Sweetheart's Special at the Cottage

With so many of my friends experiencing harsh winters right now, might I suggest you come spend a week along the Southern Oregon Coast? I shared the post below from one of our visits here in 2012 on Facebook today. My friend Annie saw the post and wanted me to share this lovely message with you. Just tell her you're a friend of mine. You, Dear Readers, are friends. :-) Enjoy the photos and links below and contact Annie if you like what you see.


"Thank you, Joyce! February special for any of your friends who read this. $500 (instead of $800) for a WEEK in February. (sorry, Valentine weekend is taken)" Annie of Annie's Cottage.

Special note to Deaf and Hard of Hearing Travelers: Annie is fluent in ASL. You will be able to communicate beautifully with her.

This weekend, Annie's Cottage on the Southern Oregon Coast was mentioned in  business section of the local newspaper as one of the Best of the South Coast choices for vacation rentals. Enjoy the lovely video created by one of their previous guests, along with a few of our own photos we took around the cottage and along the coast.

~~~~~

We spent a lovely couple of weeks along the Southern Oregon Coast this summer. Our stay in the Coos Bay area could not have been more enjoyable! Annie's Cottage is the loveliest place I've ever stayed, and I've stayed in many places in my years of traveling. I do not say this lightly.

  Check out this video created by a previous guest of Annie's Cottage. There are more photos below the video.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLvOv6tOzKU
Annie's Cottage is pet friendly AND people friendly. If you're looking for a vacation where you can visit the Redwood Forest and the Trees of Mystery, go windsurfing at Floras Lake, whale watching along the Pacific, visiting the Oregon Coast Aquarium and the Sea Lion Caves and be able to have a cozy place to come "home" to at the end of the day, Annie's Cottage is the place to be. There is so much to do and see within a scenic drive from the cottage.

This was one of my favorite places to sit in the garden.

This is the loveliest view I've ever seen from a kitchen sink

http://anniescottage.org/id5.html
The upstairs had its own huge bathroom, complete with a six foot Jacuzzi. What a wonderful way to relax after romping on the beach. There is a writing nook off to the side of the sleeping area, and across the room, a lovely nook with a view of the bay, and beyond that, the sea. It was our Bear's favorite place in the house. There was a telescope for watching the birds at play in the yard or flying over the bay, or for watching the stars in the night sky.

Downstairs, there are bunk beds off the main living area and a family table nearby for games or coloring or whatever other projects one may take up. There were games up in a closet in the kitchen, along with a soccer ball that my son and grandson took out into the big back yard and kicked around.

When you enter the cottage, the kitchen is to the left, and the dining area is to the right. The kitchen cupboards had pretty much all of the basic culinary supplies we needed.  There was tea and coffee on the counter waiting to be brewed waiting for us when we arrived early that first morning, some packets of oatmeal and even popcorn for the movies, and basic spices.

Shopping for groceries was easy with everything  within minutes. If you are there on Tuesdays, be sure to catch the Farmer's Market downtown Coos Bay for the freshest veggies at the best prices. There were organic veggies and frozen free range naturally raised poultry available. Artist peddled their wares and an added bonus were the street musicians performing. Now, I've digressed from the kitchen to the market. Let's get back to Annie's Cottage...

In the living area, there was a nice assortment of DVD movies, cable, free WIFI, local travel books and a few books of classic plays. Paul is a thespian and has been involved with the local theater group for many years. I think I read somewhere that Paul and Annie often read from the books with each other. How sweet is that? The coffee table was interesting, it can raise up to the height you prefer. We discovered this near the end of our visit. Of course, the coffee table was barely visible under our laptops, camera equipment and cell phones. It looked more like an office while we were there, but it felt like "home". We watched the opening ceremonies of the Olympics while uploading our photos from our cameras and journaling/blogging about the day's festivities. It so happened that was the day we ventured to the county fair with our hosts, Annie and Paul. Here's a post about that  County Fair

Annie and Brody loved those caramel apples at the fair!

Annie's photo won an award at the fair! http://www.blipfoto.com/entry/2174100


Be sure to stop by Annie's blipfoto page: http://www.blipfoto.com/anniescottage
She has many lovely photos and thoughts to share.

http://anniescottage.org/id5.html

What to do while staying at Annie's Cottage? Here's a few places we went and things we did:

We spent a lot of time at Beautiful Bandon By the Sea

We spent time in the Forests along the bluffs near Shore Acres and also the Redwood Forest

Sunset Bay was just a few miles up the road. Fabulous Husband wrote love notes in the sand. Bear simply wrote, "I rock". Check out his rockin' attitude.

We spent an evening in Newport, home of the Oregon Coast Aquarium, The Undersea Gardens, Ripley's Believe It Or Not and of course, world famous Mo's Seafood Restaurant where we enjoyed a lovely dinner with a view of the bay. Here is a huge sea lion that was lounging on the dock below us.

Fabulous Husband commented many times throughout our stay about how friendly everyone is along the coast. Our eight year old son did not want to leave. He enjoyed Annie's Cottage, the wonderful big back yard, the beaches and the marvelous mild weather that allows us to get out and do things without getting too hot or too cold.

But...mostly, it is the people, even the strangers are so courteous, friendly, open and warm that make us feel welcomed.

I enjoyed feeling the fog on my skin, watching the sun set into the surf, the smells of the sea and the woods. I've enjoyed all the lovely shades of greens in the leaves and the forests, as well as all the hues of the blues, greens and grays of the sea. It was so good to be back "home" for a visit in the area I grew up.

http://anniescottage.org

More vacation posts and photos here:

http://xpressivehandz.blogspot.com/2012/07/todays-photo-and-asl-sign-lighthouse.html

http://xpressivehandz.blogspot.com/2012/07/octopus-is-word-photo-and-video-of-day.html

http://xpressivehandz.blogspot.com/2012/07/county-fair-and-sign-for-carnival.html

http://xpressivehandz.blogspot.com/2012/07/todays-photo-and-asl-sign-is-sea-lion.html

http://xpressivehandz.blogspot.com/2012/08/photo-of-fabulous-husband-and.html

http://xpressivehandz.blogspot.com/2012/08/todays-photo-and-asl-sign-is-sunset.html

http://xpressivehandz.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-asl-sign-and-video-today-is.html

http://xpressivehandz.blogspot.com/2012/08/starfish-anemones-caves-beach-and-sea.html

http://anniescottage.org

"Let it Go" ASL Music Video #WithCaptions

Here is another fabulous ASL music video directed by Jules Dameron (check out one of her other ASL music videos, "Rolling in the Deep" at http://youtu.be/QOUb6PhDBNc). This video, "Let it Go" is performed by Amber Zion and Jason Listman.



http://youtu.be/g1HVoEW5s50 

Be sure to check out D-PAN Deaf Professional Arts Network here: http://d-pan.com/videos/dpanvideos/let-it-go-frozen/ for other excellent performances available for your viewing entertainment.

Oticon Audiologist Blows the Whistle on Big Game Noise and Hearing Health

This was forwarded to me by Sara Coulter on behalf of Oticon to share with you. Be sure to click on the links below the post and check out the infographics.

Oticon Audiologist Blows the Whistle on Big Game Noise and Hearing Health

Whether you’re catching the Big Game in Phoenix or your hometown, noise levels on and away from the field can sideline your hearing health – and even lead to permanent damage.

“There’s a lot of noise around the game, the teams and the players as football fans gear up for Super Bowl Sunday,” says Dr. Mazevski. “But it’s the actual noise on the field and in the stands that can create challenges for hearing health.” 

Cheering fans can raise noise levels in NFL football stadiums to ear-damaging levels.  The average volume is estimated to be in the mid-90 decibel range – about the level of power tools.  This fall, Kansas City Chiefs fans upset the noise record for the loudest outdoor sports stadium coming in at a roaring 142.2 decibels, about the range of fireworks blast. Dr. Mazevski points out that repeated expose to sounds louder than 85-decibels can cause permanent hearing loss.  

If you didn’t score a ticket to the Big Game, you may still be exposed to unhealthy noise levels watching the game from your local sports bar. Fan excitement can drive up noise levels in off-the-field locations as well.  A group of Oticon audiologists tested noise levels during NFL playoffs at popular sports bars in several cities.  They found that on average, bar noise was in the 80 decibel range, about the noise level of an alarm clock.  During touchdowns, fan noise rose to 110 decibels and during big plays, reached 114.9 decibels - louder than a car horn.

Don’t think players on the field are spared exposure to noise in the stands.  Football helmets are designed to protect players’ heads, not their hearing. Openings on either side of the helmet allow them to hear crowd noise and calls on the field. When Oticon audiologists measured sound levels with a regulation helmet, using KEMAR, an acoustic research mannequin, sound levels were virtually the same with and without the helmet.

How to tackle the noise?  Dr. Mazevski recommends investing in inexpensive ear plugs to protect hearing from big game noise.  At just under $3.50 for a package of ten pairs, it’s about the best bargain fans are likely to see this season.  In recent years, Super Bowl ticket prices have averaged between $500 and $600.

It makes good hearing sense for fans to stay alert to noise damage post-game too. It’s not uncommon for ears to ring for a short period after being in a noisy environment.  If the ringing doesn’t go away after 3 or more days however, Dr. Mazevski recommends a checkup with a hearing care professional.

Check out Oticon’s colorful Sports & Noise Infographic for more hearing health facts and to learn how noise affects crowds, players and referees.  Visit oticonusa.com/infographic.

Learn more here:

http://www.oticonusa.com/hearing/Sports%20and%20Noise/sports-and-noise/Overview.aspx

Hearing Loss, How Hearing Devices Work and Don't Work - Rush Limbaugh Questioned

Questions on the Host's Hearing March 18, 2011  

BEGIN TRANSCRIPT RUSH:  Evan in West Coxsackie, New York, welcome to the EIB Network.  Hello.

CALLER:  Hey.  I'm just wondering, when you listen to music with your hearing aid, how's it sound?

RUSH:  Music?

CALLER:  Yeah, like if you're listening to music on an iPad or something?

RUSH:  Well, not very good.  I cannot listen to music that I've never heard before and identify the melody.

CALLER:  Oh.

RUSH:  I have a cochlear implant. It doesn't have nearly the sensitivity of the human ear, it's not even close.

CALLER:  I was just wondering.

RUSH:  Like violins or strings sound like fingernails on a chalkboard to me.

CALLER:  Oh, well, I was just wondering.

RUSH:  What I have to do, I can still listen to music, but it has to be music that I knew and that I've heard before I lost my hearing.  And what happens is that my brain, fertile mind, provides the melody.  I actually am not hearing the melody, and the way I can prove this to you, sometimes it will take me, even a song that I know, it will take me 30 seconds to identify it if I don't know what it is.  Now, if I'm playing a song off iTunes and the title is there and it starts then I can spot it from the middle, but if I'm listening to a song from the beginning, and I don't know what it is, it sometimes can take me 30 seconds to recognize it, if I knew it before.  But the quality of music that I hear is less than AM radio, in terms of fidelity.  I can turn the bass up on an amplifier and I don't hear any difference at all.  I can feel the floor vibrate, but I don't hear any more bass.  I can turn highs up and I can hear the difference in the highs, but on the low end I actually cannot -- (interruption)  I'm getting a note here that says: "You're not missing anything.  There aren't any melodies in music today."  (laughing)  At any rate, you adapt to it.  I've adapted.  

The worst part of my hearing is being in a crowd.  Like right now, I hear myself as well as I heard myself when I could hear.  If I'm talking to one other person in a quiet room I can comprehend 90-95% of what they say depending on how fast they're speaking.  There are some words that sound alike.  But you add room noise, like if Kathryn and I are watching TV and she wants to talk to me about what we're watching, I have to hit pause or the mute 'cause I cannot hear what she's saying.  Even if she's sitting two feet away I will not hear as long as there are other noises there.  Any room noise when added to other room noise is gonna be louder than the one voice that I'm trying to hear.  I've got the implant on my left side so if we go out in a public place, anybody on my right side, it's hopeless.  I'll have to literally turn to them, and sometimes as I turn to them they turn with me.  They don't know what I'm doing so we'll do pirouettes 'til I finally say, "No, you stay where you are.  I'm trying to position my ear so I can hear you."

The way I look at this, though, because when I tell these stories, "Oh, that's really horrible."  No, it's not.  'Cause if you look at the timeline of humanity, however long it is, 10,000 years, a million, billion, whatever the number is, my little time on it is not much larger than a grain of sand.  And yet I happen to lose my hearing at the same time technology had evolved to the point where cochlear implants had been invented.  If I had lost my hearing 15 years ago, it would have meant the end of my career.  I would not have been able to hear.  And the doctor said you might think that you could speak normally just by virtue of memory and feel, the way voice feels when you speak, but eventually your speech would deteriorate, and it would sound to people as though you had a speech defect.  It would just be automatic no matter how good you are, no matter how professional you are at it.  So that's really fortunate.  It's almost miraculous that my being afflicted with this autoimmune disease happens to coincide with technology.  Some call it divine intervention.  Some call it the age of miracles.  We're all one way or another part of this age of miracles.  Music is the one thing that I miss, but you know what else?  This is another thing.  Compatibility with other people in normal circumstances takes a big hit.  For example, my most comfortable is sheer quiet now.  The ringing of a phone or I'll be sitting in my library and there will be a noise. I remember we had been working on the alarm system, and I hadn't been told we were working on the alarm system and every 30 seconds something in the room would beep. I said, "Oh, my gosh, it that the smoker detector, what the hell?"  I'd have to call somebody in the office and say, "Where is this coming from?" because I couldn't tell where sound was coming from and I had no idea what it was.  One time the phone was left off the hook and there was street noise, it was the phone at the gate.  And it was street noise, but it didn't sound like street noise to me.  I don't even remember what it sounded like, but I couldn't pinpoint what it was.  The phone was still on the hook but the mute button on the speakerphone was off so I had no idea where it was coming from. I had to call somebody in and say, "What is this, where's it coming from?"  'Cause you always worry about something blowing up when there's a sound that you don't know.  

But I crave silence, blessed silence because anything other than speech is just noise.  It is irritating noise.  Well, most people go crazy in quiet environments.  They don't like it.  Most people love having the TV on in the background or some sort of sound or other. It irritates me.  It irritates the heck out of me because it's just noise and I can't identify it.  I know if it's noise on TV, but I can't tell you what somebody's saying.  I have to have closed-captioning to understand everything being said in a TV program, particularly if there's a music soundtrack.  And very few people use closed-captioning.  It distracts them.  Me, I need it. (interruption) No, I'm not just getting old and cranky, Snerdley.  And going in public to a restaurant is, depending on the place, it is impossible. It literally can be impossible to have a conversation except with anybody on the left, and at some places I have to get within an inch of what they're saying to be able to comprehend.  I hear everything, but making sense of it…  

See, the human ear has 35,000 hair cells in each ear.  They're microscopic.  But they still are different sizes and widths, lengths, and they vibrate.  When they sense noise, sound, whatever, they start the whole process of energy through the audial nerve.  Well, the autoimmune system killed all 35,000 hair cells in both ears, so they're laying down.  They're still in there, but they're laying down.  Cochlear implant, I've got eight electrodes, and I'm actually now down to six because two of them were causing facial tics when the volume got too high. My eyes were closing, I looked spastic.  I had to deactivate two of those electrodes, so I'm down to six.  So I've got six manmade bionic electrodes trying to do the job of 35,000 or 70,000 hair cells in terms of frequency response and all that, and there's no way, it just can't be done.  (interruption) No, the technology has not improved.  Now what has improved is, like this Esteem thing that we talk about, if you have residual hearing, that's miraculous.  The hardware hasn't changed.  There are some software improvements.  

For example, with the implant I have there's a program called High Res, which activates 20 electrodes.  But it doesn't work for me.  Everybody is different.  They turn on those 20 electrodes -- I got 'em in there -- you turn on the 20 and everybody sounds like the chipmunks to me. It's worse.  And that's the digital.  I'm using the analog.  Everybody that has one of these things has a different experience.  Everybody says you need to get one on your right side now.  I kept the right side clear because there might have been a cure for these dead hair cells.  Now I've been told there won't be.  So if I get an implant on the right side that would solve some of the spatial stuff and it would enable me to hear people on my right side if I'm in a public place or what have you.  Music, it's amazing what the memory can do when I'm listening to music that I love, that I've known. In fact, I can create the music without evening hearing it.  Your memory, your mind can do that. 

BREAK TRANSCRIPT

RUSH:  Look, folks, don't get the wrong idea.  Having a cochlear implant has a lot of positives.  I was out playing golf the other day with a bunch of guys, and there was a loudmouth crow in a palm tree right on the tee box, no more than ten feet above us.  The thing was cawing like crazy.  You just wanted to grab something and throw it at the damn bird to shut up, and it was screwing everybody's tee shots off.  I mean, you can't concentrate. The guys would swing and right at the moment of impact, "CAWWW!" and you could just see the effect. 

All I did was take my implant off, gently place it on the ground, and total silence. No distractions whatsoever.  However, I do have tinnitus (some people say tinn-i-tus) in my right ear -- which, in my case, I constantly hear Gregorian chants.  That's the noise in my right ear, but I've got so used to it I don't hear it unless I stop to focus on it, but it's always there.  I always think I'm in touch with God.  Gregorian chants are constantly going off in my right ear.  END TRANSCRIPT *Note: Links to content outside RushLimbaugh.com usually become inactive over time.

The Social Challenges of Hearing Loss

"The Social Challenges of Hearing Loss" as seen in ALDA News

Have you ever had an embarrassing moment of miscommunication? I have, numerous times. Here is one of my more memorable moments...

The Social Challenges of Hearing Loss

By Joyce Edmiston

You might think that as a child with a hearing loss, I would have grown up being used to social situations where it is difficult to follow what is being said and what is going on. It wasn’t like that for me. In fact, in many ways, I was socially stunted because of my hearing loss.

Much of what goes on is accessed through the ears. Conversations are happening around us everywhere we go, and people learn about social graces by listening to the comments of others. (This is called incidental learning.) We learn how to use words to convey emotions, social norms, acceptable behavior, and small talk. On more than one occasion, people have mentioned that I don’t waste much time getting to the point, and as a result, I sometimes come across as rude. I’m not actually being rude—I just know that by the time I get to the end of small talk, I’ll be worn out from trying to follow the conversation and be so mentally exhausted that I’ll miss important parts.  I’m sure some of you reading this can relate. It’s so much easier just to get to the point, but that’s not the norm. People talk a lot without saying much before arriving at what they actually want to communicate. The small pleasantries of discussing the weather, asking how the family is, and even a simple “how are you” can turn into a huge discussion.

I’ve noticed through the years that as my hearing deteriorates further, it becomes easier for me to talk a lot about nothing just so I won't have to ask the other person time and again, “I’m sorry?” or “Could you repeat that, please?”  If I do most of the talking, there is less chance that I will answer inappropriately. That is my biggest fear when it comes to socializing, and I spent many years isolating myself because of it. I don’t know the scientific name for this phobia, if there is one. It was never a problem for me until I went to the dinner party that changed that. 

I was married to a military police officer in the early 1980s. This was before I got my first hearing aids. (It was actually this man who set me up with the audiologist that prescribed my first ones, courtesy of the U. S. Army, while we were stationed in Europe, but this happened after the story I’m about to tell you.)

That husband—I’ll call him  M.P. for military policeman—received orders to report to Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, Georgia. I was 22 at the time. We opted to live off base in a house near Kings Ferry and Ogeechee. The landlord lived on the other side of the watermelon patch behind the rental. He was very friendly, the epitome of Southern hospitality, and invited us to his home for dinner the next day with some of their friends. His wife, he said, made the best barbeque in these parts. Although I was nervous about meeting new people and making new friends, I knew it was important to accept the invitation.

M.P. went through processing the next day.  He had a bad reaction to the typhoid fever vaccination and was sent home early.  He began developing a fever and needed to get into bed. By now, it was late afternoon, and we were expected at Mr. and Mrs. Landlord’s house in just a couple of hours. While I was debating whether I should stay home and be a nurse, M.P. said to just go to the neighbor's for dinner. It wasn’t like I was driving across town—I would be right next door, and he wanted to be left alone and sleep.

I walked past the watermelon patch up to Mr. and Mrs. Landlord’s home. Mr. Landlord introduced to their adult son and their friends, a young couple. The gentleman was an officer from the base where  M.P. was just processed. I don’t remember much about his girlfriend other than she was lovely and so soft spoken that I didn’t hear her well. I let them carry the conversation and I didn’t say too much.

As the hostess prepared each plate, I began to lose my appetite. The meat was a gray stringy concoction with a watery gray sauce. Not wanting to be rude, I began to think about what I could say so she wouldn’t put as much on my plate as she was giving everyone else. When she looked my direction as she picked up a plate, I requested, “Not too much for me, if you don’t mind. My husband and I had a very late lunch today.”

While I was watching the hostess as she began putting a small portion on my plate, the officer sitting across from me asked, “Where is he at?”

 "He’s home in bed,” I replied.

Mrs. Landlord frowned and gave me an odd look. I glanced at her husband, who gave me a very stern look. Then I looked at the officer who had asked me the question. His face was red, and it looked as though he was trying to keep from laughing.

Warning bells went off in my head. Something just wasn’t right. I asked the officer, “You did ask me ‘Where’s he at?,’ didn’t you?”

Still red-faced, he slowly shook his head no. “I asked, ‘What did you have for lunch?’ ”

To say I was greatly embarrassed is an understatement. To this day I don’t remember what the food tasted like, what we talked about, or anything else other than how quickly I left for home with the excuse, “I need to go check on my husband.”

I can laugh about this today, because it really is funny. However, back when I was young, inexperienced, and awkward in social gatherings, this misunderstanding caused me to not go anywhere socially without M.P. I lost many wonderful opportunities by allowing that moment to define my social choices. I missed out on friendships, meeting fascinating new people, and traveling with other military wives when we were stationed in Europe. As a young woman, I didn’t know how to explain my hearing loss or advocate for myself.

This is why I believe it’s so important to have support groups such as ALDA and HLAA (Hearing Loss Association of America) and why I love reading stories about other deafened, hard of hearing, and Deaf people. I also think it’s why blogging is on the rise among us. If you haven’t checked out some of these blogs, I encourage you to do so. You’ll learn, you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll understand, and you’ll relate. Here are a few blogs I like to visit:

Amy Sargent aka Deaf Girl Amy is a wonderful writer, advocate, and blogger at http://deafgirlamy.com/thriving-deafie-spotlight.html

Be sure to check the trailer for Amy’s book, A Survival Guide for New Deafies, at http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qfk0pnt9fDQ

Author Shanna Bartlett Groves, aka Lipreading Mom, blogs at http://lipreadingmom.com

Charlie Swinbourne, a TV screen writer in the UK, publishes an international e-daily, “The Limping Chicken,” athttp://limpingchicken.com

If you’re looking for a place that covers a wide variety of issues regarding deafness from bloggers around the world, check out http://www.deafread.com

For the top blogs that cover deafness, go tohttp://deaf.alltop.com

While you’re at it, stop by my blog athttp://xpressivehandz.blogspot.com , where there is something new each week. I also encourage others to guest post. Do you have something on your mind you would like to share? Email me at xpressivehandz@hotmail.com and put “Blog Post” in the subject line.

from: ALDA News, Summer, 2013 Volume 29, Issue

The First-Ever InterNational Online DeafBlind Conference

 My friend Carol sent this flyer to me regarding this conference. As pointed out, "Through the use of revolutionary technologies, the conference will also be available through speech-to-subtitles software in up to 78 DIFFERENT LANGUAGES! So tell your friends from across the miles!"

"We may use different ways to say something, but the desire to communicate is global!"

It is January 24-25, 2015.

Learn more here: http://www.deafblindtip.com/ 

A shout out of thanks to my friend Carol Mellott for passing this along!

Beach heART

Fabulous Husband designed this in the sand for me last week when the days were sunny. Isn't he FABULOUS?!? 

Nets Kids Dancer Defies Odds Despite Hearing Loss

I had the privilege of meeting the inspiring Vako Gvelesiani and his family this summer in New Jersey at Oticon's "Focus on People" Awards. Vako won the award in the category of "Student". His mother sent me the link to Monday's (Dec. 28, 2014) issue of "Today's News" which covers Vako's story of dance. This young man has a bright future and I think we'll be watching Vako shine for a long, long time!

Brooklyn Nets Kids dancer defies odds, performs despite hearing loss: http://www.today.com/news/brooklyn-nets-kids-dancer-defies-odds-performs-despite-severe-hearing-1D80393097

Left to right is Susie Chambre, winner in the "Adult" category, Vako Gvelesiani, winner in "Student" category, Joyce Edmiston, winner for "Advocacy" and on the far right is Susie Ternes, winner of the "Practitioner" category.

Captioned ASL story "The the Night Before Christmas"

This is a repost of one of my favorite videos from Christmas of last year, 2013.

Here is a delightful signed and captioned account of "The Night Before Christmas" posted by Sheena McFeely.. Isn't she adorable? Be sure to check the second video for "9 Reasons This Little Girl's ASL Version is so Great" at the bottom of this post!

Happy Christmas!Here is a delightful signed and captioned account of "The Night Before Christmas" posted by Sheena McFeely.. Isn't she adorable? Be sure to check the second video for "9 Reasons This Little Girl's ASL Version is so Great" at the bottom of this post!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fdj4SybV4UE#t=22

9 Reasons Why This Little Girl's ASL Version is so Great:
http://mentalfloss.com/article/54306/9-reasons-little-girls-sign-language-version-twas-night-christmas-great

ASL Music Video "Rolling in the Deep" featuring Amber Zion

I enjoy finding artsy ASL music videos, and this little gem is darkly mesmerizing. It is captioned.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOUb6PhDBNc

Sh** Hearing People Say (Things You Don't Say to Deaf and Hard of Hearing)

Rikki Poynter shares with us some of the things people have said to her over the years regarding her deafness. Many deaf people, and people with hearing loss have heard these, and many more in their lifetime. I don't have such witty remarks to share as this young lady, but I admire her spunk and that she freely expresses what she thinks.


https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS7wVohIwd66b95xyuw7DFQ
What comments have been directed to you, and how did you respond?

Photo of Bandon Beach Sunset by Gary Edmiston

This sunset at Bandon Beach, Oregon was captured by Fabulous Husband, aka HipFotoGuy, Gary Edmiston -  you can contact him at hipfotoguy@live.com for prints. He's also on FaceBook 

52 Reasons to Visit Breathtaking, Benevolent Bandon by the Sea, Oregon - guest post by Sherrill Gray

Founded in 1873 by Lord George Bennett of Ireland, the quaint coastal town of Bandon, located just 90 miles north of the California boarder, may be referred to as the “Hub of the Southern Oregon Coast”.  Historically, known for fishing and timber opportunities; today’s modern Bandon is filled with an abundance of breathtaking scenery, benevolent residents, unique cultures, family recreation and historic venues. Its sights and shops are all within walking distance of charming Old Town, which makes it the perfect place for strolling, shopping and dining while you're on holiday. If you haven’t put this coastal town on your Bucket List, you might be missing out on more than you think.

1.    Go Fly a Kite: If you’re looking for a day of fun at the beach, flying kites is an affordable activity the whole family will enjoy and Bandon’s beaches are a kite flyers' paradise.  Pick up a kite at the Koffee N Kites Shop located in Old Town.

2.    Let’s Go Fishing: Sideline Guide service is comprised of years of river fishing along with dedication and research that has earned Craig Paulsen the reputation of the go-to guy. Novice or experienced, Craig welcomes all anglers. www.sidelineguide.com .  If you’re interested in a Deep Sea Fishing Adventure.  Give Ken & Phyllis Butler a call at Prowler Charters and book a seat on one of their sea worthy vessels. They will make your day on the ocean a memorable one.  All gear is supplied. 325 1st St SE (541) 347-1901

3.    Visit a Winery: The Foster Family is popular for their cranberry wines at Sea Mist Winery. They take pride is using all locally grown cranberries from their own 32 acre farm and are happy to host tours to curious guests. www.seamistwine.com

4.    Play Golf: Bandon has gained much recognition due to its beautiful golf courses.  Bandon Dunes Golf Resort offers a five star experience.  You will also find an array of other amenities at the Dunes Resort including overnight accommodations and fine dining. www.bandondunesgolf.com .  Bandon Crossings Golf Course is home to “18 Unique Experiences. Named one of the 10 best new courses of 2007 by GOLF Magazine, it is gathering a loyal following as it offers both great golf and great value.  www.bandoncrossings.com  

5.    Turn Trash into Art: Washed Ashore is a local and internationally known non-profit, community based organization, with a mission to educate and create awareness about pollution through art. Witness for yourself the massive sculptures of sea life, made from marine debris. This is a great experience for the whole family.  www.washedashore.org 

6.    Visit a Myrtlewood Factory: Zumwalt’s Myrtlewood  gifts made from the rare Myrtlewood tree, indigenous only to Northern California, Southern Oregon and Israel, are unmatched in their elegance and will be treasured over the years. www.zumwaltsmyrtlewood.com

7.    Pet a Wild Animal: Just 7 miles south of Bandon is West Coast Game Park Safari,  home to over 450 animals and birds representing 75 different species.  Walk and talk with the animals. This is as up close and personal as it gets. www.westcoastgameparksafari.com

8.    Eat some Chocolate: Coastal Mist Chocolate serve up a full line of artesian, European desserts, pastries and a Chocolate Lovers Club. www.coastalmist.com   Bandon is Oregon's cranberry capital, and for 50 years Cranberry Sweets has been combining cranberries and chocolate.  But don’t take my word for it ~ they offer samples to everyone. www.cranberrysweets.com

9.    Pick a Blueberry; David Leff at Twin Creek Ranch Blueberry Farm welcomes folks to come visit his blueberry haven. Pick your own or buy them picked.  David takes pride in his naturally grown berries. Give him a call to schedule a tour. (541)404-4262.

10. Tour a Cranberry Farm: Bandon’s cranberry industry dates back to the 1890s, and produces 500,000 barrels annually. Faber Farms offer free educational tours daily from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Call ahead at (541)347-1166 or visit www.faberfarms.com

11. Visit a Lavender Farm: Lavender can help you relax & gain clarity as you take the next steps toward the rest of your day and the Lavender Lady Farm promises all natural products made from sustainably grown lavender. www.lavenderladyfarm.com  

12. Taste some Oregon Jam: Misty Meadows Jam has been making jam and other condiments in Bandon since the 70’s. There are so many flavors to choose from, all made with locally grown fruits and berries. www.oregonjam.com

13. Visit a Museum: The Bandon Historical Museum is dedicated to preserving, interpreting and sharing the wonderful heritage of Bandon, the Coquille Valley, and southwestern Oregon. The museum is open seven days a week from 10:00 to 4:00 PM.  www.bandonhistoricalmuseum.org

14. Take in a Show:  Check out play schedules for the Sprague Theater at www.spraguetheater.org  or The Bandon Playhouse Theater at www.thebandonplayhouse.org.

15. Stay at a Beachfront Inn: The Inn at Face Rock is an ocean view retreat for the beach lover and those just looking to be pampered. www.innatfacerock.com  

16. Tantalize your Palate: Bandon has a plethora of specialty eateries, from Fresh Seafood to Italian Coastal Cuisine. Check out the few listed here. www.allorowinebar.com. www.lordbennett.com. www.theloftofbandon.com .

17. Say Cheese: Face Rock Creamery specializes in making premium, hand crafted, gourmet cheeses from start to finish. Stop by and watch their Creamery Technicians work and enjoy sampling. www.facerockcreamery.com

18. Walk the Boardwalk: Located on the waterfront, the Famous Bandon Boardwalk is an artsy adventure. Visit sea sculptures scattered along this riverside promenade.

19. Visit a Lighthouse: Coquille River Lighthouse was erected on February 29, 1896. Discover what an amazing role this majestic structure played in the history of this seaport community. www.lighthousefriends.com

20. Bird Watch: The Bandon Marsh Refuge is renowned for its excellent shorebird viewing opportunities. Birdwatchers visiting in the spring or fall can expect to see thousands of native species. http://www.fws.gov/oregoncoast/bandonmarsh/index.htm

21. Take a Stroll:  Bandon's Old Town shopping district is a feast for the senses. Click the link below for an interactive map of the city. http://www.bandon.com/downloads/BandonOTMap.pdf

22. Visit a Marina: The Port of Bandon is a stopover for commercial, sport and ocean going cruisers providing fuel and marine pump out capabilities. Contact the Port for mooring information. www.portofbandon.com

23. Grab a Donut: Bandon Baking Company has been satisfying customer’s cravings for over 14 years. Year after year, tourists return for their wholesome sweets.  www.bandonbakingco.com

24. Expand your Wardrobe: Located at 92 SE 2^nd Street, Devon’s Boutique boasts a nod for storefront excellence by the Oregon Main Street program and multiple shoppers-choice awards. www.devonsboutique.com    For a more casual flare stop by Black Horse Boutique, located at 385 N. 2^nd Street is where you will find a wide variety of apparel and great prices.

25. Personalize a T-shirt: Gibson Graphics is a local screen print business that specializes in personalized shirts, hats, jackets and team wear. www.bandonshirts.com

26. Read a Bestseller: WinterRiver Books is an independent bookstore located in the heart of Old Town. This expansive bookstore offers a relaxing atmosphere and a unique selection of children’s books, cards, music, games and reviews on all the new arrivals.www.winterriverbooks.com

27. Horseback on the Beach: Enjoy a guided North Beach trip along the Pacific Ocean on horseback while taking in tide pools, majestic rock views and caves. Call Bandon Beach Riding Stables for reservation (541)347-3423

28. Check out Local Artists: Second Street Gallery featuring over 89 artists and art companies primarily in the Pacific Northwest.  www.secondstreetgallery.net.  Offering workshops in: kelp basketry, jewelry making, glass fusing, or more, the Sage Place is the place to let your creative spirit play. www.sageplacebandon.com.   Riverside Studio located at 346 Riverside Dr. specializes in pottery & basket weaving and frequently offers classes. Call for details on class schedules. (541)551-0071

29. Buy some Wool: The Wool Company has an ever growing product line of Alpaca, Merino, Cashmere, Angora and Shetland wool yarns. Beautiful organic cottons, scrumptious silk blends and mink yarns are also available. www.woolcompany.com

30. Go Camping: Bullard’s Beach State Park & Campground is nestled among shore pines and well protected from the strong ocean breezes. This large park, just two miles north of Bandon, has access to dunes and beaches. Take a walk or bike ride on a paved pathway to the beach.  Don’t forget your binoculars!

31. Grab an Ice Cream Cone: Located at 130 Baltimore in Old Town, The Big Wheel General Store is home to the Fudge Factory, and the best ice cream in town, they offer every flavor you could think of and a few more.

32. Board a Pet: At Riverview Kennels canine and feline clients enjoy spacious, comfortable runs, fully heated facilities and many other comforts. Open 7 days a week.  Check out vaccination requirements  www.riverviewkennels.com

33.  Collect a Gem: Jail House Rock is located at 570 2nd St. Here you will find unique jewelry and one-of-a-kind gems to purchase, or you can design your own. You might even find a pet rock!

34. Rent a Bicycle:  South Coast Bicycles is a full-service cycling center and carries something for everyone and for all ages. Rent a bicycle for a day, weekend or week, with single and multiple-day special rates. www.southcoastbicycles.com.  They also provide you with a route planner at www.twowheeloregon.com.

35. Take a Glass Art class: Bryce Dimitruk’s Vines Art Glass Gallery offers beautiful works of art from hand blown glass ornaments to one of a kind vases and sculptures. Visit their website for class schedules www.vinesartglass.com or call (541)347-2652.

36. Buy some Leather: The Cobbler's Bench offers quality shoes and clothing. Purchase  new leather or take your old leather in for repair. www.bandoncobblersbench.com 

37. Eat Vegan: Better known as the “Organic Wine Press” Pacific Blues has been serving organic cuisine and wines for years. They cater to specialty preferences and offer indoor or outdoor seating. www.organicwinepress.com

38. Watch a Parade: Bandon’s Cranberry Festival is an event that began over 60 years ago to pay tribute to the community’s No. 1 agricultural crop. It’s a weekend affair and takes place the second weekend in September annually.

39. Browse a Gift Gallery: The Spirit of Oregon, located at 112 S 2^nd is not short on unique gifts featuring handmade pottery, sea baskets and animal sculptures.

40. Order a Cheesecake:  www.chubbygirlcheesecakes.com

41. Buy Fresh Seafood: Bandon Fish Market  provides locally caught seafood, delicious smoked fish, fresh shrimp, oysters, and Dungeness crab, caught in season, visit www.bandonfishmarket.com

42. Shop Exotic: Check out Tribal Artifacts and Exquisite Indigenous Treasures at Bandon’s most exotic shop The Gypsy Wagon.  www.bandonwagon.tumblr.com

43. Capture a moment: PortraitEFX offers customers a National Brand Photographic Network with Local Touch and Care, they bring decades of high-volume photography and marketing experience. Call Gary Edmiston of South Oregon Coast portraitEFX at (541)982-9393 www.soc.portraitefx.com

44. Get Pampered at the Spa: Vicki G's Salon & Day Spa offers a variety of spa treatments to provide you a healthy, relaxed, revitalized sense of calm and wellness for your body and soul. www.vickigspa.com

45. Pick up a Souvenir:  Bandon Mercantile ensures a wonderful shopping experience with exceptional customer service and high quality merchandise at great prices. www.bandonmercantile.com.  Bandon Card & Gift Shoppe, located in Old Town has a collection of general gifts, wind-chimes, wind-socks, cards, tee shirts, collectibles, jewelry, holiday ornaments & figurines. "A unique collection of gifts for all seasons”.

46. Have a picnic: Bandon State Natural Park awaits the beachcomber, the explorer, the artist and the dreamer. Located along Bandon's Beach Loop Road, there are several locations with easy beach access, picnicking and unsurpassed views.  www.oregonstateparks.org

47. Visit a Toy Store: The Toy Room has a large selection of baby gifts and toys, Klutz, Think Fun, Melissa & Doug, games, dress-up, wooden toys, kites and magic kits. Something for kids of all ages.  Call 541-347-9783 for store hours.

48.  Go Crabbing: The Port-O-Call will make sure you have everything you need to crab off the docks, fishing licenses, crab pots, fishing poles and bait are always available. Weber’s Pier, provides access to 360 feet of a concrete crabbing dock. Bring a chair and get ready to spend a wonderful day of family fun crabbing for delicious Oregon Dungeness Crab.  www.tonyscrabshack.com/port-o-call/  

49. Eat a Famous Fish Taco: Tony’s Crab Shack is located on the Bandon Boardwalk draws folks from all over the state to enjoy their friendly atmosphere, fresh seafood and the salt air of the mighty Pacific Ocean. www.tonyscrabshack.com  

50. Go Kayaking: South Coast Tours will take you on an adventure paddle in the Wild Rivers Coast estuaries.  Go fishing, wildlife viewing or just simply enjoy the experience of gliding across the waterways. Check their website for rates and availability.  www.southcoasttours.net  

51. Visit a Fish Hatchery: Visitors can view and feed large rainbow trout in a show pond, and can observe the spawning of salmon and steelhead October – March. Bandon Fish Hatchery is located at 55212 Fish Hatchery Road, Bandon, OR 97411 (541) 347-4278

52. Catch a Sunset: The perfect ending to a perfect day, overlooking the beach, viewing majestic sea stacks, and the smell of the Pacific Ocean.  There’s nothing more mesmerizing than a sunset at the Oregon Coast.  

      Today's guest post is written by Sherrill Gray. Sherill is a native Oregonian who is passionate about Umpqua Valley wines and craft brews. She and her husband Doug own and operate Gray Ghost Tours, a wine and brewery tour business in Roseburg. Sherrill publishes a monthly online news letter, The Umpqua Valley Crush and is Chapter Director for Girls Gone Grape Southern Oregon, an organization that is community driven by women.

Sherrill Gray