[NFBOH-Cleveland] Fwd: [theblindperspective] August 2018 Newsletter

Cheryl Fields cherylelaine1957 at gmail.com
Thu Aug 2 16:02:58 UTC 2018


 This is a great issue! Especially the gardening section and brain buster!
Hope you enjoy it as much as I have. Have a great day!

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Blind Perspective <theblindperspective at gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Jul 31, 2018 at 5:59 PM
Subject: [theblindperspective] August 2018 Newsletter
To: <theblindperspective at groups.io>


Welcome to The Blind Perspective
[image: Logo Description: A view from a window with lavender curtains drawn
back viewing the snowy peaks of a mountain range. The words “The Blind
Perspective” hover above in the sky.]
August 2018
Volume 4 Issue 8
Table of ContentsGreetings from the Editor
Sponsor of the Month
Movers & Shakers
International Perspective
Exercise, does a body good
Have I Got A Story For You
The Braille Highway
Kaleidoscope of Krafts
Spencer’s Spotlight
Computer Tech101
A Time to Plant
The Alternating Duo: Seeing the World Differently
the Rotating Trio: Potpourri
Cooking Concoctions
Riddle & Brain Buster
Classified

Navigation

The Blind Perspective Newsletter has been produced in such a manner that
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If you have any trouble reading this copy you can go to Click Here it will
take You to the read the current newsletter
<http://www.theblindperspective.com/current.htm>
Greetings from the EditorBy Karen Santiago

Welcome to the August edition of The Blind Perspective Newsletter!
I would first like to say that it was so much fun meeting Carla Jo, Cheryl,
Teddy, Russ, & Danny last month in St. Louis! In addition, it was awesome
to meet and talk with some of our readers. We would also like to thank
those of you who have recently signed up since learning about us at the
convention.

I have received several emails asking if there are any of the Blind
Perspective t shirts left for sale. Yes, there are! I have the following
quantities and sizes available: 10 Small, 15 medium, and 15 large.
These shirts are an intense blue with the print and braille in white. On
the front is our website in both braille and print. On the back, near the
top is printed “braille users do it with feeling”, and below that is the
alphabet in print and braille!
Cost per shirt is 15 dollars within the United States, and will be shipped
Free Matter for the Blind. For individuals wanting to purchase a shirt
outside of the United States, contact me at the email address below, and I
will let you know what the additional shipping charge will be. Payment will
be processed through Pay Pal.
If you are interested in ordering one of these awesome t shirts just send
me an email with the size (s) and mailing address at
Karen at TheBlindPerspective.com <karen at theblindperspective.com>

I wanted to share some of the recent feedback I have received from
subscribers:
Louise emailed me this, “I have only just heard about your newsletter and
am looking forward to reading through the back issues. I think it is
fantastic the range of topics you are covering and do keep up the hard
work.”

“I enjoy your publication and appreciate all the hard work by the staff to
continually produce the Blind Perspective. Thank You for all you do for
us!” wrote Steve.

Jonathan emailed me this comment, “I have been a faithful subscriber of
yours since mid-2016, and I am constantly impressed with the quality of
each and every article, every month. Keep it up!”

“I have yet to find another publication like The Blind Perspective. Your
newsletter is full of such great articles. I like the fact that we as
readers know what to expect with regards to the topics. But, when I open up
the email, I am so glad to read such well written articles which are so
very useful. Thanks go out to all of those who make this publications so
enjoyable!” submitted by Brittany.

Remember you can also choose to listen to our audio version of the
newsletter, link below:
The Blind Perspective Audio <http://www.theblindperspective.com/audio.mp3>

At A Glance: Out of Sight, Perkins #3, Jump Rope, Audible; Handy, Author's
Interview, Succulents, Tangibles, Audible; Techy, Herbs, Lists, Cool Off &
Trash, Dill Dip & Eggplant Lasagna, Riddle, & Brain Buster, Classified!

*Note: Check out Jonathan Mosen's Blind Side Podcast with our very own Nat
Armeni, author of The Braille Highway: click here to listen to The Blind
Side podcast 92. Sponsor of the MonthThe time is right to join
Out-Of-Sight!!
We are a group of blind fun-loving, congenial, and interesting people from
all over the world, who use our screen-readers and microphones to play
games, chat, learn, and socialize on our own internet TeamTalk server.

We have a full schedule of activities every day and evening and you can
drop in whenever you wish. We display our musical talents and play music in
our music rooms. You can get help with your computer, your iPhone, your
cooking, and your chess game, or you can just simply have fun! We also have
a book-discussion group and Bible groups. There is no end to the
stimulation, excitement, and camaraderie you will experience.

To join us and receive your materials, simply send your real name, a
preferred nickname if any, your email address, and your phone number to:
<http://www.theblindperspective.com/newsletter/2018/jon.mpeg>
OOSNHQ at gmail.com <oosnhq at gmail.com>

We sum it up by saying: "Catch the vision--it’s Out of Sight!"

Movers & ShakersBy Karen Santiago
Karen at TheBlindPerspective.com <karen at theblindperspective.com>

Perkins School; Part 3: Education

After Laura Bridgman was educated at Perkins, the school always had a small
number of deaf/ blind students, usually 5 to 10. However, during the 1960’s
there was an epidemic of the German Measles (Rubella). A side effect for
women who were pregnant and contracted the German Measles was that they
gave birth to a deaf/ blind baby. Suddenly, there were fifty deaf/ blind
students, with many more wanting to attend. The Perkins School expanded.

The Perkins School has several buildings located on its campus. The tall
building with a tower is the Howe building. This is the main building which
houses two gyms, two running tracks, a swimming pool, president’s offices,
and where the high school students attend classes.

To the left of the Howe building there are four cottages, originally these
were for the boys. After the deaf/ blind expansion, they became the deaf/
blind cottages. To the right of the Howe building there are five cottages
for girls. The reason there was an extra cottage wasn’t because there were
more girls, it was the domestic cottage. This was where girls would learn
things that they thought boys didn’t need to know; cooking, sewing,
cleaning, etc. In the sixties, they moved the boys in with the girls, and
the cottages were all for deaf/ blind students.

Perkins built two new deaf/ blind buildings; a school, and an evaluation
building. The evaluation building was for parents to stay at, while their
child was getting tested. In addition, the parents would receive advice to
take back home with them.

In 1887, Perkins School added and opened the first kindergarten in the
world for blind children. Perkins has a preschool with the youngest
students being five years old. They recently built a 60 million dollar new
school, called the Lower School; essentially a grammar school. At either 12
or 13 years of age, students would then graduate onto the high school,
which is residential. They would continue there until age 22, when
educational funding stops. Perkins has basically six schools running
simultaneously; preschool, lower school (grammar), and high school for both
the blind and the deaf/ blind students.

Funding is paid for by the town in which the students live in mostly.
Federal law states that public schools are run by the town. However, if the
public school cannot educate a child in their town because of a disability,
or multiple disabilities, they are financially responsible for someone else
to educate the child. Other funding may come from the parents, if they have
enough money, or from charitable organizations.

On average, there are about 200 students on campus. Most of the students go
home every weekend. Most students come from the New England states and
upper New York. Occasionally exceptions are made to accept international
students.

Perkins teaches an expanded core curriculum consisting of nine subjects
that are not taught in traditional schools. Some of these subjects are
braille, orientation & mobility, assistive technology, independent living
skills, and life skills.

Perkins education begins with teachers going in the home after a baby is
brought home from the hospital. These teachers help the parents. Mom, dad,
and baby come to Perkins to meet with five other similar families. The
babies are put into groups to do activities. Parents are given time to
socialize with other parents, creating a support system.

Every Fall Perkins sends 12 blind students from public schools to
Huntsville, Alabama. There, they attend Space Camp at National Aeronautics
& Space Association (NASA)!

During school vacation weeks and weekends, Perkins allow blind students
from public schools to come for what is known as Camp Abilities. Students
will focus on activities from such themes as sports, theater, music, and
arts. But more importantly, these blind students will be able to interact
with others who are like them, and make friends. There are also three
options, 1, 3, or 5 weeks of camp offered during the summer. Perkins is
closed during the month of August.

The Perkins School has just recently developed a Pre- College Program for
blind individuals that will begin in September. Perkins has found that
although blind students get into college, many drop out within their first
year. Furthermore, this is not due to the academics, but rather the social
aspects.

They have nine blind high school graduates signed up for this “gap year”
program. These students will stay in a college like dormitory on the
Perkins campus. They will visit all of the neighboring colleges (and there
are a lot) to attend meetings, maybe take a class, and to socialize.

I ended my tour in the technology/ student center. The Grousbeck Center for
Students & Technology opened in 2011. This was made possible with a 10
million dollar commitment from the Grousbeck Family Foundation. Wycliffe
and Corinne Grousbeck have a blind child who attended the Perkins School.

The center is a place for students to gather and experiment with
cutting-edge technology, ultimately promoting their independence and
socialization.

As you walk into this building there is what they call the wavy bench. And,
like its name, it is wavy. This makes it easy for students to meet others
by saying something like, meet me at the wavy bench at 4:00.

Also located in the entrance is a very large tactile map of the world. This
map design is based on elevation. I was able to find and touch the Andes!

The center offers state of the art video games, music, and movies for
students to enjoy. The music room has a variety of musical instruments and
software. Students have access to a recording studio to record their own
music. There is the Perkins Radio studio, home to Radio Perkins which you
can access via the internet. Students create and host their own radio
shows. There is the Perk Café where students not only eat there, but they
also run it! While touring this building, there were many students hanging
out chatting with one another, playing music and games; just having a whole
lot of fun!

After Susan Lowry Mason read last month’s Perkins article she sent me the
following email.

Hello Karen:
I want to provide feedback on your articles regarding the Perkins School
that appeared in the past two issues of “The Blind Perspective.”

The story of Anne Sullivan and Helen Keller remains close to my heart as a
result of a childhood experience when I was twelve years old. In August,
1962, Academy Award winning actress Rita Moreno was scheduled to perform as
Anne Sullivan in a theatrical production of “The Miracle Worker” at the
Playhouse in the Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This was an outdoor
Theater-in-the-Round under a large tent within Fairmount Park in west
Philly.

My mother received a phone call from the Overbrook School for the Blind
where I was then a student. The director of the play was requesting a group
of visually impaired girls to play the roles of the Perkins students in the
farewell scene before Anne Sullivan departs for her teaching assignment
with Helen Keller in Alabama. A large group of OSB students were
interviewed; I was one of four who were chosen to perform in the play.

We rehearsed for two weeks then performed 8 shows within 6 days. The cast
was dressed in 1885 attire; we girls were paid a small stipend for our
participation in the performances. We were so much involved in the
production for three weeks that we had memorized every line of the play.
There were other notable actors involved in the production, one of whom I
remained in contact with for many years. I also met a young woman outside
our dressing room door who presented me with a beautifully illustrated book
about the movie “Westside Story” for which Rita Moreno received her Academy
Award;” we corresponded long into my adulthood.

It was loads of fun and I have several souvenirs to remember the event such
as pictures, autographs and the program for the show. Unfortunately, the
“Playhouse in the Park” was demolished in 1997 due to neglect and
abandonment; however, I will remember the unforgettable summer at the
“Theater-in-the-Round” in which we portrayed the beginning of Helen Keller
and Anne Sullivan’s successful journey. This was just one of the many
extraordinary events that I have experienced during my lifetime.

Thank you for bringing back such a fantastic memory!

International PerspectiveBy Karen Santiago
Karen at TheBlindPerspective.com <karen at theblindperspective.com>

This segment will once again start up next month!

Exercise, does a body goodBy Dan Kiely
Dan at TheBlindPerspective.com <dan at theblindperspective.com>

Hello fitness fans, and welcome to another edition of an Exercise Does A
Body Good!
In this edition we are going to be jumping, yes, as in jumping rope.
Remember ladies when you were jump roping with your girlfriends, reciting
songs, and having so much fun. Well, it can be fun again as an adult. And
yes men, jump roping can be fun for you too! Professional boxers such as
George Foreman, joe Frazier, and Mohammed Ali, to name a few incorporated
jumping rope into their training regimen.

Equipment Needed:
A good pair of tennis shoes/ sneakers
A rope: make sure you have the right size; when you hold the rope under one
foot, the handles should just reach your armpits
A large area where you can jump: jump on a mat or area rug for orientation

Benefits of jumping rope:
It is both a cardiovascular and aerobic conditioning exercise
Full body workout
Keeps the lymphatic system healthy (your body’s sewer system)
Muscle strengthening and helps with balance

Types of jump ropes:
Beaded jump ropes: nylon rope threaded through plastic tubular beads
Speed jump rope: weighs less than the beaded rope, and is used by boxers
Weighted jump rope: comes in yellow, red and black; yellow being the light
weighted jump rope and black being the heavier one

Jumping form: Hold the handles more with your fingers than with your palms.
Hold your hands at 10 and 2 o’clock and at waist height, with elbows close
to your sides. Revolve the rope from the wrists, rather than from the
shoulders.

Types of jump movements:
Double Jump: jump over the rope with both feet at the same time
Single Leg Jump: jump with one leg for a period of time, then alternate and
jump with the other leg
Backwards: rotate the rope from back to front, being sure to jump before
the rope hits the back of your sneakers
Walking Jump: jump over the rope as if walking; left foot, then right foot
and so on
High Jump: pull your knees up towards your waist as you jump
Skip Jump: one foot lands as the other one takes off
Criss Cross: cross your arms in front of you just before jumping

So, get your favorite music, shoes, and rope. Start jumping and burn those
calories! I read somewhere that you can burn up to 1100 calories in one
hour. Like the Van Halen song says, Ya might as well jump!

Health Tip: Sunscreen
It’s true that sunscreens that have a higher SPF (Sun Protection Factor)
are more protective of your skin. But there are some important points about
sunscreens that you should keep in mind. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from
the sun is comprised of UVA and UVB rays. The SPF rating refers mainly to
the amount of UVB protection that a sunscreen offers, not the UVA rays.
(Broad-spectrum sunscreens do protect from UVA rays, just not as much.) So,
individuals applying a high-SPF sunscreen may not get a sunburn, but could
still receive too much UVA radiation from the sun.

UVA rays are known to cause skin aging as well promote skin cancer. (In
fact, some countries have banned sunscreens with very high SPFs because
authorities fear that they will give people a false sense of security and
they will stay out in the sun too long.)

Keep in mind that when applied correctly, sunscreens with an SPF of 15
block about 93% of the sun’s UVB rays, while a sunscreen of SPF 30 blocks
nearly 97% of UVB rays. One problem is that people often apply too little
sunscreen, which means they are getting a lower sun protection factor than
they think. You should always use at least a shot-glass size portion for
your body.

Most experts recommend using a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 to 50, and
applying it generously about every two hours. That, combined with other sun
protection measures such as a hat, sunglasses, and proper clothing, should
help you stay safe and avoid the damaging effects of the sun.

Until next time, apply some sunscreen and grab your jump rope and get some
healthy vitamin D and exercise at the same time!

Have I Got A Story For YouBy Carla Jo Bratton
CarlaJo at TheBlindPerspective.com <carlajo at theblindperspective.com>

Hot Fun in the Summer Time book lovers!
Jim Morgan and I are doing a friends holding hands type of article this
month. He’s writing about the tech side of Audible and I’m adding a bit of
color and a great example of how Audible can be handy. But, wait, there’s
more! For those of you who we met in St. Louis, it was fantastic! Let us
hear from you!!

And now for my opinion of Audible:
The features I use the most with Audible are the wish list, where you can
put books for the future, the ability to preorder upcoming books, and check
out live recordings, magazines, newspapers, and historical recordings.
Research is very easy on this site, you can search by key word, author,
genre, narrator and several other filters.

Audible has a free magazine for members, they have a great system of
emails, of which I am a fan, and a help line that is second to none.
Returning a book, just because you really didn’t like it, was no problem. I
couldn’t live without BARD, but I’m thankful that we have other choices out
there for the audio book reader.

Now, here is a perfect example of why I love having an Audible account.
Born to Run, written and read by Bruce Springsteen. On BARD it is read by
another narrator, not a bad one, a quite popular one. But, he’s not the
Boss. I wanted to hear this book read by the man.

The Audies, the awards given out by the Audio book Publishing Association
were held this past May 31, 2018. Mr. Springsteen won for best
Autobiography/Memoir. And he deserved it. I knew I wanted this particular
book read by this particular person, that’s why I really love Audible. Read
on for my review.

Born To Run
Written and read by Bruce Springsteen
reading time 18 hours and16 minutes
BARD number; DB86228
CELA Number; DT77304

"Writing about yourself is a funny business. But in a project like this,
the writer has made one promise: to show the reader his mind. In these
pages, I've tried to do this." (Bruce Springsteen, from the audio of Born
to Run)

In 2009, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band performed at the Super
Bowl's halftime show. The experience was so exhilarating that Bruce decided
to write about it. That's how this extraordinary autobiography began.

Over the past seven years, Bruce Springsteen has privately devoted himself
to writing the story of his life, bringing to this audio the same honesty,
humor, and originality found in his songs. He describes growing up Catholic
in Freehold, New Jersey, amid the poetry, danger, and darkness that fueled
his imagination, leading up to the moment he refers to as "The Big Bang":
seeing Elvis Presley's debut on The Ed Sullivan Show. He vividly recounts
his relentless drive to become a musician, his early days as a bar-band
king in Asbury Park, and the rise of the E Street Band. With disarming
candor, he also tells for the first time the story of the personal
struggles that inspired his best work and shows us why the song "Born to
Run" reveals more than we previously realized.

Born to Run will be revelatory for anyone who has ever enjoyed Bruce
Springsteen, but this book is much more than a legendary rock star's
memoir. This is a book for workers and dreamers, parents and children,
lovers and loners, artists, freaks, or anyone who has ever wanted to be
baptized in the holy river of rock and roll. Rarely has a performer told
his own story with such force and sweep. Like many of his songs ("Thunder
Road", "Badlands", "Darkness on the Edge of Town", "The River", "Born in
the U.S.A.", "The Rising", and "The Ghost of Tom Joad", to name just a
few). Bruce Springsteen's autobiography is written with the lyricism of a
singular songwriter and the wisdom of a man who has thought deeply about
his experiences.

My comments; If you are a fan, this is a must read. If you are a music
historian, early rock and roll lover, or someone who appreciates a look at
our nation at this time, this is one for you. I had to read this one in
parts, not straight through for me. It was that deep and involving of a
story, not a book, a story.

Beautifully written and perfectly read. I cried during some parts, laughed
in a lot and danced in a few. This is a book that I will be forever
thankful I read.

About the RNIB reference numbers; I checked the RNIB site and found that it
is for sale in braille format. If any of our readers who use the RNIB
website could let me know if that is the correct information, I’d
appreciate it.

I’ve received so many emails and I am trying to respond to each of you. You
have no idea what hearing from our readers does for us here at the
newsletter. I get so many great book recommendations and feel I get to know
you a bit more each time I hear from you. Books aren’t the only thing that
inspires me to write each month, it is you, our readers.

Until September, really? September? Slow down Summer!
Happy Reading, Carla jo!

The Braille HighwayBy Nat Armeni
Nat at TheBlindPerspective.com <nat at theblindperspective.com>

The month of August is upon us and I hope this article finds you doing
well. Continuing our series of the Q&A with my fellow authors, it should be
a treat to read about Jim’s experiences with braille. Jim is the author of
the Technically Speaking: Computer Tech 101 segment.

As always, I encourage you to email me any questions and or suggestions at
the email noted at the beginning of this article. Now let's find out about
Jim's thoughts, exposure, and involvement with braille.

Q. Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am 50 years old and live in Jacksonville, Florida. I was deemed legally
blind around 1999, due to Cone/Rod Dystrophy. it’s a form of Macular
Degeneration where the rods and cones, starting in the Macula, are
destroyed. I have one sibling, a younger sister, who has Stargardt’s and
can no longer drive. In fact, both of us, when we were both younger, have
been to see the geneticists at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins
Hospital in Baltimore. This is one of the finest eye research and treatment
centers in the world. Anyway, my understanding is that to get the Retinal
disorder I have, the odds are pretty high, as in worse than winning your
State’s Lottery since both parents have to carry the gene. To get 2
children in a row with a Retinal issue, you have better odds at winning the
Lottery, and I’m talking all 6 Numbers, 4 weeks in a row. Needless to say,
the folks at Wilmer had a ball with us.

Q. when did you learn braille?
I learned braille from the Hadley School from 2007 through 2008.

Q. Have you learned UEB?
Yes, I learned Unified English Braille the year after it was adopted in the
United States. I took the Transition to UEB Course, which was offered by
the Hadley School.

Q. When you produce braille which methods do you use?
I use both the Perkins Brailler and a slate and stylus.

Q. When you read braille which methods do you use?
I read braille in hard copy formats.

Q. Do you use braille at home and/ or work?
I use braille at home.

Q. How does braille impact your life?
Labeling items is my main use for braille. Usually when I read for
information, I use Braille but prefer audio for pleasure reading. It is
invaluable in identifying what DVD, flash drive, button on the stove or
other appliance I'm pressing, etc.

Q. In your city do you have access to braille?
I find braille primarily on elevator buttons and commercial signs, such as
the Restroom. Haven't had much luck with getting Braille menus.

Q. Do you have any braille games?
No, I do not have any braille games.

Q. As a braille user, what would you say to a blind person who does not
know braille to encourage them to learn it?
I would ask, “What happens if your device breaks, gets lost, or
malfunctions in some other way? what would you do?” Braille doesn't
"break". In the Navy today, they still keep paper charts even though they
have all kinds of electronics for position keeping because paper doesn't
break. One needs a totally dependable method to use as a backup, at least.

Q. Do you have a cute or novel story to relay that either you or someone
else has done with braille?
While I was learning Braille, I accidentally hit the Braille number instead
of the button and, to this day, still remember the wonder of the "dots" not
just being "dots" but having a meaning. I suppose it's akin to the first
time a sighted person sees a word and it's not just a collection of letters
but means something.

Q. What are your opinions of braille?
Braille is an invaluable system that opens Worlds of independence to those
who can't see. We must all be eternally grateful to Louis Braille for
coming up with a system that is both powerful and flexible so that we who
can't use our eyes can still see.

I want to officially thank Jim for participating in my Q&A and sharing his
experiences with us. In closing, "Braille user's do it with feeling". Why
complicate life with gadgets when you can complement it with braille. A
friendly reminder to stay on the dotted line of life!

Until we meet again in September, keep safe!

Kaleidoscope of KraftsBy Lindy van der Merwe
Lindy at TheBlindPerspective.com <lindy at theblindperspective.com>

Welcome to all our readers from a cold and wintry South Africa. Even though
it is mid-winter over here, many of our readers are in the midst of summer.
Luckily, the project for this month, a table-top miniature garden, can be
created any time of the year.

If I hear you say, "Gardening is not really my thing.", let me assure you
that it is not something I do or am successful at on a regular basis
either. However, you don't have to have a green thumb to grow this little
garden! You can create your own succulent garden that's pretty and
practically maintenance free, because succulents are not only
drought-resistant, but prefer well-drained, soil and most thrive in fairly
dry conditions.

I was immediately intrigued and unable to resist reading the rest of the
article by Amy Vowles on All Parenting.com where she introduces the
table-top succulent garden craft with the words: Do you ever feel like the
quickest way to kill a houseplant is to bring it home with you? If your
thumb is more black than green but you love the look of houseplants, try
bringing some life indoors with succulents! This DIY tabletop garden
requires virtually no maintenance, so it's easy to keep alive even if you
aren't an expert gardener."

So, if, like me, you were smiling while reading the previous sentence, I
hope you will consider trying out the project for this month. The
advantages include a small, manageable garden that won't cost much and will
be easy to set up and maintain, even if you don't have a green thumb. It
could be kept indoors or outdoors and won't take up a lot of space in your
home, yet it is sure to lend that extra special touch.

To help you with choosing some plants for this project, the last link under
the sources list at the end of this article will provide information on 10
indoor and 10 outdoor succulents including their names, appearance and some
basic details on each plant.

What you will need:
A shallow decorative pot or a plate with high sides
4 or 5 small succulents
Terracotta pot or stones of various sizes
Hammer (if using the terracotta pot)
Potting soil
Gravel
Small garden trowel

Directions:
Step 1: Take the terracotta pot outside and use the hammer to break it into
small pieces. If you are not inclined to performing the smashing activity
suggested, quietly gather some stones from your garden or they can be
purchased with your succulent collection. Place the stones or broken
terracotta pieces in the bottom of the decorative pot. This will allow for
extra drainage so that the succulents don't get too moist.

Step 2: Fill the rest of the decorative pot or dish with some potting soil.
When choosing the soil for this type of project, pay close attention to the
plant selection that is being used.
Succulents, for example, do not like wet roots and require a very fast
draining, porous soil – opposed to a typical well-drained potting mix used
for regular houseplants. Try to create a few areas of different heights for
the little Garden. You don’t want it to be entirely flat or it won’t look
very interesting.

Step 3: Set the succulents on top of the soil to determine how you would
like to arrange them. You will need four or five succulents depending on
the size of your pot.

Step 4: Use your garden trowel to dig out a small hole from the soil. Plant
one of the succulents in the hole. Repeat for the remaining succulents,
leaving a couple of inches between each plant.

Step 5: Once all the plants are in, fill in the spaces between the plants
with gravel. Add enough gravel so that the dirt no longer shows through.

Step 6: The final step is the best step: do nothing! Or at least not too
much.

These plants thrive on sun and dry soil, so set them in a sunny window and
be sure to let the soil dry out completely between waterings.

Adding to this basic project, you could experiment with some variations,
e.g. using an old drawer, broken flower pots, an empty water feature or a
bird bath and creating interesting areas or paths that meander around and
across the little garden.
Instead of placing your succulents straight into the soil, consider buying
a small container for each succulent and then place these smaller
containers within the larger vessel.
Your nearest department or thrift store may have interesting containers
that could work well. I recently came across some small metal buckets,
painted in bright colors, for example. You could also add small ornaments
to your garden randomly, or according to a theme. Think of a garden with
different birds or animals, or perhaps some fairies? Alternatively, you
could try to find some other structures like bridges, windmills, arches or
branches resembling tree stumps to add to your garden. Miniature furniture
like tables, chairs and benches could be used to add to your garden setting
as well.

I hope that the above has given you some ideas to try out, either as a
project for yourself or to present as a gift to a lucky recipient.

Until next time, happy crafting and gardening.

Sources:
http://allparenting.com/my-home/articles/968009/diy-tabletop-succulent-garden
https://www.ftd.com/blog/share/types-of-succulents

Spencer's SpotlightBy Cheryl Spencer
Cheryl at TheBlindPerspective.com <cheryl at theblindperspective.com>

In July I attended the ACB Convention at the Union Station Hotel in St
Lewis, Missouri. While there I had the opportunity to explore the exhibit
hall and revisit old things as well as discover new things, one of which is
the focus of this month’s spotlight.

I spoke with Ann DeWitt from a company called Tangible Surface Research.
Based on feedback from the visually impaired community they have developed
products to help people with low or no vision use their touch surface
appliances. The product she was featuring in her booth is called HALO
Tactile Icons. Halo stands for Home Appliance Labeling and Overlay Systems.

I think these tactile stick on icons are a unique way of addressing
labeling needs for the population who are not braille users for one reason
or another. These icons can be used universally. By using different shapes,
they can be used to label home appliances such as a microwave, washing
machine and dryer, dishwasher, and oven.

How do these differ from other labeling items? Well, unlike dots, these
icons not only tell you the location of a button, but the shape gives you a
clue about what the button actually does. Here are a few examples of labels
you could use for a touch screen microwave:
Start: right triangle
Stop/Cancel: the shape of an X
Defrost: shape of a water droplet
Light: large oval at the top with a small oval at the bottom, similar to a
light bulb
Power Level: staircase, increasing from left to right
Popcorn: shape of a popcorn kernel

Their focus is to create shapes that have meaning and make devices and
appliances that have touch screens more accessible. These adhesive icons
can be quite handy for anyone wanting to become more independent in their
home environment. I bought a set of microwave icons for a friend who does
not use braille. I chose the clear ones since her spouse is sighted. For
those who have low vision, you can purchase either orange or black ones for
high contrast.

They bring back the buttons to appliances that have touch screens. Yeah,
that's what I'm talking about!
For more information about this product or to order a set for your
appliances, the web site is:
TangibleSurfaceResearch.com
<http://www.theblindperspective.com/www.tangiblesurfaceresearch.com>

or you can e-mail her at:
TangibleSurfaceResearch at gmail.com <tangiblesurfaceresearch at gmail.com>

Computer Tech101By Jim Morgan
Jim at TheBlindPerspective.com <jim at theblindperspective.com>

So many books, so little time. Based on the Government shutdown earlier
this year and the effect it temporarily had on BARD, I thought, in
conjunction with Carla Jo, we would talk about Audible this time.

As some of you already know, Audible is a subsidiary of Amazon and is
accessed by either Alexa (the Echo, Dot etc.), Smart Phone, Tablet, or
computer. It is a subscription service that provides full length audio
books from many authors, genres, and topics. I’m sure there are Audible
members out there. In fact, Talking Books, or BARD, if you prefer, uses
Audible for some of its’ books. I’m not sure if it’s much cheaper for NLS
(National Library Service) but it’s a lot faster since most of the
production work is already done and they just have to put in the BARD
markers and announcements.

The way that it works is that you download the books from their Website.
they have 3 pricing levels. These are Silver, Gold, and Platinum. What
happens is that on a monthly, or bi-monthly basis, in the case of the
Silver plan, you receive a credit for 1 or 2 books. The Silver plan, which
costs 14 dollars every other month, gives a credit of 1 book every other
month. The Gold plan, which costs either 14 dollars and 95 cents per month
or 149 dollars and 50 per year, gives a credit of 1 book per month. Lastly,
the Platinum plan, which costs either 22 dollars and 95 cents per month or
229 dollars and 50 cents per year, gives a credit for 2 books per month.
The difference between the monthly and yearly plans is that you get all the
credits for the year at once with the yearly plan instead of having to wait
until the next month. In addition, the yearly cost is equivalent to only 10
months’ worth of monthly charges but you still get the full 12 or 24
credits. You can purchase more books, but there is a separate charge for
them.

The thing about Audible is that they very well may have books that BARD
doesn’t have nor doesn’t plan to produce anytime soon. I can cite examples
of this if requested. Also, in some cases, they’ll get the books faster
than BARD; but, of course, there’s no guarantee of this.

The other thing you need to know is that the books are in a specialized
format like the books we get from BARD. While they can be played on the
devices I mentioned above, including the Victor Reader Stream, they will
not play on the Digital Player from the Library nor an MP3 Player.
Obviously, this could be limiting for some, but there are other options. As
with BARD books that you download, the books are yours to keep and do not
have an “expiration date” like books from sites like Overdrive, I think
that’s the site, where they have to be “returned” within a certain time
frame. Unfortunately, there are no “free” subscription plans available like
with some sites where you can get a free membership due to enrollment at
Hadley or some other promotion.

In the final analysis, Audible is a wonderful service that is a great
alternative to Talking books and, unlike ripping books from CD’s that you
get from the Library, is not technically illegal. While there are
limitations with regard to accessibility, I believe it’s’ merits far
outweigh those limitations.

Should you have any other questions about Audible, please feel free to
contact the Audible Support line. The number is (888) 283-5051. The folks
there are very helpful and will be more than happy to answer any questions
you may have. In addition, they can sign you up for Audible while on the
phone.

As always, should you have any other questions, please feel free to contact
me and I’ll help as much as possible. You can E-mail me at my address
above. Happy computing!

A Time to PlantBy Sue Brasel
Sue at TheBlindPerspective.com <sue at theblindperspective.com>

Have you tried to grow herbs? I grow many varieties of mint in hanging
baskets. Each time I walk by, I can rub the leaves to smell the mint
fragrance. By picking off a sprig, I can refresh a glass of water. Seeing
and tasting mint leaves in their ice cubes is fun! Chopped mint adds a
sparkle to fruit salads or a tasty addition to coleslaw.

Some people grow single containers of herbs as a focal point for
entertaining. Group several small containers on a table if salad is one of
the menu items. Some people prefer only lettuce, while others like to snip
off a few pieces of chives or have a few basil leaves in addition to their
basic greenery. A meal is interesting when you can see and feel the herbs
used in sauces or garnishes.

Large containers can be planted with a variety of herbs. When planting a
few herbs together, different plants can be emphasized. Consider the height
of full grown plants, the colors of the leaves or flowers, textures, and
possibly the scents.

Search the internet to discover the potential height of full grown plants.
When considering where to place them in a container, allow tall plants to
be in the center of a round container that can be walked around or on the
backside of a container close to a wall. Ground cover varieties will grow
out and drape over the side of planters. Medium sized choices fill spaces
between tall and short plants. Tall varieties are known as thriller plants,
medium sized varieties can be called the filler plants, and the ground
cover ones are known as spiller plants. If you keep the thriller, filler
and spiller theme in mind, a large container will appear well designed.

Some plants offer exciting colors. A variegated plant will have automatic
color appeal. Same named plants, such as wild purple basil, which has
reddish-purple leaves, and green leaf basil, which most people are familiar
with, allow you to choose colorful options. When your herbs display
flowers, that also adds a “pop” of color.

Leaf size might offer an appealing array for you to feel. Thyme, with small
draping leaves, medium sized oregano plants with larger leaves, and lemon
grass with long slender leaves could be arrangement for different textured
leaves. Shiny vs. fuzzy leaves could offer a sensual variety for those of
us who like to touch our plants.

Fragrant plants can be grouped together for a focus. Consider for example,
the lemon scented plants. Lemon mint, lemon verbena, and lemon grass are
just a few choices you could consider. You might get to the point where you
recognize your plants by their scents.

Whether you have a single herb in a small container or a large planter with
several varieties of herbs, I encourage you to experiment with your
gardening skills. Plants that you can savor might become your new hobby!

Now I have to take “thyme” to get my newest herbs planted!

the Alternating Duo: Seeing the World DifferentlyBy Lois Strachan
Lois at TheBlindPerspective.com <lois at theblindperspective.com>

I was sitting in a restaurant in Athens, Greece. At the next table, another
tourist was complaining to her friend about how cold it was, she’d
apparently expected the weather to be a lot warmer and had forgotten to
pack any jackets and pullovers.

I absolutely love lists. I use them constantly to keep track of the various
aspects of my life; my writing, my speaking, my blogging, as well as
keeping track of the things I need to do, the books I want to read, the
music I want to listen to and, of course, what I need to buy when I next go
shopping. So, it’s no surprise that I use lists a lot when I travel; from
lists of places I want to visit right the way through to my list of what to
take with me, because I never want to be the woman sitting in that
restaurant in Athens complaining that I don’t have the clothing I need.
Today I want to share a little about how I use lists to make travelling a
far less stressful experience.

I have a generic travel list that I keep on my laptop with a list of
everything I usually take with me when I travel, from clothing, medication,
and travel documents all the way through to the technology I want to take
with me. That list serves several purposes. Obviously, I use it as a
reference when I’m packing my travel bags. I find it the best way to be
sure I don’t forget anything. It removes all the stress of packing. But I
also use it earlier in my travel preparation to identify items I may need
to buy or replace before I leave on my travels.

Of course, that packing list gets updated and adapted depending on the
specifics of each trip. I’ve just returned from a trip to Germany and
Poland. Though it’s currently winter in Cape Town where I live, I knew I
was heading into European summer. I checked on my iPhone to see what the
weather was going to be like; mostly warm and rainy. So, I removed some
(but not all) of the jackets and long-sleeved shirts on the list and
replaced them with more summer clothing. And added a lightweight rain
jacket.

Some of you may think I go overboard with my lists, but I even include
items like battery chargers for each of the electronic devices I’m taking
with me; my iPhone, iPod (yes, I still use one of those), my book reader,
and my camera (yes, I use one of those as well, since I take many of the
photos I use in my blog articles). I just find it easier to include
absolutely everything on that list so there’s no danger of me leaving
anything behind.

This list gets converted into a format I can take with me and, together
with my lists of travel plans, contacts for each of the places I’m staying,
and any additional information I might need while I’m away, remains with me
at all times.

Whether you think I’m super-organized or over-organized, this is simply
what works for me. And it’s reassuring to know I’ll always have what I need
with me.

As you’ve probably guessed, this is the first in a series of articles about
what I do before I head off to see the world. In future articles I want to
look at other related topics like how I research the places I want to
visit, the technology I use when I travel, and some of the travel companies
that specialize in working with passengers with disabilities who want to
travel but aren’t comfortable doing so alone. I’d love to hear from you if
you have anything to add to those topics, or if there are other topics
you’d like me to cover. You can e-mail me on the address given at the start
of this article; I’d love to hear your thoughts!

And, till then, happy travels!

The Rotating Trio: PotpourriBy Suzy B
Suzy at TheBlindPerspective.com <suzy at theblindperspective.com>
With summer in full swing, keeping cool can often create major problems. A
cooling trick which can be used in and out of doors is a neck cooler. Yes,
that is exactly what I said. If googling, you can come up with many, many
hits, but let's see what can be done with what you have on hand.

Take a clean hand towel or dish towel and soak in cold water. Wring out as
much water as possible, and wrap around your neck. The back of your neck,
behind the knees and inside the elbows are points to apply cool cloths if
overheated. Getting cooled down will help with resting/sleeping more
comfortably.

Hot weather also brings out the smells of kitchen trash cans. Rinse off
those paper plates, plastic and frozen food containers. Yes, it sounds like
washing your garbage. You will be reducing unpleasant odors and invitations
to ants who are always looking for a picnic.

Use discarded air-tight containers like jars, Tide pod tubs and used zip
loc bags for things that can't be run through the garbage disposal. Heat
intensifies the smell of all of these.

Here are two simple and easy ways to cut down on kitchen trash can odors.
First place newspaper in the bottom of your trash can and some at the
bottom of each new trash bag to absorb any spilled liquids. Secondly, tape
a scented dryer sheet to the trash can liner near the top of the bag. The
scented dryer sheet will mask unpleasant odors for a week or more.

So, until next time, keep cool and keep your kitchen fresh smelling!

Cooking ConcoctionsBy Maxine
Maxine at TheBlindPerspective.com <maxine at theblindperspective.com>

For those of us in the midst of summer, it is the best time to get out to
the local farm stands and pick up your favorite fresh fruits, vegetables,
herbs, and spices! For our readers in the southern hemisphere, if you do
not have access to the fresh herbs or spices, dried ones will work as well.
The first recipe uses fresh dill to create a cool and delicious dip. The
second recipe uses fresh chives, parsley and oregano. In addition, if you
have a garden and plant your own vegetables, then use your eggplant,
tomatoes, and peppers for this yummy eggplant dish.

Creamy Dill Dip
Ingredients:
1 package (8ounces) cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup sour cream
2 Tablespoons finely chopped green onion
½ teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons finely chopped fresh dillweed (1/3 if dried)
½ teaspoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons milk (optional)

Directions:
1. In a medium bowl, blend cream cheese and sour cream with an electric
mixer until smooth.
2. Mix in green onions, salt, dill and garlic.
3. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to blend flavors.
4. If the dip is too thick after chilling, stir in milk 1 tablespoon at a
time until you reach your desired consistency.
Serve with fresh vegetables and/ or crackers. I like cucumbers the best!

Eggplant Lasagna
Makes 5 to 6 servings.
Ingredients:
1 large eggplant
1/4 to 1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 pound ground beef
1 large yellow onion, coarsely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup fresh parsley, minced
1/2 cup green pepper, finely chopped
1/2 cup tomato sauce
3 tablespoons fresh oregano, chopped
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1 cup Ricotta cheese
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup tomato sauce
2 cups Mozzarella cheese, grated
1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Chives or green onion, for garnish, if desired

Directions:
1. Peel and cut eggplant into 1/2 inch thick slices.
2. In a large saucepan, heat oil till hot and saute slices until lightly
brown on both sides. Let dry on paper towels.
3. Brown ground beef in same pan, until almost cooked.
4. Add onion, garlic, parsley, green pepper, 1/2 cup tomato sauce, oregano
and seasoned salt.
5. Cook until beef is done and vegetables are beginning to soften.
6. Mix Ricotta cheese with egg and 1/2 cup tomato sauce.
7. Butter or spray a large casserole dish with cooking spray.
8. Layer one-half of eggplant slices, one-half of ground beef mixture,
one-half of Ricotta cheese mixture and one-half of other cheeses. Repeat,
ending with cheeses.
9. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 1 hour, or until hot and bubbly.
Vegetarian: omit ground beef

Riddle & Brain BusterBy Alex Smart
Alex at TheBlindPerspective.com <alex at theblindperspective.com>
RiddleWhat is easy to get into, but hard to get out of?

Answer to July’s riddle
I stand when I am sitting and I jump when I am walking. What am I?
A kangaroo.

Brain BusterBody Parts
Name two parts of the body that are pluralized, not by adding an S, but by
changing their vowels.

Answers to July’s brain buster
2 By 2
Stand. Still
Shell. Shock
Match. Maker
Hobby. Horse
Round. Robin
Flash. Flood
Marsh. Mallow
Whole. Wheat
Sharp. Shooter
Tummy. Tuck
Magic. Marker
Cable. Car

ClassifiedNew Vision Ministries

Timothy and I invite you to come and visit New Vision Ministries for the
Blind and Challenged!

Our goal is to encourage and entertain, while making health-care ministry
more accessible. We are both totally blind, and we visit and entertain the
residents of nursing homes and other health-care facilities throughout
Arizona.

Please come to our site, as your prayers are appreciated. In the mean-time,
our website features the long-running Unshackled program of Christian radio
dramas, in its entirety. Additionally, you can read over 200 devotional
blogs, and test your knowledge with a daily Bible quiz. These features and
more await you on our site.

To find us, just go to: www.mynvm.com

Thank you!

The Blind PerspectiveWhere we aim to keep you informed and entertained
The Blind Perspective <http://www.theblindperspective.com/>
Subscribe by sending an email to: TheBlindPerspective+subscribe at groups.io
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Thank you for reading the Blind Perspective!© 2015-2018 All rights
reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any way without
the prior expressed written permission of The Blind Perspective. THE END
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Wishing You All the Best,

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A man has made at least a start on discovering the meaning of human life
when he plants shade trees under which he knows full well he will never sit.
--D. Elton Trueblood
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