Braille writing machines

 

I’m wrapping up my posts about eyes with a little about how braille works.

Braille can be written using slates & styluses, mechanical braillewriters, electronic braille keyboards, braille notetakers, refreshable braille displays, and braille embossers. Here is a bit about each method.

Slate and Stylus

This is a simple, portable tool used to punch braille dots into paper, works like “paper and pencil” for braille. However, it requires writing backwards so the dots read correctly when the paper is flipped.

Mechanical Braillewriter aka a Brailler

This works like a typewriter with six keys (one for each braille dot), plus space, backspace, and carriage return. The most famous model is the Perkins Brailler.

Then there are High‑tech braille writing machines these are Electronic Braille Keyboards.

These devices have keys arranged to type braille directly such as the Orbit Writer or the Hable. They can be used with smartphones, tablets, or computers.

Electronic Braille Notetakers

These are all‑in‑one devices combining a braille keyboard, refreshable braille display, and speech output. They are used for word processing, email, web browsing, and classroom note‑taking.

Refreshable Braille Displays

This is not for embossing paper, but for writing digitally in braille. It has pins that rise and fall to show braille characters from a computer or phone.

There are also Machines that print braille

Braille Embossers (Braille Printers)

This converts digital text into raised braille dots on thick paper. It can be used in schools, libraries, and transcription centres.

There is also Braille Translation Software which is used with embossers, and converts print text into braille before printing.

 

Giant Huntsman Spider

 

This week I am writing about another spider this time we are looking at the giant huntsman spider this is a very large species of huntsman spider.

It’s famous because it has the largest leg span of any known spider, reaching about 25–30 cm — roughly the size of a dinner plate. Its body is much smaller, around 4.6 cm long.

This spider can be found mainly in Laos, especially in caves and cave-like habitats. It was formally described in 2001 by German arachnologist Peter Jäger after being found in a cave. It is not found in Australia even though Australia does have large huntsman spiders.

It’s yellowish-brown with long, sideways-facing legs, giving it a crab-like stance. Huntsman spiders are built for speed rather than web-building.

When it comes to their food it eats insects and may also take small vertebrates such as small reptiles or rodents, which is why they actively chases prey which is different to normal web-spinning spiders.

Despite its size, it is not considered dangerous to humans. A bite would usually be defensive and is generally described as causing mild symptoms rather than serious harm.

So even though it looks terrifying because of its huge legs and speed, because it’s a reclusive cave-dwelling predator not found in a lot of places it isn’t regarded as a serious threat to people.

 

Week 27 of 2026

 

I had a good night sleep around 9hrs, and I was up at 4.30am, at that time it was 10c or 50f.

I went for a walk at 6.45am it was a longer walk as I got home at 7.30am.

By 9am it is 12c or 53.6f, around 10.30am I had to turn the heater on for a bit as the cold room was giving me a headache.

Steps: 8,137 = 4k’s or 2.5miles

I had a decent night sleep was awake and up at 4.30am, it is 11c or 52f at 5am.

Sue and I had Dr appointments, after which we went to Big W looking for long sleeve tops and leggings, I bought two tops and one pair of leggings, Sue bought two tops and two pair of leggings.

Tim is off today and said he is catching the bus into the courthouse he wants to try and get out of jury duty.

He was successful in getting out of jury duty, so he is happier.

This afternoon he has been working on ramps for the trailer, one is done the other will have to wait till his next day off.

Steps: 5,710 = 2.8k’s or 1.7miles

I slept well managed around 7.5hrs of sleep, I was up at 4.20am, Tim is working all day.

It is 11c or 52f at 5am.

I only walked around the driveway today as I was waiting for Woolies grocery delivery.

The day has warmed up.

I washed the ramp out the front and got the bottom of my pants got wet.

I was surprised when Tasha arrived at 6.30pm to help me get ready for bed, I was already in my nightie but had her moisturise my feet and put socks on me.

Steps: 8,613 = 4.3k’s or 2.6 miles

I slept well managed around 7.5hrs of sleep, I was up at 4.20am, it is 11c or 52f at 5am.

Tim got up at 6.30am and will be working most of the day.

I did the usual housework and went for my walk and even though I was exhausted when I got home, I felt good.

It warmed up during the middle of the day. Reaching around 19c or 66f.

Steps: 7,236 = 3.6k’s or 2.1miles 

I slept well managed around 8hrs of sleep, I was up at 4.20am, it is 11c or 52f at 5am.

After my shower I had to do another load of washing as during the cold months Tim wears 3 shirts under his work shirt.

I didn’t go for a walk due to it being cold and wet outside and after I had hung the washing up to dry, I just didn’t feel like going for a walk.

I did manage to answer 3 letters and sweep out the front and vacuum twice.

Steps: 5,643 = 2.8k’s or 1.7 miles

I slept well managed around 8hrs of sleep, yet again. I was up at 4.20am, it is 11c or 52f at 5am.

I went for a walk and did the usual housework after which I was exhausted

Sue and I had planned to visit Dave, but he texted Sue saying he was going out.

Tim worked this morning but has; nothing else for the rest of the day.

So, he was outside working on ramps for his trailer for the rest of the day.

It turned out to be a warm day more like spring then winter.

Steps: 8,337 = 4.2k’s or 2.6miles

I slept for around 10hrs and within an hour of getting up I felt tired again. heI found Tim asleep on the lounge, he said he felt too tired to go to bed, so he just slept where he was.

It was 10c or 50f at 5am

I went for my walk but had to cut it short due to finding it hard to keep my eyes open. After getting home I put my feet up and closed my eyes for 20 minutes.

At 8am it was still 10c.

Tim has gone to Jessica’s to help her with some minor repairs to her house.

The day warmed up to 20c or 68f

He arrived home around 2.30pm and went outside to repair something on the trailer that broke on his way to Jess’s.

Around 5pm I started to cough a lot and felt tight chested, so I applied some chest rub around 6pm to see if it helps. It is helping.

Steps:7,978 = 4.3k’s or 2.6miles

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday America

 

Hello everyone, he is Australia it is the 4th of July and that it is Independence Day in the USA. So, todays post is some random facts about the date.

The independence vote happened on the 2 July, not the 4^th. The Continental Congress voted for independence on 2 July 1776, but the Declaration of Independence was formally adopted on 4 July, which became the famous date.

John Adams thought Americans were celebrating on the wrong day. He believed the 2 July should be the big national holiday and reportedly refused some 4 July celebrations because of it.

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration’s adoption.

The Liberty Bell is tapped, not rung, every 4 July it is tapped 13 times in honour of the original 13 colonies.

Only 1 president was born on the 4 July that was Calvin Coolidge, he was born on 4 July 1872, making his birthday unusually patriotic.

Abraham Lincoln is generally considered the country’s greatest president.

James Buchanan is generally considered the country’s worst president.

Donald Trump is the only president to have a criminal record

July Awareness

 

This morning I was visiting Melinda who had a post about July awareness she can be found here:https://lookingforthelight.blog/2026/07/02/july-2026-awareness-months-you-need-to-know/

So, I decided to do a similar post, so in Australia the big thing is Dry July which is A national campaign encouraging Australians to give up alcohol for the month to support adults living with cancer.

We also have JulEYE this is run by RANZCO’s Eye Foundation, promoting eye health and encouraging Australians to get their eyes tested.

July also has several awareness weeks they are listed here:

Kidney Action Week (1–7 July) — Raises awareness of kidney disease and encourages people to take a 2‑minute risk test.

National Diabetes Week (12–18 July) — Focuses on early detection and treatment of diabetes.

Birth Trauma Awareness Week (13–19 July) — Supports people affected by birth‑related trauma.

National Pain Week (26–31 July) — Highlights the needs of Australians living with chronic pain.

DonateLife Week (26 July – 2 August) — Promotes organ and tissue donation. 

Time for some links

 

My post with links to other posts and a few photos as well

https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2026/07/sharing-my-world.html

https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2026/07/a-happy-hodgepodge.html

https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2026/06/sharing-my-world_01900738764.html

https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2026/06/sunday-stealing.html

https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2026/06/friday-fill-in-on-sunday.html

https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2026/07/tuesday-4.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Happiness

 

There is a quiet kind of happiness found in time spent with family. It lives in the familiar voices around the table, the shared laughter over small memories, and the comfort of being with people who know your story. Family time does not always need to be grand or carefully planned; often, its greatest joy comes from simple moments—cooking together, walking side by side, watching a favourite movie, or sitting in easy conversation at the end of a long day.

These moments remind us that love is built through presence. In a busy world, choosing to pause and be together becomes a gift. Family gives ordinary time a sense of belonging, turning everyday experiences into memories that stay with us. Whether the room is full of noise or wrapped in calm, being with family can make life feel warmer, steadier, and more meaningful.