular day she did not see me so I had to use my own techniques to find her.  Eventually I did and she was sitting quietly in her recliner, working on her crossword puzzles.

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.

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

 

What a surprise! When the liquid soap spilled

 Looking back at this experience I can only smile to myself now.  I had no idea that it had indeed spilled.

I had come home from grocery shopping and had unpacked everything and had put away almost everything.   Then I began to smell something fragrant.  It smelled like apples.

Then it dawned on me that all was not right.  I was missing my apple scented hand soap.  Sure enough!  The poor old bottle lay helplessly on the floor almost empty while the surrounding floor was soaking wet from the spilled liquid soap.

Good thing that my sense of smell was able to clue me in.

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.

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

Important notice from Donna J. Jodhan
If you're looking for a quick and easy way to share news and or info about yourself or about others, then please read on!
Donna J. Jodhan can help you reach a rapidly growing list of over 12,000 readers and listeners and counting!
All you need to do is to give a listen to her monthly shows and if you like what you hear then here's how it works!
For the very affordable price of $25, Donna will feature your info and news on 2 of her monthly shows.
Once on the Ask Donna show and once on the Dining with Donna show.
Both of these monthly shows run weekly.
This means that your info will be featured twice for the month.
No more having to worry about posting to Facebook!  
You'll be able to engage with ready made readers and listeners!
Your payment of $25 will be prorated as a monthly payment.
So you can either pay monthly, or you can pay as you go.
Just send your info or news to Donna at askdonnaonblindlife@gmail.com
No more than 150 words.
Donna will then post your info or news as soon as you remit payment to her at paypal@donnajodhan.com
To give a listen visit https://www.donnajodhan.com/askdonna and https://www.donnajodhan.com/dwd
Take advantage of this very quick and easy way to reach a ready made audience!

Humorous but also frustrating: Choosing the wrong package from my freezer

This does not happen to me very often but when it does it sure throws me off track. A few weeks ago I went to my freezer to fetch a single serving of what I thought was a tuna casserole.  I placed it on my kitchen counter and a few minutes later I returned to warm it in my microwave.

Because the instructions said that I should not peel off the wrapper but instead bore tiny holes in said wrapper, I did as I was instructed but at the end of the three minutes I got a very unexpected surprise.

When I removed the dish, my first hint that all was not well was when I did not sniff anything like the scent of tuna.  Instead, I thought I was smelling beef.

My sense of smell was bang on!  Upon peeling off the wrapper, I discovered that I had unfrozen a half pound of ground beef and not my tuna.  Hard lesson learned.

I should have been more careful as follows.  First, I should have examined the package more closely and if I had I would have noticed that said package was bigger than a single serving package.  Next, I should have paid more attention to the top of the package because the wrapper on a single serving feels much differently than a package of ground beef.

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

No big surprise for me! The other person in the hall

I have been using this strategy for several years now ever since I lost my vision.  It all has to do with combining my senses of smell and hearing to help me decipher or determine if there is anyone else around me.

This is what I do whenever I go out early in the morning to take my garbage to the chute. At that time the hallway in my condo building is dead quiet and I can even hear my footsteps echoing along the carpet as I walk.

I quietly open my door, slip out of my doorway, and gently close and lock my door.  Then I proceed to walk as silently as I can down the hallway, carefully carrying my garbage bag.

My antennas are on full alert.  I have deployed my senses of smell and hearing as I walk and I am ready to discover whether or not there is anyone else in the hallway.  On most mornings there is no one but a few months ago there was someone standing in front of the elevator as I approached.

I said good morning and he responded but I could tell that he was shocked that I knew that he was there.  He asked me how I knew that he was there and I smiled and said that I had smelled his sweet-scented after shave!  He laughed and wished me a pleasant day.

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.

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

Not an easy thing: The challenges of identifying

This is not a new challenge for me but with the Covid amongst us, I need to develop different ways to identify when someone is within social distancing of me. So, this is what I do.

If I am walking down the hall towards the elevator or towards the garbage chute, I use my sense of smell to see if I can smell anyone's perfume or cologne and if I do I say either hello or good morning. If the person responds then I know which side of the hallway I need to stay on.

When I enter the elevator, I always say the same: hello or good morning and then I use the response to tell me which side of the elevator I need to go to.

This almost always works for me and will not work if a person is there but chooses not to respond. On the whole, though, it does.

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 new strategy: The ‘who is here’ technique

It has taken me a while to perfect this technique, or strategy, and I have had to put some extra thinking into it due to the fact that I can no longer see enough to know who is close by.

I use my senses of hearing and smell to help me out. In determining who is here, who is close by, I first need to determine if, indeed, someone is here. After ascertaining that there is someone close by, and I do this either by

smelling or sensing the presence of someone, I take the next step.

I would probably speak a greeting and most times this works as the one who is close by would often respond. If they do not and I still believe that there is someone close by then I would proceed to use my cane to check around me to see if there is someone or not.

If there is no one then that’s okay. But if there is someone and they do not respond then my mind goes into concern mode and my next step would be to again utter a greeting. In almost all of the cases, the person standing there would say something and if they do not then I know that something is not right and I would next proceed to take defensive tactics.

I will stop here for now.

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

Feelings forever: The Christmas feeling

Christmas for me is simply a plethora of feelings, emotions, and so much more.  Christmas for me is a season where so many memories race across my mind.  I can tell you that Christmas for me can be viewed in two different ways: as someone who has precious little vision and as one who once upon a time had enough vision to see so much.

When I had enough vision to see many things, I could appreciate the flickering candles in Church, the flashing colored lights as I skated around an outdoor rink, crowded streets with scurrying shoppers, Christmas trees loaded with decorations and presents piled high beneath, tables loaded with dishes of food, and of course!  Santa Claus!  I used to spend so much time in the toy departments admiring the dolls and doll houses.  Drawing sets and coloring books.  I used to help decorate the house and always enjoyed putting up the angels, the lights, and most of all the manger with all of the figures. 

Now that my vision has dwindled to almost nothing, I have all of these memories to bolster my enjoyment of Christmas. In addition, I use my senses of sound and smell to help me continue enjoying.  Fragrances of burning firewood, pine, baking cookies, and turkey and pork all help me to conjure up pictures and images of years gone by.  Sounds of bells, kids laughing, Santa Claus ho ho hoing, and the scraping of blades on ice add to my happy memories.  You see, I have so many ways to recreate, reproduce, and make new memories.

Christmas as a blind person could be really interesting.  So much to enjoy and so much to share with others.  Christmas through the eyes of a blind person could be a very different perspective for many.  You can learn more by visiting www.acb.org.

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

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 jodhanmysterybook.club/about-the-author 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!

My reflection: Mom's favorite supermarket

Oh, how I love going to Mom’s favorite supermarket!  It is always a treat whenever I go grocery shopping with this very special lady.

We set out early in the morning and soon we are there!  The many smells of food cooking, fresh produce, baked goods, and so much more simply tantalize my nostrils.

On most occasions Mom’s favorite supermarket is crowded with shoppers pushing shopping carts loaded with all kinds of goods, standing around in the aisles chatting and laughing among themselves, and shoppers conversing in various languages other than English.

Some are carrying on conversations in English.  Others are greeting each other in Spanish while others are exchanging information in a Chinese dialect.  I stop, I listen, and I take it all in and I thoroughly enjoy the entire scene.

Mom would often stop to greet a friend and then she would introduce me to them.  Then we would move on to continue filling our own shopping cart.

Christmastime is probably my favorite time to visit Mom’s favorite supermarket as it is overflowing with goodies of all kinds and the crowds are thick and noisy.  It is the time when smells simply outdo themselves as they compete for my attention.

Ah, yes!  This is Mom’s favorite supermarket!

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.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minute mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.takeanother5.com
And available for download from iTunes and Google music play

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

A favorite feeling: The Christmas feeling

Christmas for me is simply a plethora of feelings, emotions, and so much more.  Christmas for me is a season where so many memories race across my mind.  I can tell you that Christmas for me can be viewed in two different ways: as someone who has precious little vision and as one who once upon a time had enough vision to see so much.

When I had enough vision to see many things, I could appreciate the flickering candles in church, the flashing colored lights as I skated around an outdoor rink, crowded streets with scurrying shoppers, Christmas trees loaded with decorations and presents piled high beneath, tables loaded with dishes of food, and of course!  Santa Claus!  I used to spend so much time in the toy departments admiring the dolls and doll houses.  Drawing sets and coloring books.  I used to help decorate the house and always enjoyed putting up the angels, the lights, and most of all, the manger with all of the figures. 

Now that my vision has dwindled to almost nothing, I have all of these memories to bolster my enjoyment of Christmas and, in addition, I use my senses of sound and smell to help me continue enjoying.  Fragrances of burning firewood, pine, baking cookies, and turkey and pork all help me to conjure up pictures and images of years gone by.  Sounds of bells, kids laughing, Santa Claus ho ho hoing, and the scraping of blades on ice add to my happy memories.  You see, I have so many ways to recreate, reproduce, and make new memories.

Christmas as a blind person could be really interesting.  So much to enjoy and so much to share with others.  Christmas through the eyes of a blind person could be a very different perspective for many.  You can learn more by visiting www.acb.org.

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

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 http://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!

My favorite time of the year: Christmas is for me

I have had the good fortune to enjoy many wonderful Christmases, with and without vision and it does not matter!  Christmas is for me.  The smells and the sounds, the laughter and the merry making.

When I had enough sight, I used to enjoy going out to window shop.  To see the bright colorful lights, the flickering candles in the church, Santa's bright red suit, and streets crowded with throngs of folks of all ages.  I also loved to smell the scent of rich pine, cakes and goodies baking in ovens, and taste the various Christmas foods and drinks.  I also loved to walk in the snow and watch those big white snowflakes race each other to the ground. But most of all, I loved to ice skate around those huge outdoor rinks decorated with Christmas lights.

That was then and this is now but not much has changed for me.  True it is that I can no longer see the flickering candles, the colorful Christmas lights, and the big fat snowflakes, but this does not prevent me from enjoying this special time of the year.  My sense of smell is still intact along with my sense of taste and I use my memories of years gone by to help me along.  I focus on the times when I could see and intermingle those memories with the now.  I am blessed!  I am lucky!  With or without sight, Christmas is for me!  I am a kid at heart, playing with my talking games, playing my electronic keyboard, and my Christmas CDs.

Merry Christmas, happy holidays, Joyeux Noèl, and Feliz Navidad to you all!
I'm Donna J. Jodhan.  Will see you again in the New Year.

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 http://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!

A funny experience: At the wrong salon

I am always happy to share funny experiences with my readers and this is just one of them.

A few weeks ago my friend Sue and I went out to a hairdressing appointment which was supposed to have been in a nearby mall.  We got there in tons of time for the appointment and then we decided to take our time getting there.

I guess that on this day we were not paying attention so the first salon we came to we just walked in and announced that we were there to see Sophie, my hairdresser.

This is where things got very interesting.  The man at the front had no idea what we were saying and at the same time I simply did not recognize his voice.  Then in quick succession I also recognized that this was the wrong salon, and why?

Because it did not smell like my normal salon and something did not feel right to me.  So as quickly as we entered we beat a very hasty retreat and proceeded on to the right salon.

Just another day with a funny beginning.

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 the mango

This is probably one of my favorite fruits and one that practically accompanied me through my childhood until now.

The mango was there when I took my first bite of a fruit.  It was always there as a mid morning snack and as something delicious to eat at the beach and it continues to be my constant companion whenever I can get to eat it.

I can no longer see its form but I sure remember what it looks like.  A healthy combination of green and yellow skin with a yellow inside.  Its smell is like a breeze in a bottle, wafting all around me and so distinguishable.

I can detect that old favorite smell anywhere!  It catches my sense of smell wherever it is and I automatically go looking for it.  Ah yes!  Remembering the mango!

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

When I used the wrong cleaner

Looking back at this particular incident I can now smile at it but at the time it was a bit of an embarrassment for me.

This magical moment, as I would say, took place at my mom's home a few months ago when I offered to clean her tub and wash basins. So, off I went to fetch the bottle of cleaning detergent and before starting my work I smelled and sniffed the contents of the bottle and it did smell like cleaning detergent.

I took my time at cleaning tub and wash basins and all seemed to be well until my mom came by and we started chatting. I showed her the bottle that I was using but then there was a pause.

Oh no, was what I thought to myself. What's wrong? Then Mom said in a very gentle but reassuring voice, "You used the wrong cleaner. You used something entirely different." Then she laughed and I followed suit.

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!

When I discovered the carpets in the hall

I practically smelled them before I almost stumbled upon them and I have to say that it was my sense of smell that saved the day for me.

There I was, coming out of the elevator on to the 12th floor in my building, pushing my shopping cart ahead of me and voila! The strong smell of new carpets hit me in the face like cold water being thrown across my back!

I stopped in my tracks and quickly took stock. I pulled my shopping cart close to me and then with my cane I went exploring. There they were, all stacked along the edge of the wall. New carpets rolled up from large pieces just waiting to be put down. Luckily for me they were going to do this in my neighbor's condo and not in the hall.

I took a few minutes to make sure of my footing and landscape and then returned to my shopping cart and with the utmost of care I rolled it down the hall towards my condo. All was well that ended well.

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!"

When the steam cleaner quit on me

Yes, it did quit on me, and how did I know this? There were several indicators but once again my senses of smell and touch came to my assistance.

I had taken out my steam cleaner to clean my floors. I had filled it with water and detergent and had fitted everything into their proper and respective spots on the machine and then away I went.

I plugged in my machine and turned it on and then waited for it to start making the customary shushing sound but after about 30 seconds there was no shushing sound. I waited another 30 seconds and all I could hear was the dull sound of the machine as it vibrated.

Then it was time for me and my fingers to go investigating. I ran my fingers down the length of the machine and stopped at the water receptacle. It was hot but not overly hot. I continued down the length of the machine and inspected the rest of the components and all seemed well. I then decided to turn off the machine and then turn it back on.

Nothing happened at first. No shushing sound but then something caught my attention. The smell of something burning and that was it. Something was wrong with my poor old steam cleaner.

To confirm my suspicions I called my Super and as soon as he turned it back on he noticed a flashing light and this indicated that the power supply was not working properly. I was correct; my steam cleaner had quit on me. That's what you get when you can't see a flashing light and your other senses have to kick in to help out.

All's well that ends well.

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!"

When the smell of coffee saved me

Let's just say that, indeed!, the smell of coffee saved me that day. You see, I was wiping down my kitchen table after breakfast and it is a good thing that I was sufficiently alert and awake that morning.

As I wiped around the table with my damp cloth, I smelled the sweet fragrance of coffee and something told me to stop for a moment and feel around on the table and lo and behold! There it was! My half full cup of morning coffee.

It was not too close to the edge of the table but chances are more than good that had I not paid attention to the smell of coffee, I would surely have knocked it off the table, and then? A whole new chore for me to deal with: cleaning up a cup of spilled coffee and making sure that I got all of the liquid on the floor.

I guess that as a blind person, I need to make sure that I remember where I put things at all times. A difficult task you may be saying? Yes, but I need to do my best.

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!"

The new memory of skating

I guess that it would be accurate for me to say that I am constantly reformatting or adding to my memories and memories of skating are no different.

Now that I can no longer see, I have had to develop new memories and my skating memoirs are uppermost for me. My skating memories as they stand today are of me skating around a rink hanging on to the arm of either a friend or support staff member working for the City of Toronto.

I can still remember what the rink looks like: the blue lines and the red lines, the center ice line, the boards, and the ice itself. Then there is the glass, the doors, and the colors of these.

The smell of the rink remains the same for me, a unique smell when I had enough vision to see and now that I am unable to see. So, now what is different these days?

I depend more on sound now to help me stay upright on my skates. I listen for the sound of the skaters as they approach and pass by. I can tell how close they are to me as they go by. I listen for the sound of my own skates as my blades scrape along the ice and I also listen for the sound of my friend's or support staff's skates.

I need to place more trust in the one skating with me. I have to trust that they are not going to lead me into the boards or into other skaters. That they can help me to avoid rough ice patches and let me know when a wet patch is coming up.

These are the memories as they stand today, memories forever.

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

Follow me on twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/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!"

I know when she is praying

You would think that by now after all of my years on this Earth, I would know when it is time for me to be quiet. That is, whenever my mom is praying I need to tone things down so that she can have her private moments. When I had vision it was quite easy. I would walk into her room and I would immediately see her sitting quietly with her Rosary and her Prayer book and the flickering candle close by.

Now that my vision is gone I have another way to know. First off, Mom usually says her prayers first thing in the morning or sometimes she would do it in mid afternoon or last thing at night. So I have specific times to be careful at. However there is something else.

Whenever I smell the fragrance of the candle I know that it is time for me to be quiet. I turn down the volume on the TV and then I tip toe around so as to make as little noise as I can. Does all of this work? You bet!

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!"

The Christmas feeling

Christmas for me is simply a plethora of feelings, emotions, and so much more. Christmas for me is a season where so many memories race across my mind. I can tell you that Christmas for me can be viewed in two different ways: as someone who has precious little vision, and as one who once upon a time had enough vision to see so much.

When I had enough vision to see many things, I could appreciate the flickering candles in church, the flashing colored lights as I skated around an outdoor rink, crowded streets with scurrying shoppers, Christmas trees loaded with decorations and presents piled high beneath, tables loaded with dishes of food, and of course! Santa Claus! I used to spend so much time in the toy departments admiring the dolls and doll houses. Drawing sets and coloring books. I used to help decorate the house and always enjoyed putting up the angels, the lights, and most of all, the manger with all of the figures.

Now that my vision has dwindled to almost nothing, I have all of these memories to bolster my enjoyment of Christmas and in addition, I use my senses of sound and smell to help me continue enjoying. Fragrances of burning firewood, pine, baking cookies, and turkey and pork all help me to conjure up pictures and images of years gone by. Sounds of bells, kids laughing, Santa Claus ho ho hoing, and the scraping of blades on ice add to my happy memories. You see, I have so many ways to recreate, reproduce, and make new memories.

Christmas as a blind person could be really interesting. So much to enjoy and so much to share with others. Christmas through the eyes of a blind person could be a very different perspective for many. You can learn more by visiting www.acb.org.

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

Follow me on twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like me on Facebook @www.facebook.com/donnajodhan
and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan.
Come by and enjoy some of my audio mysteries at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html.
You can download a free sample, purchase, or subscribe to my unlimited access library pass.