The Neighborhood News Anniversary Issue

### Table of Contents

1. Greetings from Patty and all in The Campbell Kingdom. 2. Treat of the Month. 3. Neighborhood News. 4. Literary Submission 5. Link of the Month and In the Hood: With Tips, Tricks, and More. 6. Products and Services. 7. Submission Information. 8. Subscription Information. 9. Authors Corner and the Twilight Bark. 10. Wrap-up and editor info.

### 1. Greetings from Patty and all The Campbell Kingdom

Hello readers! Welcome to an extended anniversary edition of The Neighborhood News! This month Campbell and I are celebrating our fifth year together.

On April 4 2011 a leather leash was placed in my hand, and I was introduced to this most amazing dog. At that moment my life changed forever. Since that time, I have been inspired to do many things. One of them has been to create an online news and literary magazine. I have finally settled on the title The Neighborhood News.

When first beginning The Neighborhood News was known as The Campbell’s Corner Neighborhood Newsletter. As we went along however, feedback from readers suggested they’d like a different title, one which was shorter, easier to say, but conveyed the same message. So The Neighborhood News was born.

My then editor, Leonore Dvorkin assisted me with the first phase of the creation process of the magazine.

Over time, however I had the need and desire to go in to technical waters, Leonore had not yet swum in, so she and I parted ways professionally and I brought Claire Plaisted of Plaisted Publishing House on board, and she has, through her continued desire and ability to learn, and understanding my ever changing technical needs, brought forth changes within the Neighborhood News which are receiving rave reviews from its readers.

This month’s issue makes one whole year of The Neighborhood News. I am proud to have come thus far with all of you.

Mission Statement

Of The Neighborhood News

I want to create a safe place for people to learn and grow together. A ‘Neighborhood’ if you will, of people who are connected but unique in their own way as well. A place where I can not only share what I know, but where you the people living in ‘Neighborhoods’ all over the world can write in and share what you know, and what you’re learning of, and doing as well.

~~~~There are some slight changes to this month’s issue so please? Read the entire newsletter this time. I know from my own Newsletter reading experience that we skip things like, Products and Services, Administrative Details, etc after we’ve been through them a time or two. Those things don’t always change month to month. This month, however there are a few new items I’d like you to note. Changes in price, and a few comments I’d like to have feedback on if you please? I want to make this a community of love, acceptance education and fun.

“Come along and go with me, and let us see what we can see, we are one, yet we are we!”

Don’t know if this will get me a bestseller, but it sure is lots of fun! I hope it is for you as well. If it is not, help me make it so. Blessid Be.

### Quote

We were all born with a certain degree of power. The key to success is discovering this innate power and using it daily to deal with whatever challenges come our way.

Les Brown

### 2. Treat of the Month Once again Tasha Halpert has been a gracious contributor. I am enjoying her Treat of the Month contributions. Let us know what you think. Send a comment to the Twilight Bark.

Have a Treat of your own? Send it to me as well. Find all the submission info in Administrative Details.

### Heartwings Love Notes 717: A Basket of Easter Memories

Heartwings says, "With every holiday happy memories return to freshen our hearts."

On Easter my family usually went to dinner with Great Aunt Alice. Until my sister was born when I was eight, I was always the only child present. Aunt Alice had several toys she would bring out to amuse me. One was a little truck loaded with alphabet blocks. They had letters, numbers and pictures on them. Even now I can see the small, red and yellow toy with a string to pull it by. The other was a very special, ancient rabbit that lived inside a head of cloth lettuce.

When it was wound--only adults were allowed to do that, and the golden knob on the side was pulled out, a rabbit head would emerge, extend itself and turn. Its ears would rise into the air. Then it would chew on the small piece of cloth lettuce in its mouth. When it finished, it would retract into the cloth lettuce. I loved patting the rabbit. It was covered in soft, white fur. It did not play music or do anything more than just that. I believe it had been in the family at least since my Great Aunt was a child.

Adults drank cocktails, I had ginger ale. Aunt Alice served peanut butter on crackers and nuts in a bowl. Too young to read, I sat on the big rug and played with the blocks. Dinner was upstairs. The table gleamed with silver and cut glass. The food was brought in by women in black uniforms with white aprons. There was usually soup, then a roast and vegetables, and finally, dessert, followed by fingerbowls to dip fingers into and cloth napkins to dry them with. My treat would be the chocolates for after dinner, something we never had at home.

Time is a strange accordion. It can compress decades into years, and years into moments. I can see so clearly the rug I sat on to play with the blocks and watch again the white bunny with the pink glass eyes rising up out of the faded green cloth leaves. It looks so real as it turns its head, the ears rise into the air and it chews on its bit of green cloth. I can feel again the soft fur as I pat the head and the ears, stiff with wire beneath the fur. What was only yesterday has added itself to now, creating an Easter basket of memories for me to enjoy.

May your memories of happy times enrich your present and bring you joy.

Blessings and Best Regards, Tasha Halpert

I'd love it if you would like to share any memories you have with me, or comment on mine. It is always a treat to hear from readers. If you wish to subscribe please let me know. I promise no one else will hear of your email address nor will you receive anything else from me.

*** Hi Tasha Patty back to say thanks for this most awesome treat. Thanks to my having read this, I was able to break my writer’s block and write of an Easter memory myself. While most of my Awesome Easter Memories center around my daughter, this one comes from my time at The Seeing Eye Check it out at: https://campbellsworld.wordpress.com/2016/03/28/an-awesome-easter-memory/

### 3. Neighbourhood News

### Recap

As Campbell and I have already reported, we have had our book Campbell’s Rambles for sale out at ‘I Love Books,’ in the Kingsport Town Center. We told you that the books had begun to sell. Well, folks, they all sold out, and the manager of the store has bought more,

First I’d really like to thank all of you who have either bought books from there or who have helped to spread the word about them being there. I encourage you to please visit this awesome book store soon. If you’ve not already done so, buy a book. If you’ve already got a copy of our book, then by all means, stop by and buy one for a friend, or loved one. The very awesome manager of the store will be more than glad to take care of you.

He will even give credit to me for an online sale, if you request my book from his website. Check out: http://www.kingsportbookstore.com/ today!

Campbell and I recently stopped by and signed copies of the books that were bought to replace those that sold out. So there are signed copies just waiting to be bought and read once again.

We also still have books with another local business. That’s Dilly’s Curiosity Shop, at 1121 N. Eastman Road in Kingsport, Tennessee, in the Greenacres Shopping Center.

Should you ever find yourself in their neck of the woods, stop in and say hi. Tell ’em Patty and Campbell sent you! Their attractive website: http://www.dillyshop.com/

By the way, if you enjoy The Neighbourhood News, you’re bound to enjoy Dilly’s Curiosity Shop’s newsletter as well. Make sure to take a look at their website, and sign up today!

Speaking of Dilly’s, Campbell and I were there selling and signing books not long ago. If for some reason you’d hoped to join us that day but something stopped you, you can still

get in on the action. All you have to do is either go by their North Eastman RD location and pick one up, or, go to the website shown here, and request a book. They will be happy to sell one to you.

See their website for more info, and if you wish to donate directly to The Seeing Eye see: http://www.TheSeeingEye.org

Campbell and I have a Facebook page called Campbell’s Rambles. It’s for the promotion of books, ezines, blogs, Facebook pages, and groups. We are always putting up new things, so make sure to stop by and take a look, and invite your friends to like it as well. We are happy to promote folks other than ourselves, so be sure to stop by. Share a link, a blog post, or anything

you think will help get the word out about whatever it is that you love to do. If it’s your passion, we want to help let everyone know!

Speaking of blogs! Campbell’s World continues growing by leaps and bounds. If you take a chance, and click the link below, you will discover an awesome world like no other you’ve visited before.

So take a breath, gather your nerve, and click today https://campbellsworld.wordpress.com/

If you have something you’ve written that you’d like to post as a guest writer on my blog, shoot me an Email to the address given in Administrative Details.

A couple of our readers are already guest bloggers. They provide such posts as:

Article on Aging for Recovering the Self MagazineBy Leonore H. Dvorkin / Copyright February 2016Originally published July 2012 / Updated February 2016

To see all our guest bloggers go to https://campbellsworld.wordpress.com/guest-blogger/This month in the neighbourhood reader comments, we even have a new contributor. Welcome! To Jordan Gallacher! We also have a surprise in the Author’s Corner, so keep an eye out! In our ongoing effort to make a place where folks can come together and leave their differences behind, Campbell, Bob Cat and I have along with Campbell’s Corner: the Comfort Zone, and Bob Cat and Friends, created a new and awesome Facebook group called Patty and Pals. I have to say that out of all our Facebook groups this one is the chattiest and most fun. We share our joys, sorrows, and occasionally someone gets on a rant? But no one is ugly mean or intolerant. When you visit Patty and Pals you will find nothing but acceptance forgiveness and love. So we hope you’ll join us there soon.We have begun something new on Facebook. Each month we will be having a Proof Reading Challenge. There will be prises, so make sure to check us out!

*** “Bob Cat here, if you will join me on Bob Cat and Friends, I’ll be sharing the story of what went on here while my mommy was away last weekend very soon. It will be this month’s Facebook Proof Reading Challenge! Meow!”

As you know one of the things I am doing is to raise awareness of folks who own and handle a Service Dog, and as a result Campbell and I were blessed with the privilege of doing an interview for one of our local TV stations. The issue? Discrimination against Service Dogs.

To see this interview go to http://www.wcyb.com/news/kingsport-woman-raises-awareness-of-ada-regulations-on-guide-

dogs/37425498

If you’ve had an issue where you feel you were discriminated against we would like to hear from you.

What happened? Where? How did you handle it? Is it resolved or ongoing?

Well, as it turns out one of our very own has indeed had discrimination issues over the years. As we know discrimination issues don’t just include service animals. Jordan has written in to share his experience with us. Take it away Jordan.

### Reader Comment

I had more problems at Southeastern Louisiana University than I can even go into, but this one just plain takes the cake. I had a professor who kept trying to refuse to allow me to use any of my assistive technology.  He was attempting to complain that what I was using was distracting other students.  I made sure to complain to as many people as I could think of at the time since the Disability Services Office was siding with the professor, which was not an uncommon practice at this university at that time. I then complained to my assistive technology person who was helping me with a couple of things. Her solution was just plain perfect, and I would have done it too had she been able to lend me a Brailler.  Her solution was, “Fine you don’t want me using what I normally use; I’ll use this.” We all know how loud Perkins Braillers can be.   I’m not sure what finally made the professor back off, but he eventually did.

*** Thanks Jordan, You know? I know that was a few years back for you, but sadly I’d bet a dollar to a dog treat we’ve still got issues going on like this today. Y’all make sure to check Jordan’s advert out in Products and Services. Bet that professor wishes he’d left this one alone. He’s become rather successful.

Another thing going on... Campbell and I are going to school. No! I’m not going to go to college. I would surely run in to a professor such as what Jordan has written of above if I did. Campbell and I presented our new ‘Reading on Campbell’s Corner,’ Volunteer program to the Kingsport City School Family Liaison group on March 10th. We kicked off the idea at the Andrew Johnson Elementary Literacy Night on March 1st and it was a huge hit. You can go to our blog and read all about it.

We met some awesome kids with great potential, and other than the fact that Campbell had just a bit too much interest in Humphrey the Hamster, who by the way we have learned is in fact Humphreyetta instead, and is now the proud mother of three, it went very well.

We hope you’ll go and read of it soon.

### What’s New?

I have joined the Project Starfish of America Writer’s Guild.

The mission of the Project Starfish of America Writer’s Guild is as I am aware to promote the return of outsource work to the U.S.A by providing business owners with high quality disabled writers thus providing cost affective quality products for you, the business owner, and employment for those disabled working in the U.S.A as well.

If you’d like to learn more seehttp://www.pstarfish.org

### Coming Up Soon...

Campbell and I will be participating in a Children’s Information Fair on May 1st at Sugar Hollow Park in Bristol Virginia. We will be there from 1-PM to 5-PM handing out information packets containing such things as Brochures from The Seeing Eye, and our very own pamphlets concerning things such as our new volunteer program “Stop and Read On Campbell’s Corner” Make sure you mark your calendars and come out for this most awesome children’s event. There will be Police Cars, and Fire Trucks galore, Pets and Kisses from The Super Seeing Eye Dog King Campbell, and lots lots more!

### 4. Literary Submission OK folks, here we are with part five of our murder mystery. I hope you’ve been following this. If last month’s chapter was any indication this is fixen to get mighty interesting. Here we go!

### Stephen Halpert

Murder in Grafton Center, Part Five

Sherry and I left Ernest Dickens quietly rocking on his porch. We placed the two jugs of Honey Acorn Cordial on the back seat of Sherry's Volvo and carefully navigated our way down Wild Elk Road and onto Route 122. As we past the supermarket complex Sherry saw the maroon SUV idling at the exit to the parking lot.

She shrugged. "Whoever's on our tail doesn't seem to mind our knowing.""Could be coincidental. Lots of maroon SUV's on the road these days."She turned right onto Providence Highway and into the entrance of Grafton Police

Headquarters. Officer Sippi Bopp was at the desk behind the darkened glass wall. She announced our arrival over the intercom and directed us to Inspector Mallory's office. Jenkins and West had already arrived and were drinking coffee with Mallory.

Mallory waved us toward two folding chairs.

"Autopsy?" Jenkins asked. As usual the Boston Homicide Commander was all business."More drugs inside her than you'd find in an apothecary." Mallory said dryly. "It's a wonder

she was still on her feet when she made it out the front door." He perused the Medical Examiner's Report and handed it to Jenkins.

"Doesn't it seem strange to you her wandering alone into a pond at 2:30 in the morning?" West asked. "It's cold out now."

Mallory’s eyes were red and he looked tired. "Nothing seems strange to me anymore. Look at it this way. She was a good friend of the deceased. By the time she left their house everyone was long gone. She probably needed some fresh air before driving home; she wandered across the garden down to the pond; and slipped and fell in."

But Jenkins was right on it. "Got an exact time of death?" Mallory shook his head and looked up at them. "Anywhere's between one and two AM." He

sighed. "I know you suspect there's something going on here, two close acquaintances dead within days of each other."

"But no indication of foul play?" West asked.Mallory ruffled copies of the Medical Report. "Who can say for sure? Yes, she drowned. But

don't forget the alcohol and pills.""Any chance we could talk to her husband?""Once he's back. His office at the Vet School said he was returning from a weeklong

conference in Chicago.""Is that verified?" I asked"He's registered at the Sheraton there." "Mind if Ms Burke and I visit the Vet School?""Is that necessary?""Curbs curiosity," I said. "May as well ascertain everything's on the up and up." He looked at me and frowned, then spoke into his intercom. "Bopp. Chief Inspector's Office."Moments later Sippi Bopp came in. Mallory stared at her. "This is Dancer and Sherry Burke, two private investigators from

Boston. They want to go to the Vet school. Accompany them. Report back to me everything that occurs."

"Yes sir." She looked at us nervously.I couldn't help but wonder if she had planned on spending any time with Juice. "Let's take my Volvo," Sherry said, "seems less official that way than pulling up in a cruiser."

She nodded at Sippi. "You and I can sit up front and Dancer can have the back." Dr. Lamar Worthington's office at The Vet School took up the entire third floor of the Wesson

Building. Wearing a starched white blouse and a gray suit his associate, Dr. Cora Lynch greeted us. She was tall and slender, her eyes hidden behind tinted framed glasses. Her steely gray hair was pulled flat against her skull.

"Just a few questions about Dr Worthington," Sherry said. "We're trying to be of help. But don't I recognize you from last night during visiting hours?"

Her smile never quite reached her eyes and disappeared quickly. She rubbed her hands together. Then she nodded. "Yes, yes I was at their home. Terrible loss." She sighed and shook her head.

"And Dr. Worthington is returning from his conference?" I asked."Yes." Her eyelids fluttered nervously. "When did he leave?"

"This morning, the 7:05 flight, Southwest Air. No sooner had he arrived than the police notified him about Mrs. Worthington's accident. He's on his way back to Grafton."

Sippi Bopp wrote something down in her notebook. "You've been with Dr Worthington for long?" Sherry asked. She nodded. "Yes. Back when he was awarded his grants I helped him assemble his staff.""My dad could have used a woman like you," Sherry said. "All his secretaries were forgetful

and none of them could type.""I'm his Director of Research," she said smugly. "I hold two degrees in Veterinary Medicine."

She sounded indignant. "I'm not a secretary. The Department has two secretaries."Sherry nodded. "In that you seem to handle his schedule, I thought…"An older balding man in a white lab coat came into her office. He smiled at Dr. Cora Lynch.

"Lamar about? Could you get him on the horn for me and tell him we need him at the lab?""No, but I can help you," she said quickly. Abruptly she nodded, turned, and opened her

office door. "I'm sorry but I must attend to this." As we left I overheard her say, "From the beginning I've had my doubts about that new vaccine."

(To be continued)

*** What’s this? New vaccine? This is the first we’ve heard of such. Could it have something to do with the deaths in Grafton?

Wouldn’t you just love to try some of that Acorn Cordial? Need a previous portion of this tail? Go to http://campbellsworld.wordpress.com/ for back

issues.

### 5. Link of the Month and In the Hood with Tips, Tricks, and More...

This month I’d like to start us out with an awesome Link of the Month. This one will entertain and educate all at one time. Multi-tasking at its finest and about

networking to boot! Who in this fast paced world can’t use a bit more learning in that department?

Enjoy!

### Want to learn more about business networking than you ever thought possible? Listen to

Kevin Willet gives his presentation.

\http://www.60minute.org/event/60m2i-business-networking/

### In the Hood

Here are just a few things readers have sent in to let us know about what is going on in their Neighbourhoods.

***!!! Featured Neighbour This Month: Laura Legendary

I am to blitz this! Please assist me in doing so! Fundraising for the first leg of this project runs through April 10 th but the project will be ongoing!

### Just imagine being the sighted partner of a blind person and having a special gift such as what is described below for a special occasion. With these awesome products you can finally give that special someone something they can see all on their own. You can watch their eyes light up as they open their gift and realize they can finally read the engraving! I cannot imagine what it would be like to have someone give me such a gift! It would be a treasure to behold and I'd want to show it to the world. I can see me getting on the bus saying to everyone I passed "Look! See! My beautiful___" Then when they wanted to know what it said it would be me explaining not the other way around! How cool is that? Read the info below and help make this a reality for a person such as myself!

Hello friends and neighbors! My name is Laura Legendary, and I am the unlikely entrepreneur behind the jewelry and accessories collection, Elegant Insights Braille Creations. What makes me an unlikely entrepreneur? For one thing, I am a business owner who is blind. It may strike you as surprising that a person who is blind would start her own business, until you realize that with the tremendous rate of unemployment in the blind community, starting up your own enterprise makes sense. I am an employer who does not need to be convinced of my competence and abilities.

Elegant Insights began as an idea that was inspired by a gift I received when struggling through a difficult period in my life. The gift was a little worry stone, with the word "survivor" engraved on one side, and the same word embossed in Braille on the other. As I considered how I might drill a hole through the stone and wear it around my neck, or some other way to keep it close for comfort, the entire concept of the Elegant Insights Braille jewelry line came to me in a single flash of inspiration.

That was in 2009, and since then, I have created a product line consisting of traditional jewelry items, as well as accessories, such as purse charms, bookmarks, mobility cane charms, keytags, and even barware. Why in the world, you may be wondering, would anyone want to wear jewelry embossed in Braille?

For someone who is blind or visually impaired, Braille is used as a substitute for printed text. It is a system of raised dots that are arranged to form letters, numbers, and punctuation. It is how people who are blind read, write, and access everything from sheet music to menus to computer code. If one cannot see ink on paper, Braille literacy can be the key to success in education, communication, and employment. Even if a person who is blind does not read Braille fluently, they may be proficient enough to use Braille to identify objects with tags, labels, signs, or notes that are attached to items around the home or office. Braille may have special meaning to a person in the blind community, as it represents a form of communication unique to that community. In the same way that American Sign Language is emblematic of the deaf community, Braille is embraced by the blind community as representative of literacy, self determination, and independence.

For many of the same reasons that one might wear a t-shirt emblazoned with their college mascot, or a sports team jersey, a favorite brand ball cap or designer label, Braille symbolizes a group affiliation, or represents something meaningful, or makes a statement that sets us apart. It's also a great conversation starter. Ever seen someone sporting a tattoo with symbols, numbers, or Chinese characters? It is unlikely the bearer of the tattoo reads Chinese, or ancient Sanskrit, or hieroglyphics, yet they proudly show off the tattoo because they were told what the characters mean, and they will happily translate the phrases on their skin and share with anyone who asks what it means. It is a secret message, a way to evangelize that which is important to them; it can raise awareness or start a dialogue that can inspire others. Braille is no different.

Besides, Braille is beautiful. When embossed onto our gleaming metals, such as brass, copper, or stainless steel, combined with opaque gemstones and glittering crystals, you have an altogether distinctive look that is both visually and tactually interesting. Style is for everyone. It is a form of self-expression that we can adopt as our own statement as to whom we are and what is important to us. So, why not jewelry embossed in Braille?

Elegant Insights has been in business for about five years, and we are growing. Soon we plan to open an Amazon shop, and to do this, we are raising capital to expand the product line, as well as our business infrastructure. We've launched a crowdfunding campaign, and we need your help. Please take a look at the campaign, read my story, and make a contribution. Then, spread the word in support of this unlikely entrepreneur.

Here's the link to the crowdfunding campaign, which ends on April 10th. Help make it happen!

https://igg.me/at/ElegantInsights

For more information about Elegant Insights Braille Creations, go to the web site, http://elegantinsightsjewelry.com/ or call Laura at 509-264-2588. We bring out the beauty in Braille!

About Laura Legendary: Laura is the creative force and designer behind Elegant Insights Braille Creations. As an advocate for people with disabilities, Laura has presented disability awareness workshops and seminars to a wide variety of audiences, from government and corporate managers to community groups and health care providers. As a blogger, Laura has shared her expertise in accessibility and assistive technology for people with vision loss on her blog, Accessible Insights. Finally, Laura is the co-founder of The Fashionability Channel, an audio podcast created to enable people with disabilities to enjoy greater access to fashion and style information.

### Branco Broadcast Archives Presents! March 21, 2016

We are happy to provide the archive to the Branco Broadcast for this week via dial - in as well as through the Branco Broadcast Blind Tech Channel on Youtube.  Remember, there is a different dial in access code for each broadcast.  Want to listen to the archive, then:Method1: Visit The Blind Tech Youtube channel at the following direct link for this week's archive; don't forget to subscribe to be notified of future show archives:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFkncZE7SFU&feature=youtube_gdata

Method2: Dial- in AccessFor those of you that would like to dial in to listen to the conference archive, there are only two steps1.  Dial in to the number: 1-712-432-31312. When prompted for the access code, please enter: 131 71337563

For any questions, you may also subscribe at Facebook to the Branco Broadcast Archive group by going to the following link:https://m.facebook.com/groups/152438811804204?_rdr

Thanks for listening in and for being part of the broadcast.Bob Branco

### The Seeing Eye

#### Hiya buddies! Thank dog it’s Friday!A lot happened here in Labland this week.

I got to sit/stay with two smart ladies from the Canine Development and Genetics programs at The Seeing Eye®. Did you know 500 puppies are born there every year? I learned a lot talking to them. Read my interview with Dr. Emily

Also this week, we celebrated NATIONAL POETRY MONTH! Of course, around here, we call it Pawetry Month. Check out our #NationalPoetryMonth Facebook post to see some silly puppy Haiku and add your own! Here's one from Kristen about Zoe the Seeing Eye dog - thanks, Kristin!

My front paws are crossed my eyes are slowly closing dreams and snores abound. And remember, today is the last day to enter our name a puppy contest!

Name a Puppy Woof & happy Spring!Mickey

***FYI!!! ABC Radio Announcement!!!

### It’s a brand new show at ACB Radio Mainstream, our own affiliate GDUI, (Guide Dog Users Inc.) is bringing us a long awaited new show, The Juno Report, produced by Dan Kysor.

This will be a monthly show. I’m so proud of GDUI doing the work to bring us this new show and am sure they’ll have much more to tell us going (ahem, dare I say), forward.

So, right after Affiliates in Action, 11:00 P.M. EDT.http://acbradio.org/mainstream

605 475-8130.

Woof woof wag!

Happy listening!

Debbie Hazelton

### Book Reviews

Some of our Neighbours are book worms. Thanks to such worms we have a couple of great book reviews to share.

### Hi all! Sherry here with a great book suggestion!  

Spook: science tackles the afterlife DB62108

Roach, Mary. Reading time: 9 hours, 31 minutes.

Read by Catherine Byers. Religion Science and Technology

Author of Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers (RC 58302) examines historical and contemporary attempts to determine the existence of life after death. Roach avoids the philosophical debate, instead exploring primarily scientific endeavors to monitor out-of-body experiences, weigh souls, and communicate with the dead. 2005.  Anyone who has read any of Mary Roach’s other books, Stiff, Gulp or Packing for Mars to name a few, knows what to expect from this book.  This author definitely has a style.  She is funny, self-deprecating, and has a certain fascination with all things bathroom.  This book is pretty

interesting.  I wouldn’t want anyone to think it is a religious or anti-religious book – it isn’t.   She simply investigates many attempts to prove there is life after life.  She goes to India to travel with a man who investigates possible reincarnations.  There were some studies done to weigh people at the point of death to try & show that people lost weight as their soul left their body.   She delves into mediums & some tricks of that trade.  And of course she covers near death experiences.  There is an especially interesting section on something called infrasound which is low frequency sound that people can’t hear but can make you feel odd, give you goose bumps or make you feel like your hackles are up.  The author has a skeptic’s eye which is good for this book.   A couple examples of her great sense of humor are the following stories.   Someone was investigating whether people would notice a ghost.  They decided to do their test in a porn theater so as not to frighten any children.  They had their ghost walk across the screen during the movie.  The author adds that any moaning by the ghost was deemed to be redundant & thus not necessary.  In another anecdote she mentions that Elizabeth Taylor had a near death experience & said her deceased ex-husband Mike Todd pushed her back to life.  The author adds that it is unclear whether he did this for his benefit or hers. This was a fun read & I’ll probably read some more of this author’s work. Sherry Wells

*** This review comes from the Digital Book Review List and is provided with permission of list moderators.

To contact the list owners, write to: DB-Review-Owner@DB-Review.net

DB-Review is neither sponsored by nor endorsed by the Library of Congress or any of its divisions including the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped _______ DB-Review mailing list DB-Review@db-review.net http://db-review.net/mailman/listinfo/db-review_db-review.net

*** Patty back to say that when hunting book reviews this month I was blessed with the following thought provoking reviews from two readers who have just finished reading Campbell’s Rambles: How a Seeing Eye Dog Retrieved My Life.

Thanks Art, and Peter your words are appreciated. It is my hope that reviews such as these will assist me with the writing of my second book. I can tell you some of the questions raised below will be answered in more detail in The Raw Truth: Campbell’s Rambles Book Two thanks to such awesome reviews as these.

###

Hello Patti, I want you to know that I read your book; matter of fact read it twice.

Yes, Campbell is your best friend, and safety net, as our guide dogs are our best friend and safety net, and our source of independence. Drew is now world famous.

We wish you only the bestest in your life, and your next book.

Art and GDF Golden guide k9 JJ by the Gulf, west central Florida.

###

Hey, Patty:

I read your book last weekend, and have the following observations:

The book has many strong points: most notably, your description of your time at the Seeing Eye and your special relationship with your trainer there. Also, the harrowing experience when you had to get off that plane. Finally, the turmoil of bringing that trainer into your less-than-ideal life while trying to hide that it was, well, less-than-ideal.

But, I left the book disappointed, because it could have been so much better; my gripes:

1. Don't tell, show. Ideally, your story should do the talking and guiding; hand-holding, moralizing, and talking at listeners turns many people off.

2. Be hot; be cold; but don't be lukewarm.

You did a really good job describing how your bipolar disorder impacted your time learning to work with Campbell, while mentioning your fibromyalgia, (sp?) several times without incorporating it into the story. How did this particular disability impact matters?

Similarly, you alluded to the criminal doings of Donnie, mentioning at the end that he's in jail. Clearly, physical and mental abuse are critical parts of the story, some of the dynamics of which you described hauntingly and sensitively. But I think it would have been better if either you described Donnie's criminal activities, or left them out; doing what you did leaves unneeded unanswered questions. And your hinting at invading your trainer's private space creates the same problem; either go into it with more detail or leave it out.

3. I think your story could have been better told if you talked more about your life prior to going to the Seeing Eye at the beginning of your book, especially your relationship with Donnie. This would have better set up how your Seeing Eye trainer helped you realize that some of the men in your life could (and should) treat you better.

I mention these things because of your plans to write a follow-up book and because I hope that these comments will continue your journey to write better for a business audience.

Keep up the good work!

Best, Peter

### Tips, Tricks, and More…

### Recipe from Food Lady

This month’s question comes from Tasha Halpert

### Hi, Tasha here, I like angel food cake but find I don't make it Because I don't know what to do with all the left over yolks. Do you Have a recipe for their use?

*** Hi Tasha, Yes, all of those extra egg yolks can create some lovely custards or tasty ice cream. Here is a cake recipe, I found on the web that can use up extra egg yolks:

MARIAN'S DAFFODIL CAKE (CHIFFON)

Printed from COOKS.COM

12 egg yolks (left over from angel food cake)1 1/2 c. sugar1/2 c. boiling water1 and1/2 c. sifted cake flour2tsp. baking powder1/2 tsp. salt1 tsp. vanilla1 tsp. lemon flavor

Beat egg yolks until very thick and lemon colored. Add sugar in small amounts and keep beating. Add boiling water and beat 30 seconds, add sifted dry ingredients gradually, then add flavorings, beat all well (about 5 minutes).

Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 1 hour in an ungreased 10" or 12"Angel food pan. Cool upside down before removing. This is a great party cake, as you can serve it plain or with whipped cream, berries, or whatever.

http://www.cooks.com/rec/doc/prt/0,176,157174-236202,00.html 4/1/2016

Thank you,Food Lady

### Tips and a Word of trickery from King Campbell

A reader writes, “Hi Patty, and all there in The Campbell Kingdom! I was going through some drawers the other day, and came upon a small pile of mismatched socks. What can I do with all these otherwise good socks?”

Hi, Patty here, my answer is simple. I use mismatched socks to clean. They make perfect cleaning rags. I use them for every kind of cleaning. They’re wonderful for helping to get in to cracks, crooks, and crannies. They’re fabulous for picking up loose objects when cleaning counters, and for dusting they simply cannot be beat. Just slip your hand inside, and clean away! I store them in a mesh drawstring bag so they don’t mildew, and toss them in with my towels when they need laundered.

*** “Campbell here, why not just play tug with them?”

***!!! Patty back to say! “Because you could be hurt by them my sweet most awesome furry friend, and then POOF!

Just like that! No More Campbell!” “O! Yes! I forget that! I am a Labrador, and would probably simply eat them. I guess the

same could be said for all us dogs. Yall best just forget that about playing tug with the socks. Your trainers might be reading. I’d sure hate for Trainer Drew to catch me with a sock! WIGGA WOO!”

### 6. Products and Services

*** SPONSOR!!!***

Here’s Claire Plaisted to say a few words about her newsletter, and survey, Claire?

Hi Patty and all! I enjoy putting ‘The Neighborhood News’ together for Patty. I have been designing Newsletters for a few years now, having done two others for local community groups. Last year I tried to make newsletters for myself as an author on ‘MailChimp.’ I hated it, didn’t like the set up or templates so I one ever did one issue. After re-setting up Patty’s Neighborhood News I realised I still had the knowledge to create my own. It is with this breakthrough (Thanks Patty) That I have now produced a new Newsletter which people enjoy. Issue two is out next week. My next project is making it readable for those using screen reading technology. I will leave link for those you use this technology so they can sign up if they wish.

I also am conducting a survey. This is designed so I can learn what you – as an author or reader, are interested in reading about. It’s my hope the information I gather will increase readers of my blogs, and other materials produced by Plaisted Publishing House. The survey will also assist me in my work as a publisher.

Newsletter Links

Sign up for Screen Reading Technology Versionhttps://rotosis.wufoo.com/forms/screen-reading-technology-indie-publishing-news/

General Sign up Linkhttps://rotosis.wufoo.com/forms/the-indie-publishing-news/

This is the surveyhttps://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3GRPTCR

If you have items for the newsletter, please join my group on Facebook. Remember the more we share the better our work is marketed and the bigger our audience. You will also be helping others along the way, just like you do now with Patty’s newsletter, which have started to share on my social media. I will also be adding a link to Patty’s newsletter in my own. After all we are here to help each other.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/469927966546486/

Thanks, Claire Plaisted

### Calling all Coffee Lovers

Are you a coffee lover? Do you enjoy delicious food? If so, I have just what you are looking for! I am an Independent Kat’s Coffees Representative, and I carry a large variety of coffees, teas, dessert mixes, bread mixes, and so much more. All products are made to order. So, there is no wondering how long a product has been sitting on a shelf before you order. See all the high quality and delicious coffees and other edibles at www.katscoffees.com/ourproducts.html

I can be contacted at inahurrycoffee@gmail.com or 816-977-9434 with any questions or to place an order. All payments are made via PayPal and are sent to inahurrycoffee@gmail.com Please also give a like to my page on Facebook, Independent Kat’s Coffee Representative, Jordan Gallacher, to find out any news about products or any specials that are going on!

Thanks,Jordan Gallacher

### Butterfly Knitting

Looking for an awesome birthday or Christmas gift? Maybe you have a new baby coming? Here’s the lady to call. Becky and her sidekick Jake can hook you right up. Give her a shout-out today! Becky Frankeberger

Butterfly KnittingPonchos

AfghansShawlsCustom Knitting

360-426-8389becky@butterflyknitting.com

An added comment from Leonore Dvorkin: For those readers who cannot see Becky’s website and her products, I can assure you that they are flat-out gorgeous and they appear to be of the highest quality. She is very talented indeed!

### Hi, are you a music collector? Do you still have a place in your heart for cassettes? I have several cassette holders filled with cassettes of all sorts of awesome music. Classic Rock, and more from Decades going back to the 70’s and before. If you’re interested in doing some negotiation, give me a shout. Shoot an email to patty.volunteer1@gmail.com and put Flash Back Cassettes in the subject line and I’ll write you back with more information.

### Did you miss the sixties? The clothing and the macramé belts, with those decorated belt buckles? I am Offering handcrafted macramé belts, and can order a belt buckle of your choice, and I may also be able to add various beading on the macramé as well for additional cost. If this interests you please contact me at karenb7410@gmail.com

### The Devil's Lieutenant

By Suzi Albracht

In The Devil’s Lieutenant, our hero reluctantly enters a dangerous, unholy world where nothing and nobody can be trusted while attempting to solve a series of gruesome murders. As he investigates, his core beliefs are challenged and still the murderer eludes him.

At the same time, one by one, his loved ones are threatened and struck down. Then his unborn child becomes a target of the Devil’s Enforcer. He has a faithful ally by his side, but will they be able to save their wives, their children, the world? Someone’s wife and child will suffer a horrendous end. Will it be our hero’s, bringing him to his knees? The battle to save humanity has begun, and our hero has no choice except to wage war against the Devil himself and his henchmen.

Come with me and I will tell you the tale of The Devil’s Lieutenant. http://www.amazon.com/Devils-Lieutenant-Due-Collection-Book-ebook/dp/B00TGA84YE/

Video trailer: https://youtu.be/IPGepsZrm70

*** Well, I have decided I’m gonna have to get this book. I see it is on Amazon which means Kindle readers will be able to read it. This means even if you don’t have a Kindle or smart phone and App, you can still read it. How? Go to Amazon and click the Accessible Kindle for PC Plug link and download it right to your computer. Cool huh? Now anyone can read EBooks. TTS Enabled.

### Welcome first time advertiser!

Want to make new friends?  Want to participate in fun and challenging games? Then join Games Galore and More. 

GGM is a Voice Chat site where people talk to each other in real time. This site and its rooms are for everyone who is interested in interacting with a variety of people in a friendly environment. We offer activities and events of interest to the blind community. Everyone is welcome.  You can join our site at no cost. All you need is a headset to fully participate.  Once you have signed up and received your username and password, you can chat with people from around the world and participate in games, seminars, and presentations on a variety of topics. To register with Games Galore and More, go to: www.gamesgaloreandmore.com 

 Enter on the Join our Site link, and follow the prompts.    If you have any issues or questions, please feel free to write James Gagnier or Shelley Gagnier at:  james@jgagnier.com Or shelley@jgagnier.com

*** Patty here to say that I was on a show with the fine folks at Games and Galore, and they were awesome hosts. If you missed that event, contact the site owners James and Shelly to see if it was archived. Their games are lots of fun, challenging, and at times rather educational.

***!!! CONGRATULATIONS! PROOF READING CHALLENGE WINNER!!!

###

The lovely young lady featured to the left, won my Facebook Proof Reading Challenge! This won her a free advert. Watch for more proof reading challenges in the future. She was spot on, even catching one mistake I did not. Pay special attention to this one, she’s gonna go far!

### The Orchid Keeper, a short novel, by Jennifer Deese has been called inspirational fantasy. Born and raised in the Northeast United States. Miss Deese developed a deep love for books at a very young age. As she grew older, she knew her place in the world was in writing.  After beating her own addictions years ago, she began to take steps to make that dream come true.The Orchid Keeper takes us along on a fantastical, yet difficult journey, of an addict and alcoholic named Cora. In a fast downwards spiral and drowning in denial and projection Cora gets an amazing, and wondrous opportunity to change the path she is on. With the aid of Sol, an orchid keeper of Osipia, will she be able to defeat her demons?

Miss Deese is currently working on another book in The Osipian Chronicles, called The Fading Light. In this second book, we will once again see the effects of addiction; this time on a race of beings from another world. You can follow her progress on any of the sites listed below.

Jennifer has also had a horror short story published in an anthology, The December Awethology: Dark Volume. Her story, Jingle Jars, is featured on the cover. In this story Karma takes its toll on a fellow for whom payback is way overdue. A demon is the hero of this story, and when you read it, you will surely understand why.

Deese is always open to interaction with her readers, so feel free to follow her or contact her, via the site's below, with questions about her writing, her characters, and the world she has created.  

https://m.facebook.com/JennTerra/http://www.amazon.com/Jennifer-Deese/e/B00N2URD14 Twitter d_eesehttp://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22954507-the-orchid-keeper

### A Few Moments in Time, by Howard A. Geltman

C 2011 / 231 pages / in e-book and print on Amazon and other online sites

To read a sample and/or to order, go to: http://www.dvorkin.com/howardgeltman/

Summary:

A Few Moments in Time is a wistful, emotion-filled memoir of a boyhood and adolescence spent at a Connecticut school for the blind in the 1960s and early ‘70s. The author provides us with a detailed picture of his youthful past, complete with pains and pranks, and then a snapshot of his impressive achievements in adulthood. Honest, funny,

informative, and often deeply moving, this is a tale of the triumph of determination over disability. The striking cover photo was taken by a blind student, Matt Langer.

Review quotes: “Howard Geltman allows the reader deep into his soul. He shows us that no matter how difficult the road may be, there is always hope.” “Howard captures a piece of precious time and has told it so well that I felt I was there.” “This special memoir glows with warmth, affection, and compassion.” For another excellent book about life at a school for the blind, see My Home Away from Home, by Robert Branco. Details: http://www.dvorkin.com/robertbranco/

### The Sayzeh Song, by Chaim B. Segal(Book One of five planned volumes.)

###Here, the author traces his life from preschool to 7th grade. The

narrative is dominated by the Jewish religion; music performed and listened to, schooling and hard life lessons, and often difficult family dynamics.

Mr. Segal proves himself an astute and very feeling observer: of the family’s progression from more moderate Judaism to Orthodoxy, of how his father’s frustration was probably linked to the sometimes severe corporal punishment he meted out, of how one moment’s carelessness can end with a beloved pet’s death, and much more.

Growing up in Ohio, the blind author had painful and confusing introductions to religious prejudice, poor race relations, and drug problems. The Holocaust haunted his dreams. Yet he managed to find joy in choral singing, piano lessons, recorded music, the family’s pets, and good meals and good times with family members and friends.

What is missing from the story is any shred of self-pity. The author’s obvious resilience and his capacity for forgiveness are models for us all.

Through his writing of The Sayzeh Song, Chaim Segal hopes to promote increased understanding concerning cultural diversity.

More details and text preview: http://www.dvorkin.com/chaimsegal/

## Red Eyes

A novel by Gary H. Hensley, C 2015In e-book and print on Amazon and other online buying sites.

Set primarily in Tennessee and Virginia from 1924 to 1976, this is the adventure-filled life story of Jim Taylor: lawman, lover, family man, churchgoer—and murderer.

After Jim’s sister Annie is raped and murdered at the age of 13, he becomes obsessed with finding her killer and meting out “payback.” The story of that pursuit, Jim’s revenge, and the stunning surprise ending of the book make up the central story.

Details, cover photo, sample text, and buying links: www.dvorkin.com/garyhensley/

### This month I thought I would post the letter from the editor of the Blind Post:

Happy spring! I love this season. It is the perfect weather for walking, that is if you don’t have allergies to everything that is blooming. Even my guide dog has seasonal allergies, but we still love to get out there and walk.

I am so happy and very excited. I am going to see my son tonight. Hurray! I have not put my arms around him since Thanksgiving 2008. His wonderful wife and Joshua are flying into Boise tonight. We’re going to have loads of fun, good food, nice walks, and a great time together.

I hope that wherever you live that the spring has sprung with some good weather. No more snow. Just those April showers that bring all of those fragrant and beautiful flowers.

This month’s news has an abundance of notices, and excellent articles.I want to thank my sponsor Kate, and the others that placed paying notices. They are just before this section, and also on the home page of the website.

I want to thank Joshua for his extremely generous tribute. It is such a blessing to have your child’s praise and gratitude for their growing up years. We had our struggles like most single parent households do, but we made it through and are doing well today. Thank you very much Joshua. I love you!

Liz has written an informative tech article on Protecting your Apple ID by Enabling Two-factor Authentication. Food Lady only received one question this month in her newest column Dear Food Lady. Food lady shares all about cooking beans. Captain ADA and his canine partner are back with the conclusion to last month’s story. Donna Williams is Communing with Nature. Phyllis Campbell continues her subject from last month’s article, knitting with bulky yarns, with three simple patterns. Donna J. Jodhan shares another page from her travel diary entitled Traveling Alone. Funnyside has some great one liners and a very short story. In Blind people talking, Mrs. Sylvia Sugar Lopez shares her unfinished story.

We have loads of notices too. Please tell folks that you read about their notice or story on the Blind Post news.

Lori AKA Food LadyPublisher and editorfoodlady@theblindpost.comwww.theblindpost.com

### Posting to the Blind Post News.

You can now place two notices, per month, that are 50 words or less each, at no cost, or one that is 100 words or less. Announcements that are over 100 to 200 words are $5, and 200 to 300 are $10, and so on. All paying submissions will appear in the Sponsorship section, which is just before my From the Editor article. The paid notices will also post on the home page of the website.

Email me at foodlady@theblindpost.comAnd I will let you know that I have received your submissions.For payments and donations, you can use foodlady@theblindpost.com with PayPal payments, or send a check to Lori Motis at 446 Monarch St, Eagle, ID 83616.

Please send your submissions to me by the fourth of the month to appear in that month’s news. I hope to have the news sent around the seventh of each month.

### What can be published in the Blind Post News:

If you are blind or visually impaired, you can submit all types of notices from new or used items, services or training, business or job listings, items you are looking for, for trade or to give away, and announcements that you think other readers would be interested in. Notices and announcements pertaining to the blind and low vision community, from all individuals, schools,And organizations are also welcome.

If you have any questions about your submission, Email me and I will let you know if it is suitable for The Blind Post News.

The editor reserves the right to decide if an announcement or notice, of any kind, is suitable for The Blind Post. The Blind post does not publish or postAny personals or pen pal notices. All submissions posted are not necessarily the beliefs or opinions of the editor or The Blind Post News. Make sure your contact informationIs correct for each post you submit.

Email all notices to foodlady@theblindpost.com

*** Patty here! I seriously encourage yall to sign up for this one! I read it every month.

### Books by Abbie Johnson Taylor

For detailed descriptions, excerpts, and ordering information, visit http://www.abbiejohnsontaylor.com

We Shall Overcome. Lisa, visually impaired, is afraid of policemen because of an incident that happened to her brother years earlier. When she meets John, a bicycle patrol officer, she must re-evaluate her apprehension.

How to Build a Better Mousetrap: Recollections and Reflections of a Family Caregiver. The poems in this collection were mostly inspired by the author’s experiences while caring for her late husband, totally blind and partially paralyzed by two strokes.

That’s Life: New and Selected Poems. In this book, the author gives advice to teenagers, shares more memories of her younger years, and touches on other life-changing events, including her wedding and her late husband’s death.

All three books are available on Bookshare, and you can download a recording of ‘That’s Life,’ in mp3 format from the author’s site.

### For those of you who have been waiting and waiting, it's finally here! Meagan Green's

First album is out! Many people who have listened to it already have really enjoyed it, so check out the samples at; http://www.musicspring.net

The album is called, The Flow of Your Blood.

Eight of the songs are originals by Meagan herself, including the title cut which is a favorite of most who have heard the album. There is one well known hymn with a great arrangement by Chris Belle of Affordable

Studio Services, Meagan's producer.The other song is written by her dear friend Stephie Belle, Chris's wife and co-owner of the

studio. You can either get a CD in the mail or download it on the computer. The cost for a download of the entire album is $13. If you'd like to download by the song, they are $1.50 each. You will be taken to paypal through my shopping cart.

Or you can enter the following email address;

mgreen@wvi.com For a CD hard copy the cost is $15 which includes shipping.Send check or money order to:Meagan Green1410 Westfall PlaceStayton, Oregon 97383Enjoy!MeaganGreen

*** Hi, I just want to let you know, Meagan along with several others from The Neighborhood have graciously donated to The Seeing Eye Online Auction. I’d like to personally thank all of you, and encourage anyone who has a product, or service, or maybe a bit of extra money to pick up a gift card from someplace to do so before the deadline. No matter where your guides are from, you know this is a worthwhile cause. http://TheSeeingEye.org

### Excerpt from a book by Brian K. Nash

Talking with Kids: Everything You’ve Always Wanted to Know about Blindness (C 2011)

In e-book and print from Amazon, Smashwords, and other online sellers. Full details and buying links: http://www.dvorkin.com/brianknash/ (the 5th book listed)

I have come to the conclusion that most sighted people consider the loss of vision to be so appalling that they simply can’t imagine life without it. They imagine that if they were blind, the smallest and simplest of tasks would become absolutely insurmountable. If you have any reservations about this statement, check out your own level of proficiency next time the power goes out at night and you are without a flashlight or candles.

With this in mind, once I had reached adulthood, I set out on a high-minded crusade. I wanted to do my very best to change people’s thinking, to give them a glimpse into the world of blindness through demonstrations of equipment we used to perform certain tasks and by delivering positive lectures.

In the early 1980s, I let the leaders of a number of civic groups in the area know that I was ready and willing to talk candidly about blindness. Over the next few months, I suffered through several rather awkward meetings at these local clubs, but eventually I put together a pretty good informative speech and demonstration. My guide dog, Arrow, always came with me, and soon we were booked by numerous schools and other civic groups in the area.

I really enjoy working with kids. They have vivid imaginations, and unlike most adults, they aren’t encumbered by the constraints of proper etiquette or logic. Their questions reflect their love of life and their inborn tenacity, their burning desire to carry on no matter what the circumstances.

*** Patty and Campbell back to encourage all who work with children to take a good look at Brian’s work. I have his children’s books for my grand nieces, and they are very good.

### The Blind Perspective

For a fun-filled, informative online magazine, check out The Blind Perspective: http://www.theblindperspective.com

### Unity Church of the Tri-Cities

423 W. Walnut St., Johnson City, TN423-975-9159 /www.unitytricities.org

Sunday service at 11:00 a.m.

All are welcome at Unity Church of the Tri-Cities, where you will find an atmosphere of love, acceptance, and empowerment.is a Christ-based teaching that emphasizes spirituality over religion as we embrace our own spiritual growth and development. We strive to apply Universal Truth Principles to improve our own life experience as well as to bless our planet and all humankind through selfless service.

### Awethology.

Four books of Short Stories written by a group of authors from a Facebook Group called The #Awethors. There are over 50 short stories for you to enjoy and the best part is the eBooks are FREE worldwide.

Title: December Awethology - Dark Volume:http://www.amazon.com/DecemberAwethology-Dark-Awethors-ebook/dp/B018XWC5Z4/

Title: December Awethology – Light Volume: http://www.amazon.com/DecemberAwethology-Light-Awethors-ebook/dp/B018XWC4WS/

### ***EBook Version Free On http://www.Smashwords.com

Campbell's Rambles: How a Seeing Eye Dog Retrieved My Life Nonfiction by Patty L. Fletcher. Now For Sale!

The book is now for sale in print and e-book format from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Apple bookstore, Smashwords, and other online sellers.For details, please see: www.dvorkin.com/pattyfletcher/ About the Book

This is the story of how the author obtained her first guide dog from The Seeing Eye™ in Morristown, New Jersey: what motivated her, the extensive training she had, the special relationship she developed with her trainer, and the good friends she made. Once she returned home to Tennessee, there were many new challenges to be met and overcome, including domestic abuse. All that was in addition to her chronic conditions of bipolar disorder and fibromyalgia.

With honesty, courage, and humour, Patty Fletcher tells a remarkable story of personal development that is sure to inform, entertain, and inspire others, both blind and sighted. THE SEEING EYE and SEEING EYE are registered trademarks of The Seeing Eye, Inc. See: www.SeeingEye.org

The book was edited by Leonore H. Dvorkin: www.leonoredvorkin.com Cover design by David Dvorkin: www.dvorkin.com

About the Author

Patty L. Fletcher lives in Kingsport, Tenn., where she worked for 9 years as Volunteer Coordinator at CONTACT–CONCERN of Northeast Tennessee, Inc, and is now writing full time. For many more details about her and her family, and to see some additional photos of Patty, her former co–workers, and friends and Campbell, go to: www.dvorkin.com/pattyfletcher/

*** Patty and Campbell with Bob Cat too back

To say thanks to all our advertisers, and sponsors for your ads this month. We’re very grateful to you for your business and encourage you to let us know if the ads are helping you. And now, a word from our good friend Dave Light from AM Tricities. Take it away Dave...

### Hey, Beautiful Patty and Handsome Campbell,

Per your request:

The show is “AM Tri-Cities” (the show has been around for over 60 years—long storyJ) and is on the Holston Valley Broadcasting WKPT/ESPN family of stations. It can be heard at AM 1400, 1490 and 1590 and on FM 94.3, 97.7 and 97.9. Yes, those are six transmitters covering East Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, a bit of eastern Kentucky, and Western North Carolina, and it’s also streamed live on the internet at http://espntricities.com . I prefer to be contacted—initially, at least—by email at dave@wkptradio.com . Non-profits, entertainment, regional heritage, things to do, and topics of general interest that enhance the quality of life in our region are our usual fare. 

Many thanks for all you do. Give yourself a pat on the back and Campbell a hug for me.Dave Light

###7. Newsletter Submission Information Attention All Readers of - The Neighborhood News! From now until further notice you can purchase one year’s advertising for a onetime fee of $20.00 for 200 word limit or $25.00 with a photo.

To place your Advert, please send your information including contact info such as email address, phone or website. (One link per Ad)

Font & Size: - Times New Roman, size 12To: patty.volunteer1@gmail.com and make your payment to me at PayPal.com using the

same email address.We will still offer adverts for $5 per month if you just want a onetime ad. We look forward to doing business with you in the near future. Another change in The Advertising is that we will no longer charge for Literary Submissions. If your submission is going to need editing you may contact either Claire Plaisted, or Leonore

Dvorkin for editing services.Your submissions must be edited before submitting.

Treat of the Month submissions are free of charge. Treat of the Month submissions can include Musings, Making It Happen, and similar things, such as the submission this month.

Just keep it to a maximum of 500 words. However, links may not include advertisements for your own products or services. Those are

paid or trade out ads only.Also, we are now offering sponsored advertising such as the write-up provided by Editor

Claire Plaisted and Dave Light, host of AM Tricities, To become a sponsor, you can either agree to advertise The Campbell’s Corner

Neighbourhood News on your show, blog, or other publication, or you can send a payment of $10 via PayPal to me at patty.volunteer1@gmail.com

Sponsored adverts run at the beginning and end of Products and Services. Please note: Due to many helpful comments both public and private, the layout of what is now

an ezine has changed. This ezine can be received via email subscription and also seen on Facebook. Previous issues can be seen on our blog at https://campbellsworld.wordpress.com/

The publication has also lengthened a bit to include certain things that were requested. It is always under construction, and we encourage you to send feedback at any time.

- Patty Fletcher

### 8. Subscription Information

To receive The Neighborhood News, simply email me to subscribe. Please send your first and last names and your email address with your request to patty.volunteer1@gmail.com

To unsubscribe at any time, please email me with your first and last names, the word unsubscribe, and the email address you’re subscribed with. We will remove you from our mailing list without one hard feeling.

###SPECIAL SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION!

### Call to readers!

I’m making a 2016 Reader Directory. One for my business use and one which would be shared with any reader wishing to reach out and network with others.

Please write back with the following information. # indicates Optional * Indicates required to continue Receiving. All Optional info will be shared if reader gives permission. First and last name Subscription Email Advertiser (Yes No) # Secondary Email (Share or Private) # Social Media (Share or Private)

# Phone (Share or Private)

Please submit all required information to continue receiving The Neighbourhood News.Thanks so much and have a great day. I’ll let you know when the directory becomes

available.

If you’d like to have an advert in the directory such as are posted in Products and Services please send $5.00 to PayPal at Patty.volunteer1@gmail.com

Follow Newsletter Guidelines when submitting Directory Advert

### 9. Author’s Corner and the Twilight Bark

### Author’s Corner

First off I’d like to thank all our book reviewers this month.

Anyone who would like to send in a book review may do so by emailing me at the address given in the Administrative Details. When submitting a review please make sure to recognize where the review was posted, and where the book information comes from. If from an email list, please obtain the Moderators permission before sharing.

Next up! Yet another new and I might add quite awesome contribution. As it turns out, one of our very own subscribers is an author as well. Below are some of his writings. Enjoy, and make sure to check out his work.

### How (Not) to Train Your Husband

By Mark CarlsonAugust 30, 2015

My wife calls me a ‘work in progress.’ While I have a sense of humor, that term is just a bit demeaning. It’s as though she were a master artist with a painting that just doesn’t seem to want to cooperate. But all great works of art have to go through some changes and revision before they make it to the Louvre or end up on a t-shirt. I understand that Leonardo da Vinci’s original Mona Lisa’s smile showed the gap between her front teeth. And Michelangelo apparently showed Adam with sunglasses in the first rendering on the Sistine Chapel. But the Pope didn’t go for it.

Back in 1995 when my wife said “I do,” she only had a hazy inkling of what she was taking on. But like a dedicated sculptor working with a block of marble, my wife has been trying, with little apparent success, to make me perfect. She seemed to see me as a ‘David’ with Dockers and Izod shirts.

She has managed to smooth out some of my rough edges. After more than two decades of training I can now hang up the bath towels and even make the bed. For most of my pre-married life I didn’t even know that towel racks existed. That's what the floor was for; right next to all my dirty clothes. When I was a carefree bachelor, I was the same kind of guy who thought that flushing a toilet counted as cleaning it.

I consider myself an enlightened husband of the 21st Century. By that I mean I don’t take my role as the supposed ‘head of the household’ too seriously. I actually help my wife around the house. In addition to the usual chores of taking out the garbage and fixing whatever needs repairing, I often do the housework and cleaning.

Now, before you male readers start foaming at the mouth hear me out. My wife does an awful lot that has traditionally fallen under the aegis of the husband. She does the driving, shopping, cooking, laundry, some of the cleaning and all the bills. This is because I am blind, so some of these jobs are a bit beyond me. When she brings home the groceries, I put them away. When she cooks dinner I do the dishes.

That’s a fair and equitable division of labor. I am the sole breadwinner of the house, but she’s a genius with handling money.

All that being said, I have to admit we have come to a mutually agreeable arrangement. But there is one major pothole in the road to domestic paradise.

What is it with women and laundry? They hate doing it but won’t let anyone else near it. I don’t understand that kind of logic. It’s like someone who hates kids and driving becoming a school bus driver.

I have offered many times to help her with it. “Honey, I can take care of that for you,” I say with eager sincerity. But it’s no use. She merely pats me on the head and tells me to go and play with my tools or fix something.

So I gave the matter a lot of thought. She must think there is a laundry event horizon a sort of black hole where all the clothes I touch will either be lost or damage beyond repair. After a few beers and some serious digging into my memory I began to recall some things from my misspent youth. I wasn’t blind back then but that would have probably been a blessing.

When I was a bachelor, back in the halcyon days of yore, I did my own laundry.Mom lived more than 500 miles away and shipping was too expensive. I had the usual

collection of men’s clothes like jeans, t-shirts, underwear, socks, and a few nice clothes. I had a few old things, you know, the flannel plaid shirt that you’ve had since college that just feels good and has some sentimental value but that no self-respecting girlfriend would ever allow you to be seen in. Women just don’t seem to understand things like that.

Every two weeks or so, depending on how often I wore the same underpants and socks, I would end up with a pile of dirty clothes encroaching on the kitchen floor. That meant the bedroom; bathroom, living room and hallway floor were full. I could no longer ignore it. At that point all I usually had left to wear was a ratty old ‘McGovern ‘1972’ shirt and a pair of hand-knitted violet socks.

I had an unmarried friend who advised me to just throw away my clothes as they got dirty and when the closet and dresser were empty, go and buy a new set of clothes. He said he saved lots of money on detergent and fabric softener. He even started a second-hand pin business from the ones he pulled out of all his new shirts. I have to admit he always looked great but for some reason he never married.

So when the dirty laundry reached a point where it was eligible for its own zip code, I would go find an abandoned shopping cart in the alley. Then I loaded the laundry into the cart and hauled it down to the apartment building laundry room. There were never any women in there, Just guys, all wearing shorts and t-shirts.

The room smelled of lint, bleach and detergent. The reek of cheap beer hung in the air over the piles of dirty clothes.

A few guys huddled together as they contemplated the bewildering controls on the washers.“What does this one do again?”“I think that’s the water level indicator.”“Oh. Will more water cost more money?”“No. Just put it on ‘High’ and go for it.”“Cool. Then what?”“Put in the clothes and detergent. Close the lid and leave. In an hour, your clothes will be

clean.”“Cool. Mom’s always bitching that it’s a lot of work. What’s the big deal? Burp.”“Beats me. Burp. ”Notice that there was no mention of separating the colors from the whites or using cold water

on delicates. We were totally clueless.I put the entire mass, colors, delicates, whites an all, into one washing machine. I had to stand

on them to get them to go in. One time I ran the washer and when I came back the clothes were totally dry. I’ve never figured that one out.

Then I dumped a half a box of detergent into it. If I didn’t have any Tide I used dishwashing liquid. Once I even used a cheese grater to grate a cake of Ivory Soap over the washer. It worked, but it rained all the next week and I left foamy bubbles in my wake. That may sound insane to you but in my defense, I never tried to use shampoo. That would just be stupid.After putting in the quarters it was time to turn it on. With the same casual aplomb shown by a ten-year old who suddenly finds himself unsupervised in the control center of a nuclear power plant, I pushed buttons and turned knobs at random.

I figured that just like an infinite number of monkeys could one day write the complete works of Shakespeare, I would someday have a perfectly washed set of clothes.

The results were usually disappointing and I often thought about hiring the monkeys.

When the washer was done, I pulled the sodden mass out and shoved them into the dryer, using the same careful system of not separating the colors from the rest and turned it on. I was in my thirties before I heard about fabric softener sheets, so when I opened the door and grabbed a sleeve or cuff, the entire mass came out as one giant static-charged snarl.

I spent the next hour pulling them apart like untangling Christmas tree lights. You’d never believe how sleeves and socks can tie themselves into complex knots.

My hair stood on end for hours.

Well that was in the past. Somehow I managed to survive bachelorhood and even convinced (some say tricked) a wonderful girl to marry me. She had the idea that I was trainable and not a totally lost cause. I can’t help but wonder how often she has regretted that rash assessment.

As the years passed I learned how to handle simple tasks like putting the toilet paper on the roll with the loose end on the outside, and to run the water when using the sink disposal. But for some reason, even with my mastery of such feats, she still refused to let me do the laundry.

Part of the problem was the loss of my eyesight. I had to find new ways to do things and organize myself. I did pretty well, but there were a few tasks that required assistance from a sighted person. If I was making dinner and was going to spray non-stick coating into the pan, I had to be sure I wasn’t spraying extra hold hair spray instead. Those are just the kind of things that can happen when you’re a blind guy.

But the death knell of my aspirations to help her with the laundry was sounded the day after the famous ‘Red Blouse Incident.’ This is still legend among our friends and family.

She was out of town for a week and had made sure every single article of clothing in the whole house was clean and folded. She felt safe in leaving, knowing that I’d have plenty to wear. But she hadn’t reckoned on me having a party with my buddies. A party with beer, wine and lots of messy food. Nachos, guacamole, frijoles, salsa and other things that guys love but should not be allowed to handle unsupervised.

Suffice to say I had to change my clothes twice in one day. Then I went to a ball game and spilled cheap beer on myself during a grand slam home run. I went through the clothes amazingly fast. So, to be helpful and to prove to her that I could handle it, I did my own laundry. If the reader is suddenly feeling a cold chill running up their spine, run with it.

I put the white underwear and socks into the washer with five cups of bleach. Yes I now know it was too much, but what harm could too much bleach do to whites? None. But the new red silk blouse my wife had just bought was another matter.

Unbeknownst to me, she had left it behind for altering on top of the washer. So when I began piling things in, the blouse, which had a Neiman-Marcus label on it, went in to its doom.

I think I recall a tiny voice that sounded like Gloria Vanderbilt shrieking in fear as I poured in the bleach, but I ignored it.

It's not hard to guess what happened. It was like one of those old 1950s Disney movies where the family pet (cat, dog, seal, kangaroo, wombat, platypus) gets into total mayhem while catching the crooks. Well I didn’t catch any crooks but boy did I cause mayhem.

The shrieking that my wife gave me when she came home and found the blouse considerably less red than it had been before she left sounded like a cross between Circe calling Ulysses to his doom and a female T-Rex having a conniption fit. But I would rather have faced the T-Rex.

The blouse was ruined.To make matters worse, all the whites were now a nice shade of pink. You know what she

did? Instead of patting me on the head and saying ‘It’s okay Honey I know you didn’t mean it. Let’s go and buy some new underwear for you,’ she made me wear pink underpants, socks and undershirts for a month.

For you women readers, please stop agreeing with her. That was one embarrassing month. The weird part is that all my female co-workers seemed a lot nicer to me and even wanted to go shopping with me.

So I suppose in my case she’s justified in putting barbed wire around the washer and dryer, but the Braille signs warning of ‘Absolutely No Unauthorized Husbands Beyond This Point’ are a bit much.

One nice thing that has come out of this matter is that as a ‘work in progress,’ I have lots of wiggle room. I can screw something up and simply say “Well, at least I’m learning, dear.” I always say this with an engaging smile. Not a bad deal. I figure I’ve got at least ten years before I have to be perfect. Michelangelo took years to do the Sistine Chapel; I’m just taking a bit longer

But I can pretty much guarantee the final result will be well worth the wait.

Mark Carlson, CL, ACS'sapientia melior auro'Aviation Historian and WriterAuthor, 'Flying on Film - A Century of Aviation in the Movies 1912-2012'Award-winning author of 'Confessions of a Guide Dog'Office: 858-592-2677Mobile: 858-472-5419

Website: www.musketmania.com

*** Patty and Campbell here! Who knew we had so very many talented professionals in our Neighborhood! If anyone else has writings they’d like to contribute, by all means send them in! We want to hear from you! Thanks Mark that is a hysterically funny story! Even Bob Cat is laughing.  

Please? Hit us up with stories like this any time.

### 10. Wrap Up From your Editor

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Thanks X

*** Patty back to say thanks Claire. I couldn’t do this without you. I love putting this newsletter together, love that it is growing and is never the same two months in a row.

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I am grateful for you the readers, and for all who contribute.

Until next time, this is Patty Campbell and Bob Cat too saying, May Harmony Find You! And, Blessid Be!

Patty L. Fletcher Author, Motivational Speaker, and Nonprofit Consultant Book: Campbell’s Rambles: How a Seeing Eye Dog Retrieved My Life (C 2014), in e-book and print on Amazon and other online selling sites / The e-book is text-to-speech enabled.Website: www.dvorkin.com/pattyfletcher/