Picturesque Goa

Picturesque Goa
NOSTALGIA - Articles,Poems & Photos

TONFERNS CREATIONS

TONFERNS CREATIONS
TONFERNS CREATIONS - Tony's Art & Hobbies

Saturday, December 24, 2016

Friday, December 23, 2016

Season's Greetings


Season's Greetings
and a Happy,
Prosperous
and Peaceful New Year
to all my fans
of TonFerns Creations.

Thank you for your likes and comments.

 (Picture: 'TonFerns Faux Stained
 Glass Creation for you')

Monday, December 19, 2016


Palacio do Governador Geral.
Governor General's Palace, Panjim, Goa. India

http://www.itsgoa.com/manuel-antonio-vassalo-e-silva-the-guy-who-didnt-burn-goa/

The Portuguese soldiers had probably left the previous night on the orders of the Governor-General Manuel António Vassalo e Silva. He was subsequently considered to be a wise man in ordering a retreat and a surrender that followed.

http://tonferns.blogspot.ca/2010/12/blog-post_19.html

Saturday, December 17, 2016

Cribs over the years


With all good wishes for a

Merry Christmas

and a

Peaceful and Happy
New Year 2017.

Harmonica performed
by Tony Fernandes.
Video features most of his cribs
 made over the years from 1970 to 2013.

Tuesday, December 13, 2016


Mamacita! I was a 12 year old kid when 12-year-old Augie Rios had a hit with the Christmas song 'Mamacita' in 1959 which featured the Mark Jeffrey Orchestra. Years later I played it for my kids over many Christmases that went by. Now my son Denzil and my daughter-in-law Kate play the same song for their little son - my lovely grandson Ari who loves it too. 

Thursday, December 08, 2016

Hail Mary, Full of Grace...



Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate is a Roman Catholic minor basilica and parish church located in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. A Gothic Revival style building designed by Joseph Connolly. It is considered Connolly's best work.





Tuesday, December 06, 2016

Princes' Gates



The Princes' Gates is a triumphal
 arch monumental gateway at
Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.





Saturday, December 03, 2016

FEAST DAY OF ST. FRANCIS XAVIER

St. Francis Xavier

Today is the feast of St. Francis Xavier, Apostle to the Far East. His mortal remains lie in the
Basilica of Bom Jesus or Basilica of Good Jesus (Portuguese: Basílica do Bom Jesus) in Goa, India, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The church is located in Old Goa, which was the capital of Goa in the early days of Portuguese rule. 
'Bom Jesus' (literally, 'Good (or Holy) Jesus') is the name used for the infant Jesus. The Jesuit church is India’s first minor basilica, and is considered to be one of the best examples of baroque architecture in India. (Wikipedia) Francis Xavier, born Francisco de Jasso y Azpilicueta (7 April 1506 – 3 December 1552) was a pioneering Roman Catholic missionary born in the Kingdom of Navarre (Spain) and co-founder of the Society of Jesus. He was a student of Saint Ignatius of Loyola and one of the first seven Jesuits who dedicated themselves to the service of God at Montmartre in 1534.[1] He led an extensive mission into Asia, mainly in the Portuguese Empire of the time. He was influential in the spreading and upkeep of Catholicism most notably in India, but also ventured into Japan, Borneo, the Moluccas, and other areas which had thus far not been visited by Christian missionaries. In these areas, being a pioneer and struggling to learn the local languages in the face of opposition, he had less success than he had enjoyed in India.

Saint Francis Xavier was one of the founding members of the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits.

 Basilica of Bom Jesus—Old Goa (Goa Velha)
The body of St. Francis Xavier, Patron Saint of Goa, 
is enshrined here.

 Se Cathedral, Old Goa


Se Cathedral—Main Door Façade, Old Goa



Monday, November 21, 2016

Ottawa by Night


Ottawa By Night
View of the Parliament Buildings and surroundings
from Mackenzie King Bridge over the Rideau Canal.
~ TonFerns Photo ~

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Monday, November 14, 2016

Supermoon Photos by TonFerns



Apparently, it is the most spectacular supermoon since 1948 lit up the sky, appearing bigger and brighter than usual.

According to astronomers, the moon came closer to Earth than it has done for 69 years.  It happens at the point in the orbit of the moon at which it is nearest to the earth, otherwise known as perigee.

It is believed that nothing will match it until the moon makes a similar approach on November 25 2034.

Friday, November 11, 2016

Dedication to Leonard Cohen

Here's a tune that I've always loved to play on the harmonica in my own humble amateur way. It's none other than 'Hallelujah' which I dedicate to the great Canadian Leonard Cohen, singer, songwriter, poet and novelist who sadly passed away today at 82. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Image result for hohner harmonica

Echo Harp in the Key of C & G.
 It's a double harmonica with 32 double holes,
 stainless steel covers, and brass reed plates
I've had it for over 40 years.

Please click on the link below to listen.




In Flanders Fields


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IN FLANDERS FIELDS POEM
The World’s Most Famous WAR MEMORIAL POEM
By Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae

Lieutenant Colonel John McCraeIn Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks still bravely singing fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead: Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved: and now we lie
In Flanders fields!

Take up our quarrel with the foe
To you, from failing hands, we throw
The torch: be yours to hold it high
If ye break faith with us who die,
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields

Composed at the battlefront on May 3, 1915
during the second battle of Ypres, Belgium

Wednesday, November 02, 2016

All Souls Day

"
The faithful departed lead us to a closer relationship with God,
which is the ultimate goal of the saints.

Saturday, October 29, 2016

HAPPY DIWALI


'PONTTI' - Crayon drawing by 'TonFerns'. Known locally in Goa as 'pontti', it is a lamp made out of red clay, average size about 3"x2". Extensively used during Diwali festivities. Arrays of such lamps lit 'en masse' seen on balconies and courtyards of homes, albeit replaced with miniature LED lights in modern times. Traditionally, this type of lamp is lit mainly as a religious offering using coconut oil with a cotton wick in Hindu and Christian homes alike.

Friday, October 28, 2016

Why Me Lord

Why ME Lord

Why me Lord, what have I ever done
To deserve even one
Of the pleasures I've known
Tell me Lord, what did I ever do
That was worth loving you
Or the kindness you've shown.
Lord help me Jesus, I've wasted it so
Help me Jesus I know what I am
Now that I know that I've need you so
Help me Jesus, my soul's in your hand.
Tell me Lord, if you think there's a way
I can try to repay
All I've taken from you
Maybe Lord, I can show someone else
What I've been through myself
On my way back to you.
Lord help me Jesus, I've wasted it so
Help me Jesus I know what I am
Now that I know that I've need you so

Help me Jesus, my soul's in your hand.