My Friend Max

In Fond Memory

of my best friend of 45 years

Max Braganza

Grieving the loss of our best friend Max Braganza (ex Dubai) who passed away peacefully today, 29th July 2016, in Gretna, New Orleans, USA.  He was a wonderful, generous, kind and loving friend.  He will be missed dearly.

REST IN ETERNAL PEACE

It takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, and a day to love them, but it takes an entire lifetime to forget them. ~ Author unknown

Flying into the Sunset

Flying into the Sunset

at Caledon, Ontario.

Man must rise above the Earth—to the top of the atmosphere and beyond—for only thus will he fully understand the world in which he lives.

— Socrates

Water Fountain Rainbow - Barrie, Ontario

“There is no envy, jealousy, or hatred between the different colors of the rainbow. And no fear either. Because each one exists to make the others’ love more beautiful.” 

 ~ Aberjhani ~

Dahlia to sing at Markham Jazz Festival, Markham, Ontario.

So excited to hear that my daughter Dahlia will be performing at the TD Markham Jazz Festival Sat, Aug 20th from 1-4pm !!!

 Hot Spot location right near

Old Firehall Confectionery in Unionville!!

Tony & Edna on Radio Mango Toronto

https://www.facebook.com/RadioMangoToronto/photos/a.304685002968774.59595.283273358443272/473841732719766/?type=3&theater

Guirim-ville

Guirim-ville

Should ever I go back to Guirim-ville,...

It would be in the spring when marigolds bloom,

Oh, the hibiscus I know would still be there,

And the garden rose would brighten up the gloom.

Should ever I go back to Guirim-ville,

One thing is sure I'd not be seventeen,

As a young lad when I played there in the field,

But memories stay with me I can’t conceal.

How fresh the memory keeps for still I feel,

The falling monsoon rain and lush green fields,

And see again the fireflies in the night,

As I did so long ago when I was there.

Dreams of youth in that now distant day,

I did not heed, my heart did not reveal,

And now I know that I’m far away from home,

Far away from that old cottage at Guirim-ville.

In search of work to a far and distant shore,

Left my folks there so long ago,

Though I've sailed far from that sun-drenched land,

I've never found what I have left behind.

Oh the memories of my carefree and playful youth,

Is now but ashes and only fond memories dwell,

Time heals all wounds they say, but leaves the scar,

But I think I'll still go back to Guirim-ville.

Time heals all wounds they say, but leaves the scar,

Yet I think I'll still go back to Guirim-ville,

Yes I think I'll still go back to Guirim-ville

Gorgeous Day in Mississauga

 

Brookings Sunset on the California West Coast, Oregon,

Watching a sunset reminds us of the night

that lies before us,

and the Creator of Night and Day.

Sunset at Turtlepoint, Beaver Lake, Tamworth, Ontario

Sunset at Turtlepoint Cottage,

Beaver Lake,

Tamworth, Ontario

~ SUN'S TRIPLETS ~ 'On the Wings of the Wind'

~ SUN'S TRIPLETS ~

 'On the Wings of the Wind'

 of our flight to Toronto from Medford

via San Francisco after a brief vacation.

Triple Rays from the Heavens

Rays of the sun from serene heavens peek through a narrow crevice in the dense clouds bringing to a close a long and wonderful day, while we fly high above on our way to Toronto from Medford via San Francisco after a brief vacation - a visit to Brookings, Klamath, Crater Lake, Ashland, Jacksonville and most of all, the highlight of it all - attending Dave and Lori's wedding in Medford.

http://yourshot.nationalgeographic.com/photos/8602336/

Fisher Lake, Kearney, Ontario

Country tranquility with total relaxation: Calm lake-side, bright skies, blue waters, peaceful vistas, serene sunsets, glorious wilderness.

Located in the heart of Ontario’s magical cottage country,crystal clear Fisher Lake is located near Algonquin Park. The freshwater lake is fed by five separate springs. Some properties there feature safe sandy beaches with a shallow incline. Ideal for canoeing. Graceful shoreline. Private natural forests with hiking trails and beaver ponds. Just three hours north of Toronto, the town of Kearney is ten minutes away from Fisher Lake and features shopping, grocery store, liquor and beer store.

Sorry for the Delay - The wait will be worth it!

Sorry for the Delay - The wait will be worth it!

COLCHESTER HARBOUR

Lake Erie

ESSEX COUNTY

South Ontario

Fleeting Sunset

“Sunsets, like childhood, are viewed with wonder

not just because they are beautiful,

but because they are fleeting.”

― Richard Paul Evans, The Gift

Rogue River Valley, Oregon

Rogue River, Oregon, USA

Drive along the winding Rogue River under blue skies, gorgeous sun and green forest on HW199 from Brookings to Medford in Oregon, at Rogue Valley.

Mount McLoughlin from Highway 15

View of Mount McLoughlin from Highway 15

Photo taken on Highway 15 near Gold Hill along the Rogue River from Brookings as we get closer to the outskirts of the city of Medford on our long drive from Brookings with Shawn at the wheel and Denise as coordinator/navigator.

http://yourshot.nationalgeographic.com/photos/8663532/

Mount McLoughlin from Crater Lake

Mount McLoughlin from Crater Lake

Mount McLoughlin is a steep-sided lava cone built on top of a composite volcano in the Cascade Range of southern Oregon and within the Sky Lakes Wilderness. It is one of the volcanic peaks in the Cascade Volcanic Arc. The mountain is north of Mount Shasta, south of Crater Lake, and west of Upper Klamath Lake.

http://yourshot.nationalgeographic.com/photos/8663532/

Flowers Everywhere

FLOWERS EVERYWHERE

The more often we see the things around us - even the beautiful and wonderful things - the more they become invisible to us. That is why we often take for granted the beauty of this world: the flowers, the trees, the birds, the clouds - even those we love. Because we see things so often, we see them less and less.

~Joseph B. Wirthlin ~

By the Riverside Wharf, Pomburpa, Goa, India - Memories older than the drawing

Riverside Wharf - Pomburpa, Bardez, Goa - India

Water colours on woven pearchment paper 

by  Tony Fernandes

9th August 1979

Memories older than the drawing

When I was a young lad, during my summer school holidays, my father would take me everywhere - to old and new places to see and explore, to the beach, to the market place every day to buy fresh fish and groceries, to my favourite restaurant in town for ice-cream and 'falooda' (is a cold dessert popular in the Indian subcontinent), to the hills for walks, picking 'canttam' (a berry-like black-coloured local fruit found wild on Goa's hills) and cashews, to the lakes and springs for picnics, church and chapel feasts and to nearby streams for a swim. My father had made for me my very own first mini 'robond' (a locally-made catapult, which children would play with in Goa, made from a v-shaped tree branch and waste automobile or cycle tubes, also known locally as 'catty'). He would take me along fishing to the salt-water river, for football games in the nearby town, and to distant places visiting friends and relatives, by bus, taxi, canoe and ferry, all of which I had enjoyed immensely.

Lord Jesus Heal Me with Your Precious Blood

Lord Jesus heal me by your wounds

and precious blood.

Thank you Jesus
Praise you Jesus.
Amen!

Heavenly Father, 

I call on you right now in a special way.

It is through your power that I was created.

Every breath I take,

every morning I wake,

and every moment of every hour,

I live under your power.

Father, I ask you now to touch me

 with that same power.

For if you created me from nothing,

you can certainly recreate me.

Fill me with the healing power of your spirit.

Cast out anything that should not be in me.

Mend what is broken.

Root out any unproductive cells.

Open any blocked arteries or veins and

rebuild any damaged areas.

Remove all inflammation

 and cleanse any infection.

Let the warmth of your healing

love pass through my body

to make new any unhealthy areas

so that my body will function

the way you created it to function.

And Father, restore me to full health

in mind and body so that I may serve you

the rest of my life.

I ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Wood-burning (Pyrographic Drawing) by Tony Fernandes
(Tonferns Creations)
'ECCE HOMO' (Behold the Man)
To know more about Ecce Homo, pleae click on the following link:
http://tonferns.blogspot.ca/2009/07/behold-man.html

Fr. Godwin Lobo - My classmate and friend of long ago

REST IN ETERNAL PEACE

FR. GODWIN LOBO

~ Friar of our times ~

Great scholar and orator,

clear and precise preacher,

adventurous, dedicated,

humble social worker,
active with Indian Red Cross Society - Goa,
one of the finest human beings,

a good friend and helpful classmate.

His passing away has definitely left a void in the hearts of the people

not only of Yecora in Sonora, Mexico - a Mission he held dear and close to his own heart - but also deeply in the hearts of his classmates, students, teachers, Fathers, Brothers, friends from all walks of life and all those who have heard him deliver beautiful, meaningful and simple Sunday homilies at Mass which were a joy to listen to. 

Memories and nostalgia, views and thoughts

  Memories and nostalgia, views and thoughts           

             This blog serves as a time capsule of some of my life-long memories. It speaks of friendship, memories, nostalgia, views and thoughts of our past, and of the blissful or sad days gone by.

             I hope that visitors to this blog will enjoy viewing my photos, my art and the collection of articles, and appreciate at least some of them as much as I enjoyed writing them. Sincere thanks for your genuine comments, appreciation and support over the years.

Criticism

Criticism

Criticism - do not mind
For there cannot always be those who admire
As much as they are some folks kind 
There are also those who ignite the fire.

Take no offence
Rather be thankful to those who took
the time to admire the memories captured
as vividly as one could in any humble book.

Criticism breeds perspective
It is one's own opinion, however perceptive
It should not destroy one's ego or action
as in fact it gives rise to perfection.
Sadistic criticism gives the roving self-proclaimed,
self-acclaimed journo a probable high to this gratification.

Some view well in advance to show no mercy
and then make it their motto to criticise,
and as they find no fault in the writing after reading,
they take the time in complaining about the book's binding.

Mumbai to Goa - A Memorable Train Journey - Travel on the Konkan Railway

Mumbai to Goa

 - A Memorable Train Journey -

 Travel on the Konkan Railway

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFwf0DmLAM4

Marching Orders

Marching Orders! Left,..left... left/right/left!

My grand-daughter Anya gives marching orders to the roosters over the Canada Day Weekend at the 'Double H' Farm, Erinsville, Ontario.

Clouds may have silver lining, but they can store data too!

Once upon a time the saying went 'Every cloud has a silver lining',

but in modern times "the 'cloud' can store a lot of data"!

(Pic and caption by TonFerns - Beaver Lake, Tamworth, Ontario.)

ONE DAY AT A TIME

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKJFitllmj8

ONE DAY AT A TIME, SWEET JESUS

(Marijohn Wilkins / Kris Kristofferson)

I'm only human, I'm just a man/woman

Help me believe in what I could be

And all that I am

Show me the stairway I have to climb

Lord for my sake, help me to take

One day at a time

One day at a time sweet Jesus

That's all I'm askin' of you

Just give me the strength

To do every day what I have to do

Yesterday's gone sweet Jesus

And tomorrow may never be mine

Lord, help me today, show me the way

One day at a time

Do you remember, when you walked among men

Well Jesus you know if you're looking below

It's worse now, than then

Cheating and stealing, violence and crime

So for my sake, teach me to take

One day at a time

One day at a time sweet Jesus

That's all I'm askin' of you

Just give me the strength

To do every day what I have to do

Yesterday's gone sweet Jesus

And tomorrow may never be mine

Lord, help me today, show me the way

One day at a time

++++++++++

ALTERNATE 2nd VERSE:

Do you remember when you walked among men

Well Jesus you know

If you're lookin' below, it's worse now than then

Pushin' and shovin' and crowdin' my mind

So for my sake, teach me to take

One day at a time

Marilyn Sellars - 1974

Roy Drusky - 1974

Judy Lynn - 1975

Wanda Jackson - 1976

Gloria - 1977

George Hamilton IV - 1978

Lena Martell - 1979

Cristy Lane - 1980

Merle Haggard - 1981

Also recorded by:

Floyd Cramer; Bill Gaither; Don Gibson; Kitty Wells;

The Alexander Brothers; Judy Collins; Phil Coulter;

Florida Boys; Tennessee Ernie Ford; Foster & Allen;

Arthur Greenslade; Daniel O'Donnell; Carlene Davis;

Lee Greenwood; Owen Gray; Sharon Hardman.

The Journey

 

Summarizing our own mortality
while we grieve for our loved ones,
at times we comfort those who have lost theirs,
 but have to contend with the fact
that we might leave others
to grieve for us when our days on earth are done.

THE JOURNEY

A poem by Tony Fernandes

When the final summons

Beckons at my door

To leave for another shore

I know it’s God’s call I can’t ignore.

It will be my life’s journey’s end,

Sudden and abrupt

Unannounced and undecided

I will have to leave in haste.

This departure I cannot

Adjourn, defer or halt

No luggage to cart

No time to prepare

Or say good-bye

Before I acknowledge

My final roll call.

Today I lament for loved ones

That I have lost long ago

But in turn will have to obey God’s command

When I have served my tenure and

And my time on earth is done.

Let me therefore do good,

Pardon my friend or foe

For it may be too late to do so

When God knocks on my door

And I am unable to look back

I have got to go.

When I am gone

My friends and family

May in turn

Grieve in pain and sorrow

And remorse so deep

So help me God to be good to others today

In what ever I do or say

So that I may be remembered

when the chapel bells toll tomorrow.

From up above I will only silently see

Unable to communicate or respond

Direct , guide or tell

But perhaps I could only wish

And hope there is at least one good thing

That I will be remembered by

If at all.

All Jokes Aside

MISGUIDED VISITOR

We’ve been doing Arts & Crafts Shows all over Ontario for over a decade now. But one visitor at a high-end juried craft show had this to say: “I haven’t seen you guys here before, and hey what am I saying, but then I don’t come here every year anyway. Or, maybe you were so swarmed with people that I didn’t see your booth.” I had nothing to say.

All Jokes Aside

BAD EYESIGHT

 A lady walks in my friend’s booth and tries about 40 hats in 40 minutes, looking at herself in the mirror at every try. Finally, she settles for the lowest priced scarf instead of a hat, saying that had it not been for her bad eye-sight she would have even tried some more hats.

My Happiness - Tunes of long ago

Golden Era of Short-wave Radio

Sometimes it just makes me so happy and nostalgic to reminisce about Radio Ceylon which has had a profound impact on my childhood and teenage years, and has also greatly influenced my musical taste and background.

This radio station was very much a part of our household during that golden era of short-wave radio and helped in maintaining a very happy atmosphere in the house and in the village.

In the late 1950's and early 1960's very few houses had radios in our village in Goa. Fortunately we had a radio too - and our neighbours came over to listen to the evening's live request programme as the sun went down, thereby maintaining a friendly atmosphere and a tight social fabric.

One of the famous singers of those years was Connie Francis and her songs received extensive airplay. One favourite tune of that era was 'My Happiness' that matched the evening shadows.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJZy8kNbxp0

Pictures with Stories

Every picture

 has a background story to tell.

on Google by

Tony Fernandes

1. To view pictures please click on the link below

http://bit.ly/KKYtmK.

2. Every picture you click takes you to an article on my blog.

3. Click on picture to read article
related to the picture.

The Clamour of Typewriters

asdf ;lkj
and
The Clamour of Typewriters

The Clamour of Typewriters

&

ASDF ;lkj

During the late 1950's and early 1960's 'Typewriting' was considered as a subject that any student at St. Anthony's High School, Monte de Guirim, Bardez, Goa, could appear in the Secondary School Certificate Examinations.

Although the minimum number of subjects required was seven, one could appear in additional subjects as well. Many students took 'Typewriting' to increase the passing average marks, while others did it to opt out of Hindi or Math as a subject for SSCE.

The typing classroom was located behind the Laboratory, next to the Headmaster's Office. A well-thought out timing was arranged to meet with this additional facility for students. It would be very disturbing if the type-writing classes were held during regular class hours. So the typing classes were held during the afternoon lunch break as 10 to 12 students who went on practicing, created a clamour, a loud clatter that could be heard some distance away, as if each one was trying to outdo the other student. 

The vintage typewriters of the era were manual and quite unique in their appearance than the later electric models. It was a  wonderful and innovative machine of its time. The most popular brands were the 'Remington' and 'Underwood' which were provided by the school. A mechanic also visited the school to repair the typewriters that sometimes broke down. One could also use one's personal or private typewriter to learn or practice.

Among the various keys of the Underwood typewriter that I remember, the most remarkable keys that were larger than the all the others were the 'shift' keys on the both ends of the keyboard. These keys needed little more pressure to hold down by 'pinkie' fingers.

Typewriter ribbons came wound on metal or plastic spools. The eyelets on either end of the ribbons, automatically reversed the ribbon. They were available in black or dual red/black split combinations. Almost all manual typewriters used half-inch-wide ribbons. 'Black only' ribbons were not discarded when the ink got lighter as they could be re-inked and re-used. Every typewriter had one main ribbon and one take-up spool. New ribbons were available in stationery shops like Bhobe's in Mapusa town.

In the March 1964 batch of students taking Typewriting as a subject in SSCE Exams, Poona Board, carried the typewriters on their laps in the transport provided by the school to St. Britto’s High School, which was the Examination Center for North Goa, chosen by the Board. 


An average typing speed is between 38 and 40 words per minute or roughly between 190 and 200 characters per minute. However, professional typists type a lot faster on average - upwards of 65 to 75 WPM.

For starters, the first letters that one typed were: asdf;lkj and then proceeding to the upper and lower keys, as prescribed in the course, by maintaining the starter keys asdf;lkj as the home keys at all times. The timeless phrase "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" was one of the first sentences used in practice as it contains all of the letters of the alphabet.

All Jokes Aside

TO EACH HIS OWN

 

An apparently keen customer, after visiting our booth, had thefollowing to say before his departure:

 

“ I’ll tell you this, I love pickles, but I’m trying to make my own.”

All Jokes Aside

COMPETITOR PRETENDING/POSING AS A SECRET ADMIRER!

One who loves your product, but admires it standing far away from your booth while pretending to look the other way.

All Jokes Aside

LONG WAIT! CLEVER BUYER!

YESTERDAY (First day of Craft Show).

Customer after trying several samples goes:

“Are you here tomorrow?  I live in this neighbourhood you know?

ME:  Not sure. I live in Caledon you know? 57 km away.

CUST:  Do you do credit?

ME:  Yes, we do.

CUST:  On second thought, I prefer to pay cash.
           See you tomorrow then?

ME:  May be. Not sure.

Customer leaves.

TODAY: (The 2nd and final day of the show). The show is closed. I’ve torn down the booth. I'm ready to leave. The customer from the neighbourhood with the second thought of paying by cash hasn't shown up yet.

El Patriarca, Cuba.

Hotel Ocean Varadero El Patriarca, Cuba.

Our memorable holiday retreat of February 2015.

Evening Skies at Caledon, Ontario - Canada