The Sinister Ramparts of Alcatraz

Vistiing Alcatraz Island has been on my bucket list even since it shot to fame in the 1960's in several movies. Thanks to my daughter Denise, what was on the bucket list, became a reality, not only for me, but also for my wife.

Alcatraz is an island located in the San Francisco Bay, about 2.4 km offshore, in California. It has been often referred to as "The Rock". The small island has served as a lighthouse, a military fortification, a military prison, and a federal prison until 1963. Later, in 1972, Alcatraz became a national recreation area and received landmarking designations in 1976 and 1986.

Today, the island is a historic site operated by the National Park Service. Visitors can reach the island by ferry from Pier 33, near Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. In 2008 the nation's first hybrid propulsion ferry, pictured below, started serving the island. Alcatraz has been featured in many movies, TV shows, cartoons, books, comics, and games.

The commentary over the headphones in the guided audio tour is well presented with spine-chilling sound effects giving it an added dimension as you pass along the various sections of the prison along the corridors, prison walls and ramparts through the entire length of the tour. It almost like watching a film.

Yesterday : A trip to Alcatraz & and later a drive over the spectacular Golden Gate Bridge (which was also pending on the bucket list) and a thrilling drive through hairpin bends to Sausalito - kind courtesy by my daughter, Denise.

Today: She will take us to Stanford University to see the Rodin Sculptures.

For enlarged views please click on the pictures.

HOLY WEEK

Holy Week is the last week of Lent and the week before Easter. It includes the religious holidays of Palm Sundays, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday excluding Easter.

PALM SUNDAY

Palm Sunday, the sixth and last Sunday of Lent, is the beginning of Holy Week. The Catholic community in Goa celebrate the day with great solemnity. Young children beautifully decorate new shoots of coconut palm leaves and take them to church to have them blessed. The celebration recalls the solemn entry of Christ into Jerusalem. After attending Mass and special prayer services in the church, children return to their homes and distribute the leaves to the people in their villages.

Palm Sunday

At the triple chimes

Of village church bell,

We rose up early and saw

In the serene stillness before the dawn

The bright morning star in the East

Right above the sky’s edge;

And as we turned our gaze

Southwards above the horizon

Saw the constellation

Called the Southern Cross.

Twinkling just above the backyard hedge.

Too dark and early we thought

To pluck the new shoot

Of the coconut palm leaf;

So while some of us lay in wait

My siblings went back to sleep;

As the sky lightened a little bit

We saw the palm

And cut it in right earnest

With the last shooting star of the night

Hastily streaking towards the west.

Somewhere nearby

The cock crew

Heralding the early morn

With its wakeup call;

And a sudden rustle

As the first bird of the day took flight

From the mango tree

Up my spine sent a slight chill.

Careful were we

Not to rip the young palm open;

We decorated it the best we could

In the light of the early morning dawn;

Then donning our Sunday best

Onwards we walked

To the Church to have it blessed;

Returned home

With the sun up and bright

and proudly we handed over

the holy strands of the palm

To the old folks

In the village

Still busy by the fireside

They thanked, blessed and offered

as a reward

a cup of tea in return

Intoning the timeless saying:

“God bless you my son”.

MAIN SIGN IN PLACE

Looking forward to dine here, with some wine too.

BRAND NEW RESTAURANT IN MISSISSAUGA, CANADA. - GOAN & MANGALOREAN CUISINE

Please click on Image to enlarge.

Find out more about the Konkan Region and its Cuisine.

Click on the link below:

http://www.konkandelite.ca/about.htm

Tonferns Creations - Farm Tractor

Front: Swing Axle

Removable Overhead Shade Canopy

Separate Chassis / Engine Block / Muffler

Body Assembly: Engine bonnet/hood, Front grill,

adjustable headlamps, seat, mud-guard/fender

Farm Tractor with Multi-purpose Trailer

Trailer Hitch


FARM TRACTOR with Trailer
1/32 Scale 1/8" Recyled Plywood
Hand-cut, no scroll saw used.

CLICK ON PICTURE FOR AN ENLARGED VIEW

TonFerns Creations Creator on a Tractor

FRUITFUL ADVENTURE

NEW FLAVOUR FROM EDNA'S PICKLES

Click on pic to enlarge http://www.oneofakindshow.com/toronto/ http://www.oneofakindshow.com/toronto/artisans.php?id=24809&c=10

DAHLIA MAKES HEADWAY

Click on image for an enlarged view.

To order from iTunes, please click on:

http://bit.ly/hNCYpE.

To order from Amazon please click on:

http://amzn.to/frCKzN

And please stay tuned for further updates.

Thank you for your support.

WEATHER IN NORTH AMERICA

I wanted to complain about the bad weather here. Then suddenly, I thought about Japan and the hardships of the people there which made me stop about my own.

IRONY IN HUMAN BEHAVIOUR

On one side of the world people are trying to find people so that they can save them, on the other side they are trying to find people so that they can kill them.

TOUCHING QUOTE ON JAPAN DISASTER

Not enough living to take care of the dead.

PRAYER FOR THE PEOPLE OF JAPAN

THIS WONDERFUL PRAYER

WAS PASSED ON TO ME.

SO I AM PASSING IT ON.

Lord, I just want to say THANK YOU, Because this morning I woke up and knew where my children were. Because this morning my home was still standing, Because this morning I am not crying Because my spouse, my child, my brother or sister, my parent does not need to be buried or to be pulled out from underneath a pile of concrete, Because this morning I was able to drink a glass of water, Because this morning I was able to turn on the light, Because this morning I was able to take a shower, Because this morning I was not planning a funeral. But most of all I thank you this morning because I still have life and a voice to cry out for the people of Japan. Lord I cry out to you, the One that makes the impossible, possible, The One that turns darkness in to light, I cry out that You give those mothers strength. That You give them peace that surpasses all understanding, That You may open the streets so that help can come, That You may provide doctors, nurses, food, water, and all that they need in a blink of an eye. For all those that have lost family members, give them peace, give them hope, give them courage to continue to go on! Protect the children and shield them with your power. I pray all this in the name of Jesus!!! To all friends, please continue to forward this so that we can pray together for the people in Japan.

STAR QUALITIES

It's not good enough only to be born with star qualities - you've to learn how to use them."

Happy St. Patrick's Day

ST. PATRICK

Apostle of Ireland,

born at Kilpatrick, near Dumbarton,
 in Scotland, in the year 387;

died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland,

17 March, 493.

The green color and the shamrock represents and symbolizes Irish Christianity. It is the national colour of Ireland and everything goes green on St. Patrick's Day. St. Patrick is believed to have used the shamrock in teaching the Irish about the Holy Trinity.

Green is life, signifying growth, health, and environment.

Green is restful with cooling and calming attributes,

and good for the eyes.

Green is the national color of Ireland.

Green also heralds the onset of Spring.

FORCES OF IRONY

FORCES OF IRONY

On one side of the world it is man fighting against man, on the other it is the powerful force of nature against man.

Admirable courage in the aftermath

The magnitude of the disaster in the aftermath of the earthquake, tsunami and aftershocks, is unbelievable as we watch the images on TV and the internet. The human suffering this has caused is beyond my comprehension. I admire the courage of the Japanese people who survived in the face of adversity. I remember when as a young boy clutching my mother's hand, as I stood under the doorway of our little house, during a very violent storm that seems like nothing in comparison, as I watch the images of destruction in Japan, unfold before my eyes.

To read my childhood memoir, please click on the following link:

http://bit.ly/hopdwF

It is sad to watch the images of devastation in Japan

It has been really distressing and sad to watch the images on TV, as nature unleashed its fury with the tidal wave caused by the earthquake in Japan. The magnitude of human suffering and displacement is unfathomable.

Vast areas of land inundated with debris, causing damage to natural resources. The tsunami has washed away everything in his path.

Our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to the ones who have lost their lives in this natural catastrophe, to the ones who has lost their near and dear ones and to those who have been separated from their relatives and friends..

Earthquake in Japan and the resulting tsunami

My daughter Denise phoned us here in Toronto from San Francisco, USA, re: the devastating earthquake and the resulting tsunami in Japan, at 2.30 am. The images we are watching on TV since then are really heart-rending. We believe the tsunami will probably have an effect on the entire West Coast of Canada and USA.

Naturally we are concerned about all our near and dear ones, relatives and friends, and generally everyonee. Please take care and stay safe.

Soulful Singer/Songwriter DAHLIA FERNANDES signs publishing deal.

DAHLIA FERNANDES SIGNS EXCLUSIVE DEAL WITH SOLANO MUSIC GROUP
Ontario, Canada (March 8, 2011) – Canada’s growing music company, Sol’ano Music Group (SMG), is pleased to announce that it has signed profuse songwriter and gifted singer Dahlia Fernandes for an all-exclusive worldwide co-publishing agreement. This is the first signing of the 27-year-old soulful artist based in Toronto

Please click on http://bit.ly/h2iYsM to read the full article.

Zucchini and Red Pepper Combination

New Flavour comes to town from Edna's Pickles

Zucchini Special

Zucchini with Roasted Red Peppers

A brand new flavour joins the ranks of 11 other existing flavours, making its debut at One of a Kind Spring Show and Sale 2011, at the Direct Energy Centre in Downtown Toronto, from March 30 to April 3.

http://www.oneofakindshow.com/toronto/showinfo.php

PLEASE CHECK OUT

THE ARTISAN PROFILE OF

EDNA FERNANDES

Click on: http://bit.ly/f8Q4Tx

Zucchini blended with roasted red bell peppers and a host of various Indian traditional spices, gives this exciting new pickle the heartiness of an elegant relish to accompany any meal. Use it as a light spread on hamburgers or sandwiches for an added delightful kick.

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

TOOLS & IMPLEMENTS, Goa, India.

CLEAVER - (Konkani: Koito) 2

Dot & Cross-hatch - Line Artwork by Tony Fernandes

TOOLS & IMPLEMENTS, Goa, India

CLEAVER - Konkani : 'Koito'

TOOLS & IMPLEMENTS - Goa, India

TOOLS & IMPLEMENTS, Goa, India.

The Scythe (Konkani: Kathi) of the Toddy-tapper,

(Konkani: Render)

TOOLS and IMPLEMENTS - Goa, India

TOOLS and IMPLEMENTS - Goa, India

The Hoe - (Khorem)

Line Artwork by Tony Fernandes

TOOLS & IMPLEMENTS - Goa, India

The Goan 'Picaas' (Pick-axe)
Line Drawing by Tony Fernandes

A mid-sized implement for a lot of jobs.

Forged by professional local master craftsmen and iron-smiths of yesteryear, the pick-axe is a handy tool used in many village households, and also in the construction and agricultural sector in Goa. Mainly used in stone quarries for cutting out and shaping the initial rough form of commonly used laterite stones. for building houses, schools, churches, temples, bridges, river-side embankments, forts, government and commercial buildings, compound walls, and especially for wedged shapes and circular segments used for arches and round wells by professional masons.

The shape of this tool is generally T-shaped. Its head is typically metal, attached perpendicularly to a longer handle, traditionally made of wood. It has a pointed end on one side of its head and a broad flat blade opposite. A gradual curve characteristically spans the length of the head which gives it the advantage and leverage both for breaking and prying from both ends. The axe is used for hoeing, skimming, and chopping through roots.It is also used in mining and digging in hard rocky terrain and other tough earth surfaces.

TOOL & IMPLEMENTS, Goa, India

SICKLE (Konkani: Koiti)

Goa - Tools & Implements

GOA - India

BAGA Creekside - Bardez, GOA, India.

'Resort Rio' in Arpora, Bardez, GOA. India.

Nerul Creek, Bardez, GOA, India.

Miramar Beach, Panjim, GOA, India.View of the Capital - Panjim City - GOA - India.

Please double-click on picture for an enlarged view.

AJMER, Rajasthan to Thivim, GOA, India

PUSHKAR (पुष्कर) Rajasthan, India

Rickshaw - Tricycle Taxi

Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Temple at Pushkar Lake
with the Aravalli Mountain Range as a backdrop

SHOPS FOR TOURISTS
Pushkar, Rajasthan, India

पुष्कर

Pushkar is a town in the Ajmer district in the state of Rajasthan, India. It is situated at 14 km North West from Ajmer at an elevation of 510 metres (1673 feet). It is a site of pilgrimage for devout Hindus and a popular destination for foreign tourists. The Pushkar Fair, or Pushkar ka Mela, is the annual five-day camel and livestock fair, held in the town of Pushkar. It is one of the world's largest camel fairs.

Pushkar is one of the oldest cities of India. Pushkar lies on the shore of Pushkar Lake. Legend has it that it is creation of Lord Brahma.

AJMER, Rajasthan, India - राजस्थान

अजमेर - राजस्थान

भारत
Ajmer (Rajasthani: अजमेर, Urdu: اجمیر) pronounced [ədʒmeːr] ( listen) is the 5th largest city in Rajasthan and is the centre of the eponymous Ajmer District. Ajmer has a population of around 800,000 (2011 census), and is located 135 kilometres (84 mi) west of Jaipur, the state capital, 274 km from Udaipur, 439 km from Jaisalmer, and 391 km from Delhi.
Ajmer is surrounded by the Aravalli Mountains. It is a pilgrimage centre for the shrine of the Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti and is also the base for visiting Pushkar (11 km), an ancient Hindu pilgrimage city, famous for the temple of Brahma.

AJMER, Rajasthan, India

TEMPLE OF JAIN LORD AADINATH

NARELI, near Ajmer, Rajasthan, India