Picturesque Goa

Picturesque Goa
NOSTALGIA - Articles,Poems & Photos

TONFERNS CREATIONS

TONFERNS CREATIONS
TONFERNS CREATIONS - Tony's Art & Hobbies

Thursday, July 31, 2014

50th Anniversary of the death of Jim Reeves - A popular singer of my teens

Jim Reeves.jpg


50th Anniversary of the death of Jim Reeves
- A popular singer of my teens


James Travis "Jim" Reeves (August 20, 1923 – July 31, 1964) was an American country and popular music singer-songwriter. With records charting from the 1950s to the 1980s, he became well known as a practitioner of the Nashville sound (a mixture of older country-style music with elements of popular music). Known as "Gentleman Jim", his songs continued to chart for years after his death. Reeves died in the crash of a private airplane. He is a member of both the Country Music and Texas Country Music Halls of Fame.

WOODEN ART BY THE HIGHWAY - THE BURL GALLERY - Oregon, USA


After having spent 3 days visiting Brookings on the west coast of Oregon and seeing the Klamath Trees of Mystery in California, it was a long drive back to Medford. 


Somewhere midway along Highway 199 from Brookings and Medford, one cannot miss a rustic yard of pure woodland fantasy. It is simply an amazing place to stop by and see some of the phenomenal stuff. 


It is called The Burl Gallery and is located at 24025 Redwood Highway in Kerbyville, Oregon - a former gold mining town south of Grants Pass.Unassuming at first sight it is a paradise for a wood-sculptor and collector alike with artistic and intricate wood-carvings in every theme, shape and size, laboriously carved out from trees. After browsing through the various works of art sprawled over a large area, and taking a short break from the long drive from Brookings, we were back on the road to Medford.


Thanks to Shawn and Denise for this wonderful trip.

To view this and other locations and 'TonFerns Photos' in Google Maps please click on the following links:

http://www.panoramio.com/user/4694906












Wednesday, July 30, 2014

CAPELLA BY THE SEA - Brookings, Oregon


Capella by the Sea





Azalea Park
Band shell at Azalea Park at Brookings
California West Coast at Brookings

Located in beautiful Azalea Park, the unique Capella by the Sea provides the perfect, intimate setting for weddings, vow renewals, christenings, memorial services and other small ceremonies.  Filled with light and constructed with native wood and stone, the rustic, yet quietly elegant "Capella" offers scenic views of the Port of Brookings-Harbor, Chetco River, and Pacific Ocean, in serene, wooded surroundings.

Built in memory of his beloved wife, Lorraine, Elmo WIlliams donated the Capella to the City in 2009. "It is my hope," Elmo said, "that all who enter here will know the serenity of her spirit and find peace".  Inspired by the work of famous architect, E. Fay Jones, the one-of-a-kind Capella was designed by Jones' associates, architects Maurice Jennings and David McKee, and constructed by local builders Paul Viale, Rich Miller, Mike Owens and mason, Don Scoggins. 


Monday, July 28, 2014

Guildwood Park - Scarborough - Ontario

Guildwood Park, located on the edge of the Scarborough Bluffs, has a unique and interesting history. A cabin constructed in 1795 still stands on the Guild Inn property. General Harold Bickford built the central building in 1914. Spencer and Rosa Clark purchased the 36-hectare estate in 1932 and established the “Guild of all Arts,” a rent-free colony for more than 100 craftsmen and their families. Extensive facilities allowed artisans and apprentices to work in a number of mediums from sculpture to painting to ceramics. Greek Style Colonnade, Scarborough, On. The Gardens and Greek Theatre at The Guild Inn was home to the award-winning theatre company, Cliffhanger Productions, which specialized in adaptations of world mythology for family audiences. The Greek Stage at Guild Park hosts Guild Festival Theatre's annual productions of classic stage plays


Edna Fernandes of Edna's Pickles fame, made its debut last week at this vibrant and exuberant festival.

Visitors can enjoy fountains and sculpture gardens decorated with interesting architectural remnants and a promenade leading to the Scarborough Bluffs, all of which is surrounded by the mature forest of Guildwood Park.


Notable features include the woodland area west of Guild Inn that contain mature forest and pleasant walking trails, although there are no bicycle trails. Historic stone sculptures and arches dot the Guild Inn grounds, open to the public and a popular place for wedding photographs. 




Colonnade of the Woods

Friday, July 25, 2014

Night Prayer in Konkani


A Night Prayer in Konkani

Growing up as a young boy in Goa, it was customary to recite the Rosary every night before supper in our family. Reciting the Holy Rosary in Konkani had a fixed time. Sometimes on Sundays when we missed reciting, my father would often jokingly say that it's the Lord's day of rest - and that He needs some rest from hearing prayers! The Rosary was usually recited at 8 pm when all family members gathered in the living room. Rather amusing interruptions by grandma in the middle of the rosary prayers with her quips like: "has the back door been latched?" or "has the chicken coop been closed?" often helped us to remain alert at least for a little while or put a smile on our sleepy young faces. 
Quip 1: (Konkani: Aago, pattlea dharak khilli gathlai mungo?)
English translatlion"has the back door been latched?"
Quip 2: (Konkani: Aago, kunkdank danklean mungo?)
"has the chicken coop been closed?)
(In the Konkani language the word 'Aago' is used in addressing a female and 'Aare' for a male)

Grandma kept a strict count of the beads of the Rosary, and had an immediate response if any 'Hail Mary' was missed with one single comment in an affirmative tone: 'One more remaining!'.

Leading into the third decade of the Rosary would be a difficult task for us to remain awake. It was expected of everyone to recite the prayers slowly and distinctly. Staying up for the entire Rosary at times was a great achievement for me. Trying to keep awake after an entire busy day at school and play was difficult. At most times it was my mother who led the prayers and recited the Mysteries and each family member or two together recited a decade, but as soon as my mother and father announced the prayer, 'Deu Bori Rath', I would then instantly be fully awake and happy it was about to get over. 

Invariably, somehow, the hooting by an owl nearby was a common occurrence at this time, and often rebuked with curt comment like 'go away you silly little bird' by my grandma as the Rosary was going on. After the completion of the Rosary all the kids lined up for receiving blessings from Mum and Dad, and Grandma.

In retrospect I am astonished about my ability in dozing off whilst kneeling during the prayers. It's a wonder how adept my siblings and myself were in maintaining our balance as we knelt, and at times how good our reflexes were in putting our arms forward in the nick of time thus preventing a hit to the ground!

This timeless and beautiful prayer is always said and usually led by the oldest person in the family or in village congregation at the end of a recited Rosary in homes or  a sung Litany in the village chapels. In homes it was then time for all young children to line up joining their hands to receive blessings from the elders. And everyone seemed happy. Of course! It was suppertime!

It is one of my favourite prayers of all time. The prayer has a deep meaning - a reflection and thanks for what has transpired in the day that one has been through, and asking the good Lord for a good and peaceful night.

It is hard for me to do justice in my humble attempt with an English translation of this beautiful prayer. However, I'll try:

Lord give us all
a good night;
good health to the living,
heaven to the dead;
This day we've fulfilled with grace
The night is upon us, lest we die,
Have mercy on us;
Lift your merciful hand
And bless us Lord.

(Art by Tony Fernandes)

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Lavender Festival - Niagara-on-the-Lake

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario


Hues of Lilac
Lavender Festival - Vast Lavender Fields - Lavender Galore - Lavender on the Lake, well, almost!