BEHIND SUCCESS THERE ARE FRIENDS

We begin with our staunch and loving friends who stand by us in times of need. We are lucky we have a squad of such great and dedicated friends. This video shoot couldn't have been pulled off without them. They sacrificed their precious time by being away from their own families on family day. We owe them not one, but many. But one day, Dahlia, you will have a successful story to tell.

Likewise, I myself as a 'behind the scenes worker, staunch supporter and avid fan' take this opportunity to thank and appreciate each and every one of Dahlia's friends for helping with the video shoot.

And last, but not least, Tom & Lukasz and his camera crew on the set. Cool and unpretentious - they made us feel comfortable and part of the team.

And I don't need to be worried about. Arthritis or no arthritis, come snow or rain, wind chill or no chill, I will always be there 100%.

What a day it's been.

Tired, but not shaken.

SACRULA DE SALIGAO

               I remember Sacrula quite well. I was a young lad studying at St. Anthony's High School, Monte de Guirim, during the late 1950’s and early 1960's. It was during the afternoon recess that Sacrula would make one of his rare but entertaining appearances at the school.

               I considered Sacrula to be highly erudite and entertaining at the same time. A certain mystique surrounded his character. He was well known as 'Sacrula de Saligao' all over Goa. He seemed to have had all the fine qualities of a great orator. He drew the attention of students and held them spellbound with awe, wonder and humour. His eccentricity was as astonishing as his speeches. Students quickly gathered around to hear him as soon as they heard of his arrival at the school. His trademark was his cycle, a peculiar Franciscan habit and an umbrella with an insignia of some sort that I don't recall. It was perhaps 'S.F.X.'. If I am not mistaken the insignia was embroidered in three different colours. He was never afraid of heights. He dared to stand above the rest when he delivered one of his amazing speeches, and the parapet facing the school refectory or the ledge at the lower terrace posed no challenge for the extraordinary and unforgettable man.

                In the picture of the building above the double terrace -  on the first floor is the school refectory, and above it, is the junior dormitory of St. Anthony's High School - Monte de Guirim, Bardez, Goa.  Standing boldly on the parapet in front of this building, where all the boys would gather during the afternoon break, the legendary Sacrula delivered one of his brilliant lectures.

                In my opinion, he was a great guy, who may have been taken for granted by folks at the time, or far ahead of even the present time. I found him to be a fascinating and intriguing man. He deserves respect and admiration in spite of being considered by some as of unusual nature.

               On another note, I lived in Guirim at the time. During school holidays, I often visited my aunt at Candolim on a bicycle via Saligao, sometimes catching a glimpse of the man on the balcony of his imposing house along the winding road through the scenic and quaint village of Saligao. Those were the days.

http://www.saligaoserenade.com/

http://www.saligaoserenade.com/2011/02/14/unrequited-love-in-saligao/

St. Valentine's Day

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY
Love has no language barriers.
Love's meaning is the same in any language.

St. Valentine's Day was named after an actual Christian saint. It is no longer dedicated on the Catholic general calendar, but popularly celebrated in many Western countries on February 14. In the Church, the day is associated with martyrdom, while commonly in the western culture, the day is associated with love and romance.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

The love of
husband and wife
is the wellspring
of love
for the entire family.

Graced and Gifted:

Biblical Wisdom for the Homemaker's Heart

from CatholicGreetings.org

TOOLS & IMPLEMENTS OF THE TRADE - Goa, India

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

Goa, India

Dots, Lines and Cross-hatch Art

by Tony Fernandes

ME & MY MANDOLIN

STRINGS GALORE

 HANDMADE MINIATURES

by Tony Fernandes

Double Bass, Guitar, Violin & Tear-drop Portuguese Guitar

Main Picture: My Mandolin