The new look for 2025
Welcome to our new look monthly tips where we are pleased to share a plethora of tricks and tips that are relevant to such things as technology, travel, managing your daily life, and much more.
So just come aboard, sit back, take a deep breath, and enjoy!
If you wish to contact us then please do not hesitate to write to us at info@sterlingcreations.ca and we promise to respond within 2 business days as long as technology allows us to do so.
Give us your feedback, comments, suggestions, and thoughts!
For it is only through you and with you that we are able to do this!
Table of contents –
1. From our 10 tips on technology series
2. From the pages of Donna’s travel diary
3. A bit of this and a bit of that from Donna’s did you know diary
4. From the scam watchers
5. Tips from Melanie Mama Peach
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From our 10 tips on technology series
Hello everyone:
Welcome to my 10 tip series where each month I’ll be sharing 10 tips on various pieces of technology.
This would include tips on popular screen readers, office software, and browsers.
If you have any suggestions on what you would like me to share then by all means! Write to me at donnajodhan@sterlingcreations.ca.
For this month:
10 tips for learning about google drive
Here are 10 tips for learning about Google Drive and getting the most out of it:
1. Understand the Basics
• Google Drive is a cloud storage service that lets you save and access files from any device.
• You get 15GB of free storage (shared across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos).
2. Organize with Folders & Labels
• Create folders to categorize your files.
• Use colors & stars to mark important folders.
• Use the “Priority” section to quickly find frequently used files.
3. Learn Sharing & Permissions
• Share files with others via email or a link.
• Choose between Viewer, Commenter, or Editor permissions.
• Use “Restricted” mode to keep files private.
4. Use Google Docs, Sheets, & Slides
• Google Drive integrates with Docs (word processing), Sheets (spreadsheets), and Slides (presentations).
• Files auto-save in Drive, and you can access them offline if enabled.
5. Utilize Drive Search & Filters
• Use keywords in the search bar to find files quickly.
• Filter by file type, owner, and modification date.
• Use “has:attachment” in Gmail search to find Drive files attached to emails.
6. Sync with Google Drive for Desktop
• Install Google Drive for Desktop to sync files between your PC and the cloud.
• Choose between “Mirror” (full sync) and “Stream” (cloud-only) options.
7. Backup Important Files
• Upload critical files to Drive as a backup.
• Use Google Photos for backing up pictures and videos.
• Enable “Offline mode” for access without an internet connection.
8. Use Google Forms & Apps Integration
• Create surveys and quizzes with Google Forms, and responses go directly into Sheets.
• Integrate with third-party apps like Adobe Acrobat, Trello, and Slack.
9. Recover Deleted Files
• Files in the Trash stay for 30 days before permanent deletion.
• Use “Manage Versions” to restore older file versions.
• If you delete something permanently, try contacting Google Support.
10. Enhance Security
• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for extra protection.
• Review who has access to your shared files.
• Use Drive encryption when storing sensitive data.
To contact me please send an email to info@sterlingcreations.ca
I’m Donna J. Jodhan (sight loss coach and accessibility advisor)
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Important tips from the travel table
From the pages of Donna’s diary
A horse drawn carriage ride
I am still hoping to be able to enjoy one of these and I did have my opportunity when I visited Austria in 2023 but not sure what held me back.
So my comments would just be hoping for the following.
* That steps up to the carriage are easy to negotiate and not too steep.
* That seats are comfortable and evenly spaced.
* That it is negotiate between seats.
* that comfort is top of the list.
* That carriage drivers are friendly and welcoming.
* that the carriage trip is just the right length of time.
This should be a good wish list to begin.
I’m Donna J. Jodhan enjoying my travels.
To learn more about me as a sight loss coach and author visit
http://www.donnajodhan.com
On your next trip you could enrich your down time with some of my audio mysteries. Take them with you wherever you go!
In the car, on the plane, on the bus or train, at the beach, anywhere!
And now you can listen to Donna’s weekly podcasts!
Ask donna – a plethora of tips from a sight loss coach along with book and product reviews!
Dining with donna – recipes and time saving tips for the kitchen!
Your mental stretch with Donna – how to recharge, renew, and get going! Save yourself from those dramas, traumas, and stress!
Visit www.donnajodhan.com/youtube
and subscribe for free
Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
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A bit of this and a bit of that from Donna’s did you know diary
July 2025 monthly tips
A bit of this and a bit of that from Donna’s did you know diary
Award winning sight loss coach, author and advocate
You can contact me via email at donnajodhan@gmail.com
Practical and natural!
Welcome to my Donna’s did you know diary for this month and pleased to share the following with you.
Here’s what I learned for this month.
1) Interesting reading about elephants!
1) The most obvious characteristic of elephants, besides their massive size, is their trunk.
An elephant’s trunk is nothing more than an elongation of their nose and upper lip,
but it is the most versatile of all mammalian creations.
The trunk is composed of an estimated 150,000 muscles
and is employed as a nose, arm, hand,
and multipurpose tool to pull branches off trees,
uproot grass, pluck fruit, and to place food in their mouths.
The trunk is also used for smelling, trumpeting, drinking, greeting, or throwing dust for dust baths.
Elephant tusks are elongated upper incisors and are the largest and heaviest teeth of any living animal.
The tusks are used for digging for roots and water, stripping the bark off trees for food,
defense from predators,
and fighting each other during mating season.
Elephant tusks grow continuously throughout the elephant’s life.
They can grow as long as 10 feet and weigh as much as 150 pounds each.
2) A tip on saving water when doing your laundry
It is always best to turn off the taps after you have done your laundry.
Not doing so will only serve to waste water.
3) Some tips about weight
If you find that your shoes are fitting you slacker then you may have lost some weight.
4) About having airplane mode on
Best to have airplane mode on while staying at a hotel.
This way you ensure that you do not incur unnecessary wi-fi connection charges.
5) About Aspirin
You can take Aspirin to help you settle an upset or Nauseous tummy
6) About egg shells
Grind up egg shells to make fertilizer.
Feed them to your hens to help them produce healthy eggs and chicks.
7) About coffee grinds
Use coffee grinds to help you fertilize your garden beds.
8) about deer
The white tail deer use their tails to warn their fellow deer of pending danger.
They swish them in the air.
9) About best before dates
They are particularly important when checking meat and deary products.
10) About shrink flation
This term applies to shrinking packages of food and rising prices.
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From the scam watchers
Donna J. Jodhan is a world renowned advocate, author, blogger, sight loss coach, dinner mystery writer and producer, entrepreneur, law graduate, and podcast commentator.
Donna has been in the business since 2000 and her many roles have allowed her to recognize that there is a growing need for consumers and clients to be made aware of some of the most dangerous and popular scams.
Donna herself has been unwittingly scammed over the years a few times and now she is using her skills, experience, knowledge, and expertise to help others avoid pitfalls and heartache.
And as a vision impaired professional and person she is ready to help you stay ahead!
Donna knows only too well how much we all need to work overtime to protect the most vulnerable from those unscrupulous scammers!
Please read her latest suite of scams and she would love to hear from you with your own feedback.
Predicting specific scams for a future date like July 2025 can be tricky, as scams tend to evolve with technology, trends, and global events. However, there are some patterns and emerging trends that we can look at, based on current advancements and societal shifts. Here are three notable scams that could potentially emerge around that time:
1. AI-Powered Identity Theft Scams
With AI technologies rapidly advancing, especially in the fields of deep learning and synthetic media (like deepfakes), scammers may leverage these tools to impersonate individuals more convincingly. In July 2025, we could see scams where criminals use AI to mimic voices, faces, and writing styles of loved ones or business associates, convincing victims to transfer money or share personal information. These scams might include:
• Deepfake video or audio calls pretending to be a family member in distress.
• Fake emails or messages from “official” organizations, made to look more convincing due to AI-generated elements.
2. Cryptocurrency Investment Scams with a “DeFi” Twist
Decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms are growing in popularity, and by 2025, they may be more widely integrated into mainstream finance. However, this could lead to an increase in DeFi-related investment scams. These scams could involve:
• Fake DeFi platforms promising high returns on investments or staking opportunities.
• Ponzi schemes disguised as “liquidity pools” or “yield farming.”
• Fraudulent tokens or coins being promoted with celebrity endorsements or fabricated success stories. Victims may be lured in by promises of “easy profits” in a market that continues to lack strong regulations.
3. Smart Home Device Exploitation Scams
As the “Internet of Things” (IoT) grows, with more homes adopting smart devices like security cameras, voice assistants, and thermostats, there could be a rise in smart home-related scams. Scammers may take advantage of vulnerabilities in smart devices to trick victims into compromising their security or personal information. Possible scams include:
• Fake “smart device updates” or “security patches” sent through phishing emails that, when clicked, infect the device with malware.
• Scammers hacking into smart home systems to create fake tech support scenarios, convincing the owner to grant access or send payments for “urgent repairs.”
• Fraudulent smart home product offers, where the victim buys devices or services that are either non-existent or used to compromise their privacy.
By July 2025, these scams could become more sophisticated as technology continues to advance. Staying vigilant about new security practices and educating oneself on the latest fraud tactics will be key to avoiding these potential threats.
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Tips from Melanie Mama Peach
Guide To Using Herbs
Which herb goes with what food?
If you grow herbs as houseplants or in the garden, you’ll, want to harvest and use them, so here’s a handy list of foods they’ll complement.
BEEF:
About 15 herbs go well with beef; recommended are basil, bay, caraway, coriander, cumin, dill, marigold, marjoram, mint, sage, savories, tarragon and thyme (no rosemary).
PORK:
Anise, basil, bergamot, chervil, coriander, cumin, dill, fennel, lemon balm, mint, marjoram, rosemary, sage, savories, tarragon and thyme.
LAMB:
Other than mint, there’s basil, bay, caraway,, coriander, cumin, dills good, lemon balm, hyssop, marjoram, rosemary, sage, savories or thyme.
POULTRY:
For chicken only: basil or bay is always good; also caraway, coriander, cumin, dill, lemon balm, marigold, marjoram, mint, rosemary and tarragon; for both sage and savories; for turkey, thyme.
FISH AND SHELLFISH:
For fish, anise, basil, caraway, chives, coriander, dill, fennel, hyssop, lemon balm (excellent), marigold, marjoram, mint, parsley, rosemary, sage, savories, tarragon; shellfish and fish, rosemary and thyme.
BREADS AND CAKES:
Coriander, cumin, caraway, dill, marigold and marjoram. Also anise, fennel, lovage and rosemary.
GOOSE:
Sage.
DUCK:
Dill is good, so is mint. But you might try hyssop, rosemary, sage, savories, tarragon.
EGGS:
Scramble them with chives or dill. Or, with any of the following: anise, basil, chervil, coriander, cumin, lemon balm, lovage, marjoram, mint, parsley, rosemary, sage, savories, tarragon or thyme.
LIVER:
Coriander, sage or tarragon.
SALADS:
Anise, basil, bergamot, borage, caraway, catmint, chervil, chickweed, chives, comfrey, coriander, cumin, dandelion, dill, elder, hyssop, lemon balm, marigold, mint, parsley, salad burnet, roses, sweet cicely, tarragon and thyme.
SOUPS:
Try anise, borage, chickweed, caraway, chives, cumin, dill, fennel, hyssop, lemon balm, lovage, marigold, marjoram, mint, salad burnet, stinging nettles, savories, tarragon, thyme.
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Contact info:
Visit our websites at www.sterlingcreations.ca
www.donnajodhan.com
www.sterlingcreations.com
Email us at info@sterlingcreations.ca
Or call us at 416 491-7711