Great things about being blind. When you're a little anxious by smelling smoke.

We were away for the weekend and took the train back yesterday. It is so nice to have a small guide dog who can fit comfortably at my feet on the train. We boarded and Tulia curled up at my feet. Soon after leaving the station, I smelled smoke. Lots of it. Others pointed out to train staff about the smoke. I was nervous at first and then realized that Tulia was lying sound asleep on my feet. If it had been very dangerous, I think her canine instincts to flee would have gotten her up at least sitting up and sniffing. It made me calmer. The train stopped. Smell of smoke grew less. They checked everything out and thought it was due to new brake pads. On we went. No more smoke until we approached our station. Then I smelled it again but not as strongly. so, Tulia was right. Nothing to worry about. I am so so much calmer in these situations with a steady, calm guide at my feet. Thank you to my guide dogs for being such wonderful workers and companions.

Great things about being blind. Touching the elephant.

Yesterday, I wrote about touching a koala bear. It reminded me that when I was quite small, I was allowed to touch an elephant at the zoo.
I don't remember much about it as I was very little. I do remember climbing up a kind of ladder and then being lifted up to touch the elephant's side. It felt like a coconut I remember too. I am always grateful for people at museums, zoos, and other places that let me touch forbidden things. How else will I know what they are like after all?

Performing next week at the children's festival.

I am performing next week on November 5 at the children's storytelling festival in Ottawa. At the library and archives on wellington street from 3-4.
Admission is free.
Although it is a children's festival, my set is fun for people of all ages.
The theme is friendship.
Please come and enjoy.

Great things about being blind. Touching a koala bear.

I hadn't thought of this in a long time. A friend yesterday posted something on facebook about a koala bear and it made me think of this. When I was in University, my dad lived in Australia working for the Canadian government. I went to visit him there one christmas. We went to a zoo of sorts. Not a real zoo as the animals were free within the grounds. Kangaroos, camels, even a wombat. I touched them all. It was so wonderful to feel the fur or hair, the shape of them. To listen to rare birds. The man who owned the farm took me around and let me touch things. Generally, no one was allowed to touch anything. We reached the koala lying on a branch. He said, "I'm going to let you touch the koala's back. Just so you know, the queen of england was here and I wouldn't even let her touch the koala." I did touch its nice soft fur. Go blind people. We can do things sometimes even royalty doesn't get to do.

Great things about being blind. Answering questions.

Recently, I was sitting on a bus and a woman started talking to me. She said that a relative of hers was losing vision. She was very curious about how I used my ipod. Of course I had it with me. We then talked about guide dogs, canes, computers, marking appliances, and all kinds of things. She was very intelligent, interested, and asked great questions. She was a pleasure to be around. I hope that I helped her and maybe her relative too.

great things about being blind. Education of the public continues.

Recently, I was waiting for a bus at a busy stop. I don't always use this but there is a card you can hold up to tell the drivers which bus you want. It comes with a pack of numbers, brailled in the corners and large print. I can slip the numbers of the bus I want into this plastic sleeve and hold it up. I only do this at very busy stops when I need a certain bus. I had it the other day. The bus stopped. I got on. A man came up to me on the bus and said, "My friends and I are having a debate. Do you have those numbers so you can teach your dog which bus to find?" I laughed so hard. Couldn't help it. I explained that the numbers were for the driver or those around me to read. My dog is smart but I doubt she can learn to read although that would be handy for reading documents etc wouldn't it?

Great things about being blind. Where is the hotel?

This must be my week for being asked where places are. I guess I look like I know where I'm going when I'm out walking. That is a good thing. A tourist stopped me esterday to ask where a certain downtown hotel is. I knew where it was and could direct her. She was very grateful and said others around us had no clue where it was and they could see. Go blind people!