A LINE IN TIME - A Collection Drawings by Tony Fernandes (Tonferns Creations)

Tony Fernandes

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This book was published in September 2019.

It can be purchased through our website:

www.ednaspickles.com

Toronto Skyline as seen from Pirate's Cove, Jordan, Ontario

 

Lily Blooms _ Water Colours by Tonferns

 

Lily Blooms 

Water Colours by Tony Fernandes

 Sept.1991. Dubai. UAE.

Painting Size 16”x 10”.

Mississauga Sunset

 

Sunset of Hope

Trending in the skies just now in Mississauga. The sun could hide no longer. So it broke through the clouds to make us feel good. Trending in the skies just now in Mississauga. The sun could hide no longer. So it broke through the clouds to make us feel good. 

 

SUNSET OF HOPE

Power lines give me hope that there will be brightness into my home in the night, and the telephone lines will help me keep in touch with the outside world when the day is done and the night is upon us. The brightness of a glorious sunset is a precursor of a sunny and beautiful day tomorrow that we need to melt the snow on the rooftops and brighten up our mood after going through some days of loads of snow and dull skies.

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On a lighter musical note, Mississauga Birds use the lines as giant transparent notation sheets in the sky!  © TonFerns

The Tau Cross

 As I was going through a box of old photos, I came across a postcard with the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi that my friend had sent to my son from Assisi in Italy dated 18h April 1989. The prayer has a large ‘T’, which you may know, is the Greek alphabet ‘Tau’. It also represents the Greek Cross and a symbol adopted by St. Francis of Assisi and the order of the Franciscans Minor. Incidentally, this symbol adorns the outer wall of the visitors parlour attached to Chapel of St. Francis of Assisi at my Alma Mater - St. Anthony’s High School, Monte de Guirim,Bardez, Goa.

The Global Goan e-Magazine February 2021 Issue

The Global Goan- Vol 2 - Issue 2 - Feb 2021

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Bedford trucks hand-crafted models

 A replica based on the Bedford Tilt-cab Dumper Truck of England. Hand-crafted by Tony Fernandes from 1/8 inch plywood. Scale 1:24. Built on a separate 1/4 in. beam chassis, the cab is hinged on 1/8" dowel. The carrier is hinged at the rear with a retractable lift bar. Bedford trucks were quite popular in Goa during the 1950's and 1960's. There were various models used in the mining and construction sector. Many of these were privately owned as well. They were utilized for general purpose such as in transportation of laterite stones, bags of cement, fire-wood, tiles, gravel, sand and various other construction material. Some of them came with hydraulic dumpers and a forward tilt-cabs among others with two types of horns - one was an air-horn with a distinct loud sound for the mining area in addition to the one for use in normal driving in town. 

Hill-crest of Serenity

HILL-CREST OF SERENITY 

No vacations to Goa over the years are ever complete without a visit to the Chapel of St. Francis of Assisi, situated at the crest of the hill of my Alma Mater, St. Anthony's High School, Monte de Guirim in Bardez, Goa.

On a pleasant evening of my short vacation in Goa some years ago, fond memories of the days when I once walked up and down the verdant hill as a day-scholar from Guirim, keep gushing to my mind like watching an old movie filled with emotional vignettes of the past as I ride up on a scooter along the spiraling road up to the top of the hill. I notice some changes as time has passed by, like for instance the colourful 14 Stations of the Cross on the side of the road.

Then, as I arrive at the top, there is something very serene, a sense of solace that I have always found here since the time when I was a young boy studying at this fine, vibrant and well-known institution of its kind in Goa. The beautiful white Holy Cross stands tall in all its glory. Missing, though sadly, is the famous giant of a nunerca tree.

 ◦ There still prevails an aura of  something special and sentimental about this place that has remained undiminished over the years. Perhaps it is the silence, a certain stillness in the air, a feeling of comfort and peace at this crest that I embrace, reminiscing in abundant nostalgia on every visit. I am sure that many ex-students, teachers, Fathers and visitors alike have their own similar experiences of this nature to relate where time seems to stand still and a certain calm and tranquility prevails, as one is far away and high above the hustle and bustle of busy towns and crowded cities.

 ◦ There are many memories of my childhood and youth that I can connect with this place. First of all, the beautiful chapel of St. Francis of Assisi facing the vast expanse of fields, the villages of Saligao, Candolim, Calangute, Baga, Nagoa, Arpora, Parra, Verla, Canca, the Arabian Sea on the left and the range of verdant hills extending up to Arjuna on the right in the distance.

 ◦ The plateau in front of the chapel once served as a PT & drill area, Mission Sunday fete and various other festivities, reading at Retreats, or reading/studying under the shade of the famous 'nunerca' tree during the afternoon recess or perhaps at times just losing oneself in one own's thoughts, or simply admiring a beautiful sunset. As for me I could just sit here for hours in all its serenity.

During the early 1960's, it was on this top of the hill that students learned to play the violin, piano and guitar in the music room which was located besides the chapel, while on the red cement benches boys had singing sessions of popular songs of the time like 'Buttercup of Golden Hair' by Dean Martin, 'Besame Mucho' by Connie Francis, ‘Wooden Heart' and 'Surrender' by Elvis Presley during the afternoon recess.

It was also here that parents and guardians came to visit students in the boarding school during the afternoon recess in the parlour next to the music room.

These and other memories I still hold close to my heart. Time eventually passes by so quickly and the visit is short-lived as it is time to say 'Adeus' with a hope of visiting the serene and tranquil place once again in the future.

 ◦ Enjoying the beautiful panorama around me I notice that a lot of changes have taken place around the area over the years including a shrine dedicated to  Monte Friars who have passed away. There have also been a lot of beautiful changes that have been added to the beauty over the years to the hill-top, one of them being the shrine of the ‘St. Francis of Assisi & the Wolf’. I also noticed an addition to the external wall on the right side of Chapel at the old music room and visitors parlour - a large letter’T’ painted in burgundy, which you may know, is the Greek alphabet ‘Tau’ which represents the Greek Cross and a symbol adopted by St. Francis of Assisi and by the Order of the Franciscans Minor.

The sun is just a little above the horizon bidding adieu to yet another beautiful day.  And it's time, for me too, to say goodbye once more before I head for home as the bells toll for the Angelus. Reluctantly, I leave the hillock with hope that I will visit my Alma Mater again on my next visit to our beautiful Goa. 

Welcome 2021 - A New Dawn

 I wish all my FB friends and their family members a Happy New Year 2021. As we bid adieu to 2020 which has seen a pandemic with loss of loved ones before their time, sorrow and sadness in lives of people around the world, floods, hurricanes and other natural disasters, let us pray for Healthy and Safe 2021. And while we remain at home, let us poignantly reminisce in true old fashion of “Old Long Ago’ as we take time to re-kindle cherished memories, by giving a listen to my rendition of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ on the violin. Keep safe, take care and be well.

Goodbye 2020

 LAST SUNSET OF 2020. Clouds of Hope.

View from my window. Mississauga. ON.

“Clouds come floating into my life,

no longer to carry rain or usher storm,

 but to add color to my sunset sky.”

― Rabindranath Tagore, Stray Birds.

   

The Global Goan

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The Boat House That We Built

'D E N I Z A L I A'

Cold Moon - or Wolf Moon.

 

MOONWHILE, in Mississauga tonight it was a Cold Moon through the haze, making it the last Full Moon of 2020, and the 13th Full Moon of the year. Also called Wolf Moon, Ice Moon, the Yule Moon, the Long Night Moon, the Datta Jayanti Moon, Unduvap Poya, and the Chang’e Moon. The month of October of this year had the very rare occurrence of 2 Full Moons in a month, due to the 29.5 days of the moon's cycle. The phrase’once in a blue moon’ is derived from this type of celestial event.

Trucial States

During my early days in this region, seven Sheikdoms formed what was then known as the Trucial States of Oman – a British protectorate until 1971. After that a beautiful nation known as the United Arab Emirates was born. Pic 1: Ruler's Palace, Abu Dhabi, 1969.  Pic.2: Left: Sheikha Latifa Bldg, on Bani Yas Street, Deira, 1969. Dubai Petroleum Co. had its offices in this bldg. Right: Hassani Supermarket bldg. Background: Jashanmal & Sons. Pic 3. Deira  Corniche 1969. Music Centre: Sole agents for the famous B&O (Bang & Olufsen of Denmark) next to Riviera Restaurant. Background: Carlton Hotel. #

MAKE GOA COOL, NOT COAL

59 Years ago today

 Till today, I remember running along with other boys, 59 years ago. on the winding path through our ward of Cumbiem Morod, leading to the red mud road that passed through our village of Guirim, in Bardez, Goa, to see the Indian Army proceeding slowly, heading for the capital, Panjim. I saw young boys, accompanied by older folks of our village, waving out to the Indian soldiers sitting on top of their tanks in full battle gear. And I waved out as well! The boys shouted "Jai Hind" and I followed doing the same. I was fourteen years young.

I was fascinated by the artillery comprising of huge tanks,armoured cars, jeeps and trailers, gun carriages with canons of

different shapes and sizes towed by trucks, proceeding towards Panjim. They created clouds of dust as they rumbled along.

Most of the soldiers had moustaches, beards and turbans. All were smiling. The military procession continued long after dusk and trickled into the night. Here's my depiction in a drawing of Indian Troops driving through Guirim in Bardez on the evening of 18th December 1961, on their way via Betim to the capital, Panjim, ending Portuguese rule in Goa of over 450 years.

The Global Goan E-Magazine

 

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The Global Goan November 2020

 

Link for the Complete Magazine

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link for my Article : 

Major Days for the Morris Minor, the Doctor, My Bicycle & Me

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Halloween Blue Moon

 

MOONWHILE in Mississauga this evening I had the once in a blue moon chance to photograph the very rare Blue Moon. The phrase 'once in a blue moon' is derived from this type of a celestial event - i.e. 2 full moons in a single month - specialty here today being granted the extra spookiness on a Halloween night.. This October had the very rare occurrence of 2 Full Moons in a month - the last one being on 1 October 2020.

Moon's First Quarter in Autumn 2020

 

Meanwhile, in Mississauga, photographed tonight on a clear night sky through my window, it was the first quarter of the silvery moon in autumn. Sep. 23, 8:55 p.m.  Altitude: 17° - Direction: 206°SSW

Cloudy Encounter

'Cloudy Encounter' - 1996.

Photographed by Tony Fernandes

from the terrace of Tax Free Center bldg.near Indian High School. In the foreground of the picture on left is Pakistani High School and on the right is St. Mary's Church.

 

Dubai

Yesterday, the 2nd of September, was the 53rd anniversary of my first sea voyage aboard s.s.Sirdhana to Dubai which took 5 days calling on ports of Karachi and Muscat en route. I lived in the building on the left of this photograph for a few months after my arrival on the 7th September 1967. 

If you wish to read about my journey then please click the following link to my blog.

Part 1

http://tonferns.blogspot.ca/2009/04/beyond-arabian-sea.html

Part 2

http://tonferns.blogspot.ca/2009/04/beyond-arabian-sea-partt-2.html

Part 3

http://tonferns.blogspot.ca/2009/04/beyond-arabian-sea-part-3.html

Corn Full Moon

 

Meanwhile, in Mississauga, it was Full Corn Moon in full glow on the night of 2nd September 2020. The reason why this September's full moon is called as the 'Corn Moon' is because it comes before the autumnal equinox. Following this, the full moon on October 1 will be called the 'Harvest Moon' instead of 'Hunter Moon' which will now be on October 31. According to folklore, the next Blue Moon will come on October 31, 2020. It is called a Blue Moon because it'll be the 2nd of 2 full moons in a single calendar month. Hence the timeless phrase of yore “once in a blue moon” which is rare. Photo by Tony Fernandes.

Hyatt Regency - Dubai

Hyatt Regency Hotel, Deira Corniche, Dubai 1980.

Imposing building of that era on the Dubai Waterfront area

 - clear blue skies on a sunny day.

Camera: Nikon. Lens 35mm.

Kodak 35mm Negative film.

Photo by Tony Fernandes 

“Don't worry, there’s no hurry, no rush.

For all of us there’s a lot of brush.” 

- Grazing Quartet: Harmony in the Desert Sands -

Al Quoz area, Dubai.

 

Dubai by Night

 

First Quarter Moon in Mississauga

 

MEANWHILE in Mississauga, from my window on a clear sky last night, I was able to photograph the Moon in its First Quarter phase. This phase occurs roughly 7 days after the New Moon when the moon is one quarter of the way through its orbit around the earth. Exactly half the moon will be illuminated and half dark. On the day of the First Quarter phase the moon is visible until mid-night when it sets in the west. The First Quarter phase is a one day event and in the following days enters a Waxing Gibbous phase becoming more illuminated each day until the Full Moon. Time: 21.30
25th August 2020

 Memories I will forever cherish,

My host brethren never will I forget,

Their pride and hospitality I will always admire,

And having sighed a modest praise I shall retire.

First published in Gulf News Magazine, 25th October 1996

Nostalgic Reflections - Dubai

 

Off to the Races - Nad Al Sheba, Dubai. 1997.

Nostalgic Reflections.

Photo by Tony Fernandes.

Camera: Nikon 401X - 

Lens: Nikkor Telephoto 70-210mm f4.5 - Kodak 35mm Neg. film

Tonferns Violin

When you play a violin piece,

you are a storyteller,

and you're telling a story.'- Joshua Bell.

Miniature Violin 

hand-made by Tony Fernandes

 - 1/6 Scale - 1/4" thick wood.

Hollow body. Nylon strings.

Stands upright.

Lilies Against the Setting Sun

AGAINST THE SETTING SUN BY THE PATIO.

Photographs by Tony Fernandes.

Consider the lilies of the field

Whose bloom is brief:

We are as they;

Like them we fade away

As doth a leaf.

     

- Christina Rossetti.

BUCK MOON

Meanwhile, in Mississauga, it was a Full Moon last night. In the photo planet Jupiter is on the left as a tiny dot. Traditionally, a full Moon in July is called the Buck Moon because a buck’s antlers are in full growth mode at this time. This full Moon is also known as the Thunder Moon because thunderstorms are so frequent during this month.

Leaves against sunset

"Each leaf tells us a story. the story of its struggle. the struggle against the storms that it faces in life.”  ― Avijeet Das

Leaves over the garden fence against the setting sun.