BACK IN TIME - STORM IN THE PARK

BACK IN TIME - STORM IN THE PARK - JUNE 2010.
(Please click on the picture below to read the 2010 episode).

In sharp similarity, on Saturday, June 1, 2019, at the Art in the Park Arts & Crafts Show in Windsor, Ontario, it was almost a repetition of that storm of June 2010. Suddenly, the skies started to darken frighteningly around mid-day. The park was under a canopy of dark grey clouds, and what seemed to be a sure sign of an approaching storm. And then soon it started raining. The organizing staff went about warning vendors about a possible storm. Then came the warning on cellphones about a tornado watch. And soon the booths were shut, and the vendors left the exhibition grounds only to return the next day to see bright and sunny skies, although there were some water-logged booths due to inevitable ground conditions. But none of the vendors gave up. They went about doing their tasks, and shortly the park was full of visitors. The show went on - true to the organizer's motto 'come rain or shine', and with the addition of 'mulch or no mulch' that did help a lot. The show continued wonderfully with quite a turn-out until closing with glorious sunshine. Thanks to the organizers and their staff with electric carts, helping out the vendors.

http://tonferns.blogspot.com/2010/06/blog-post_06.html

Nossa Senhora de Graca - Our Lady of Grace - Margao, Goa, India

The Majestic Old Church of Nossa Senhora de Graça

(Our Lady of Grace) popularly known today as ‘Grace Church’
Margao, Salcete, Goa – India.

Water Colours 20 in x 16 in by Tony Fernandes 1990

From an old photograph taken during a visit to see a friend in Margao while on an annual vacation to Goa in the year 1973. (35mm Kodachrome Slide Film). A new church now stands in the same spot. However, the shrine of Our Lady of Fatima is in the same location.

History: Originally a chapel, called the Capela de Batalhão (Port. Chapel of the Battalion). Its construction began on 6.1.1812 and the first Mass was offered there on 3.5.1812. It was detached from the Holy Spirit Parish, Margao, and erected into a full-fledged Parish in 1959. The beautiful old church was demolished and the present church was built in its place. Inaugurated on 1.1.1977. Feast: 5th February

Adeus Kortso Vellu Pauta

Ruth Lobo
Published on 16 Feb 2015

ADEUS KORCHO VELLU PAULO (It's Time To Say Goodbye)

Three Violins and a Cello. All women.String Quartet. Please give a listen to this timeless beautiful classic by clicking on the following link. An instrumental version of a popular Goan Konkani Mando, bidding farewell to a loved one, rendered in classical style. Music by Torquato de Figueiredo (1876-1948) Arranged for Strings by Victor Rangel-Ribeiro. Musicians Eshvita Nazareth, Judy Fernandes, Goretti Pinheiro, Teresa Figueiredo, Filmed by Ruth Lobo & Douglas Garcias

GLOBAL WARMING IS FOR REAL

Viva Goa

Vacation India 2016 Goa1

Crab Mentality

Cycling Route

Cycling Route on the Trail

 - Mississauga - 

2.5 km round trip.

Tonferns Clock

Que Sera Sera - Doris Day - Idol of our childhood and teens.

Growing up as a kid in the late 1950's, and as a teenager in the early 1960's, we frequently heard Doris Day's 'Que Sera Sera' played on the 'Emisora de Goa' (Radio Station during the Portuguese time in Goa) and on 'Radio Ceylon' (now Sri Lanka). This song was on everyone's lips. It was my Mom's favourite too. I heard her hum the tune as she went about doing her house-hold chores everyday, some of which included an ongoing project like a sweater that she would knit, a lost button on my school uniform or a shoe-lace that she would replace, or the lengthening of my shorts as I grew up almost by the week. The lyrics were even translated into Konkani which went like this:

Aslom tednam aum laan burgo,

Maink moje avem ho vichar kelo,

Zaith aum sobit, guirest vhodlo,

Osso zabab dilo.

Zaunchem zatelem,

Goddchem poi tem goddtelem,

Noxibantlem meutelem,

Zaunchem zatelem.

Rest in Peace

Doris Day

Born : April 3, 1922

Died: May 13, 2019 

Gondolas of Venice 1996

"The Tour, My Harmonica and Me" 

My family and I were on a bus tour of Europe in the year 1996. Halfway riding across Europe, our family of five came to be known as 'the music family" to the rest of the bus-load of tourists because we sang sometimes without boring them. So, while we were in Venice in Italy, our tour guide hired a bunch of gondolas for a tour through the canals under the arched bridges. Thinking that it was appropriate, and rightly so, he let us board on the gondola that had a duo of  musicians on board - a tenor and an accordionist. Halfway on the gondola ride,  I showed my harmonica to the musicians. Immediately, they asked to me play something. And I obliged playing 'Santa Lucia' in the key of C Major, probably to their great surprise. I guessed it sounded quite delightful to everyone's ears, with a subtle back-up on the accordion, finally letting the accordionist lead into the finale, while tourists on the accompanying gondolas and tourists over the arched bridges cheered on, much to my delight, thus making it my day.

COMPAY SEGUNDO-Guantanamera.WMV

Harmonica Episode 3. Thought you'd find this amusing. I was one in a group of 8 people (family and friends) standing in line among other passengers at an airport bound for Cuba awaiting security clearance. My harmonica, which I usually carry, showed in the X-Ray screening of my carry-on luggage. The lady officer asked me to open my bag. Looking at the harmonica, the officer goes: "What's this?" "My harmonica" I replied. "Do you know how to play it?" she asked. "Yes, of course, I do" I said. "Really?" the officer queried, "then can you play something?" "Certainly", I stated. "Go ahead", she said. "Is it okay to play it here?" I asked. "Yes, it's alright" she says. Then without hesitation, like 'un hombre sincero', I rendered a version of my favourite, none other than 'Guantanamera', which came to me spontaneously. The officers were convinced that there was nothing else inside the harmonica other than 2 brass plates with reeds while other passengers were held in an utter gasp, amused, amazed and puzzled perhaps all at the same time. I was happy, relieved and thankful that my 40-year old harmonica was not confiscated. I was glad that I got a rare audience and a unusual chance to play at an airport of all places. I often reminisce and tell my friends about this odd one of a kind incident in my life. Playing an original Cuban song before boarding an airplane bound for Cuba that delighted everyone - like a prelude, a precursor to music that the tourists would definitely hear in the days ahead in the restaurants and nightclubs during their stay in Cuba - was simply exhilarating. Please give a listen to a classic rendition by Compay Segundo (a.k.a. Máximo Francisco Repilado Muñoz Telles) #Stories #HarmonicaEspisode
  

Moonriver in Porto - Ponte Luis I Bridge, Porto, Portugal

By the way, I have an interesting anecdote regarding this song. Two years ago my wife, my two daughters, one son-in-law and myself went on a vacation to Portugal. While we were strolling along the famous Dom Luis I Bridge between the cities of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia over the Douro River, I took out my tiny Hohner Harmonica (which I always carry on my travels) from my jacket pocket and started playing 'Moonriver' by placing my hat on the ground, on sudden impulse - just for kicks. My daughter Dahlia filmed this, and by the end of the song, tourists started throwing coins into my hat! The hat could have possibly seen enough Euros for a dinner for five had I covered few more tunes, but there wasn't enough time. Our group had to move on.

Moonriver in Porto - Ponte Luis I Bridge, Porto, Portugal

A Tribute to Mrs. Joyce Muffty

My wife Edna and I are extremely sorry to hear about the passing away of a fine lady - Mrs. Joyce Muffty. My earliest memories of first meeting her go way back to the year 1967 in Abu Dhabi at St. Joseph's Club, where I met her son Dennis also for the first time. Dennis and I became friends instantly. I had just started work, was 21 years old, new to the place and did not know many people. My parents lived in Goa. From then on, Mr. & Mrs. Muffty treated me like their own son and never failed to invite me for dinner or lunch for Christmas and Easter. At the Christmas get-together at St. Joseph's, Mrs. Muffty made me sit at their family table. I still cherish these memories.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all members of the Muffty family. Please accept our heartfelt sympathies. May the Almighty God give you the strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss at this difficult time of sorrow. May thoughts and fond memories bring you comfort. May her soul rest in eternal peace. She lived her life to the full and surely touched the hearts of many people in her life. 

Mrs. Joyce Muffty has my greatest admiration as a very loving, considerate, generous, kind and caring lady. She made me sit among her children at the dining table - Dennis, Ozzie, Jerry. Lenny, Rolly and Diana.

These are my few words in a small and humble tribute to honour the exemplary life of Mrs. Joyce Muffty, and to express our love and admiration for her.

May the memories and thoughts of happier times bring comfort to her family members, loved ones and friends who will miss her dearly.


Gone but not forgotten. We have indeed lost a truly kindhearted, gentle and loving person, devoted to her family, and a great woman and mother of our time. May her soul rest in eternal peace.

With our most heartfelt condolences.

Tony & Edna
.

A Garland of Songs of Sir Cliff Richard

An Ode with a Garland of Song Titles

'NOW NOT ON TALKING TERMS'

by Tony Fernandes

When I was a 'Bachelor Boy'

I was living among 'The Young Ones'

And often went on a 'Summer Holiday'

by 'Travelling Light'
While my friends said,
"Congratulations".

I imagined it would be
"A Wonderful Life",
I thought 'Constantly' that

 she was like a 'Living Doll'

with 'Lucky Lips',

a perfect 'Theme For a Dream'

and a wonderful creation,

'A Human Work of Art'.

"Love is Forever", l assumed,
When she sang

she sounded like

'A Voice in the Wilderness'

and I was convinced

She sure was

'Wired for Sound'

When we met,

We were like 'Silhouettes'

in 'Spanish Harlem'

But then one day when I asked her

'Do You Wanna Dance'

She replied: 'Move it'

See you 'The Next Time'.

'I'm your Puppet' I said

'My Heart is an Open Book' I pleaded

but I will still 'Miss You Nights'
with love as much as "Ocean Deep"

I confessed.

And after all was said and done

it was like 'The Twelfth of Never';

It seemed 'It was all in the Game',
as when 'When Two Hearts Drift Apart',

and now 'Nine times out of Ten'

'We Don't Talk Anymore'!

By Tony Fernandes

San Francisco - Scott McKenzie

Varadero Cuba Feb 2015

Miniature cut-away Flamenco Acoustic Spanish Guitar 1/6 Scale. Laminated 1/8" plywood top and back. White PVC sides. Hollow body. Free-standing on base. Hand-crafted by Tony Fernandes (TonFerns Creations)

Miniature Violins

1/4" White PVC

TonFerns Creations

Tonferns Handicrafts Miniature Violin

The 14 Stations of the Cross

The 14 Stations of the Cross. Also known as Way of the Cross, Via Sacra, Via Dolorosa, etc. Arranged in chapels and churches in a counter-clockwise direction. Centre : Sculpture in clay by Tony Fernandes (TonFerns Creations) 

Bridges of Porto Portugal

TonFerns Miniature Violin

Hand-crafted Violin 

1/6 Scale - 1/8 thickness plywood - hollow body 

by Tony Fernandes.(TonFerns Creations)

The violin is for display only. Looks beautiful on a piano. Or on a home display shelf. It balances itself at a slight left or right tilt on its own. I also make custom-built mini stands for miniature violins and guitars.

Tambde Roza Goan Konkani Mando Harmonica Tonferns

Paper Roses

Send Me The Pillow That You Dream On - TonFerns Harmonica - Tony Fernandes

Bishop Words of Confirmation

Illuminated Calligraphy

Illuminated Calligraphy

Evergreen Brickworks, Don Valley

Worm Moon

 Pic 1 - Last Moonrise of Winter 

Time: 6.30 pm Date: 19 March 2019 - (76°) E

Pic.2 - Last Moonset of Winter

Time 6.23 pm Date: 20 March 2019 - (280°) W

'TonFerns Moon Skywatch'. Location: Mississauga.

The Full Moon in March is the Worm Moon, and it is usually considered the last Full Moon of winter. It is also called Lenten Moon, Crow Moon, Crust Moon, Chaste Moon, Sugar Moon, and Sap Moon. It was given the name super worm moon as it coincides with the spring equinox, when the length of day and night are almost the same. Worms are said to emerge from the soil around this time. Photos by Tony Fernandes.

Meanwhile... Mississauga skies last night

St. Patrick's Day

Cellphone Stand

Cellphone stand for Kitchen counter top. Fruit crate from grocery store. 3/16" thick plywood. Tonferns Creations.

Daylight Saving Time

If these clock shifts annoy you, you’re not alone on this. Scientific research is backing up the theory that this whole clock-switching back and forth might actually be a waste of time.

Evergreen Brick Works

When Taped Cassettes Reigned Suprme

My very first recorded 'Maxell' cassette tape and Philips stereo deck. Abu Dhabi. 1967. On the left of the song-listing hand-written on the cover are rev. counter numbers, so that songs in the compilation, titled 'Vocal Miscellany', could be precisely rewound for replay if required. More than half a century ago. Cassette still plays. C-90, 45 min. play on each side. One of my favourite numbers in the charts of that era was Nancy Ames' version of Cu Cu Ru Cu Cu on this cassette. Click on the link below to listen. 

Cellphone Stand for Car

Monte de Guirim

The Moon today 26 Feb. 2019 at 7.37 am is in a Waning Gibbous Phase.

 The sun is up, and bright too.

This is the first phase after the Full Moon occurs.

It lasts roughly 7 days with the Moon's illumination growing smaller each day until the Moon becomes a Last Quarter Moon with a illumination of 50%,

also known as Third Quarter.

Photo by Tony Fernandes.

Have a nice day.

Key Rack by Tonferns Creations

1. Blank Pine Plaque from Hardware or Dollar Plus.

2. Make a full-size normal pattern on computer.

3. Print image in reverse using a laser printer onto regular photocopy paper.
Apply print on plaque using 'Liquitex' or 'Mod-Podge' and let dry.
Seal with polymer.

4. Screw in 'L' hooks.

5. Mount on wall. Ready to hang your keys.
print image using a laser printer onto regular printer paper.