Tonferns - A Nostalgic Journey

Back in Baga, Goa, India

2012-01-30T20:41:00.002-05:00

CHURCH OF ST. DIOGO, GUIRIM-SANGOLDA, Bardez, Goa.

2012-01-29T23:00:00.002-05:00

CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, Panaji, Goa. India

2012-01-28T21:46:00.002-05:00

'Pikaas' - Goa Tools & Implements

2012-01-28T00:23:00.001-05:00

The Goan Picas (Pick-axe)

The 'Koito' - Common house-hold Tools of Goa

2012-01-26T22:14:00.005-05:00

Koito - Common House-hold Tools of Goa,

The Scythe - Goa Tools of the 'Render'

2012-01-25T21:47:00.003-05:00

The Scythe of the Toddy Tapper

'Gunnsunnom' Grinder for Spices (Masala)

2012-01-18T18:55:00.001-05:00

House-hold Spices (Masala) Grinder

Carved from Granite Diameter 2ft.

Total Height: 2ft.

'FAATHON' GRINDING STONE - Goa

2012-01-17T07:14:00.003-05:00

Common House-hold Grinding Stone - Goa,

for grinding spices in paste (masala) used in making curry and vegetable dishes

'NO CURRY TASTE BETTER WITHOUT A GRINDING STONE'

'Dantem' - Grinding Grain into Flour

2012-01-16T01:14:00.002-05:00

House-hold Grinding Mill - Granite Stone - Goa,

for grinding grain into flour used in making flat-bread and pastries.

'Vaan' - Threshing of Parboiled Rice (Goa - India)

2012-01-16T01:12:00.004-05:00

'Vaan'

USED FOR THRESHING PARBOILED RICE

(A must in the back room of every rustic village home of a bygone era)

The 'Vaan' consists of a hole in the ground about 6" in diameter and 8" deep and a set of two bamboo poles.

This is mainly a chore for two women alternatively beating into the hole where rice is put, threshed using the ends of the bamboo poles and later separated using sieves.

GOAN 'PONTTI' BY NIGHT - by Tonferns

2012-01-15T19:40:00.008-05:00

'PONTTI'

Known locally as 'pontti', it is a lamp made of red clay, average size about 3" x 2", and extensively used during Diwali celebrations. Arrays lit 'en masse' are seen in the balconies and courtyards of homes. It is lit mainly as a religious offering using oil with a cotton wick in Hindu and Christian homes.

CANDLE LIGHT BY NIGHT

2012-01-13T07:06:00.002-05:00

2012-01-12T16:01:00.001-05:00

Hohner Meister Klasse 580 MS Diatonic

2012-01-11T08:03:00.002-05:00

Hohner 'Puck' Harmonica

2012-01-10T18:54:00.005-05:00

Hohner Hot Metal

2012-01-10T18:05:00.007-05:00

Hohner Big River Harp

2012-01-10T18:02:00.007-05:00

Chrometta 12 255 Hohner Harmonica

2012-01-10T14:14:00.004-05:00

Marine Band B-flat

2012-01-10T01:54:00.004-05:00

M. Hohner

Marine Band B-Flat

TONFERNS THROUGH THE AGES

2012-01-07T08:35:00.006-05:00

TONFERNS THROUGH THE AGES

I can’t remember any speeches anymore. You know I’m sixty-five. So I have to read them.

I thank my wife Edna for her love and understanding, for her dedication in bringing up our children well, for her encouragement in all my aspirations and for her constant companionship and steadfast support during the last 37 years.

I thank my children for their love and respect, and care and support.

Denise is always there for us, and is able to come up with the most logical solutions and the most elaborate surprises.

Denzil is very loving and always passionate about whatever he does. And he is always there when we need him. He also comes up with convenient solutions that somehow always involve the use of computer technology.

Dahlia is ever present to keep our spirits high with her music, humour and energy. I am blessed and my life is full of love and friendship.

My parents are no longer living, but I owe them for the good life that I have today. They made sure that I got an education, but more importantly nurtured me with their love.

Lately my friends have been saying: “Hey, Tony, you don’t look sixty-five”. At this point in time I’d like to mention that I owe my youthful looks to Edna’s wonderful cooking.

Nevertheless, since I really can’t believe like most of you that I’m sixty-five – I insist on a recount.

They say when you are sixty-five you first tend to forget names; then you forget faces; then you forget to zip up your fly; and then you forget to unzip your fly. But my dear relative and friends, you will never be forgotten. Thank you for your friendship during all these years.

I must say that being sixty-five was not easy – it took me 23,801.5 days to get here, including that extra day in leap years . Having been born in the roaring forties, life has been a great experience - studying through the swinging fifties, donning a Beatles haircut and sailing to Dubai in the sixties, getting married in the fabulous seventies, and learning to manage kids through the rocking eighties and digital nineties and completion of a great and fantastic decade in the 21^st century.

Now, it’s time to look on the brighter side.

From today I shall presume that I am twenty with 45 years experience.

Convert that into Celsius and it should be about 17 without wind-chill.

From now on I shall select only sweet tunes as they say the older the fiddle sweeter the tune. Or it may be the same fiddler, same fiddle, but a different tune.

Have you ever wondered why sixty-five is considered as a great mile stone?

It’s very simple my friends - because if we were to count age in kilometres I would have been 104 years old today. Besides, who'd want to live that long eh?

Days of inflation are long gone for me. Inflation was supposed to be when I paid fifteen dollars for the ten-dollar haircut when I had hair. I wasn't a show-off, but keeping the barber happy with a 50% tip meant that a good hair-cut was very important in my younger days. But inflation or no inflation – now I don’t have to worry about rising cost of hair-cuts, or even try to get mileage from my hair any more. And besides, a good collection of hats does the rest!

Finally, I’d like to say that today, as I embark on yet another 365-day journey around the sun, with wonderful friends and a loving family, I look forward to a wonderful year ahead. And after having completed 65 of these round trips already, which incidentally means a lot of experience, I am happy to be alive to tell the tale. I thank the Lord for a good life, a good wife, beautiful kids and excellent friends.

2012-01-07T08:31:00.001-05:00

2012-01-01T18:18:00.001-05:00

ADIEU TO 2011

2011-12-31T13:12:00.001-05:00

Once again, we say adieu to a year that seemed to have just passed by us so quickly and it is time now to usher in yet another. Each year we wish and pray for peaceful days ahead, free from turmoil, war, natural disasters. Some folks happily attend parties, family get-together, large social gatherings in communities irrespective of caste or religion to celebrate the new year. Some may be thinking of their loved ones who were with them in the last year, and as fate has it, many of us do not with us today those that we loved to share in those happy moments of yesteryear.

We cherish the good old days when we attended New Year’s Eve Ball and house parties that followed. That was the norm. Today as we are much older, we can’t help but reminisce about the good old days, and the good times we had then and those that we shared with our friends, some of whom sadly are not longer with us. Some times I tend to ask myself why we refer to those days as the good old days. Conversely, I believe that the days are the same, the only difference being that we are getting older.

Poignantly though and quite aptly, some of us may reminisce once again in forming a circle with our friends at the Ball, waiting for the count-down at the stroke of midnight and singing ‘Auld Lang Syne’.

At the same time, in true fashion of “Old Long Ago’ we take time to re-kindle cherished memories of our loving Fredrick and Benny Barboza and all other dear departed relatives and friends.

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and days of old lang syne.

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

2011-12-31T09:59:00.001-05:00

CHANGING OF THE SEASONS, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

2011-12-30T18:56:00.005-05:00

CHANGING OF THE SEASON'S & BUILDING'S PROGRESS

This is no trick photography, but the changing scene of a lone building through the course of the years 1998 - 1999 in Mississauga, Canada.

Digital photography wasn't in vogue yet, hence the dim and faded glow of a decade-old photographs, shot on film with an SLR Camera from an Apartment Building on Mississauga Valley Blvd., Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

SPRING

SUMMER

EARLY FALL

FALL

LATE FALL

WINTER

REMEMBERING FREDRICK BARBOZA

2011-12-28T23:50:00.008-05:00

REMEMBERING

FREDRICK CHARLES BARBOZA
3rd Death Anniversary

Lyricist, Composer, Singer, Actor

30.11.1930 - 28 December 2008

(in Photograph with Antonette & Late Romeo Mendes - actors and singers of the Konkani Stage)

2nd Cassette produced by Mr. Freddy Barboza

Season's Greetings

2011-12-28T08:21:00.000-05:00

Season's Greetings

2011-12-28T08:18:00.005-05:00

2011-12-28T08:18:00.004-05:00

NATIVITY SCENE - Tonferns Creations

2011-12-27T19:40:00.003-05:00

2011-12-26T12:37:00.001-05:00

WISHING EVERYONE A JOYOUS CHRISTMAS

2011-12-25T08:45:00.004-05:00

2011-12-24T07:46:00.001-05:00

CARTOONIST MARIO MIRANDA

2011-12-23T20:52:00.002-05:00

Mario João Carlos do Rosario de Brito Miranda (2 May 1926 – 11 December 2011), popularly known as Mario Miranda or Mario de Miranda, was an Indian cartoonist based in Loutolim in the Indian state of Goa. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and Padma Shri in 1988.

Miranda had been a regular with The Times of India and other newspapers in Mumbai, including The Economic Times, though he got his popularity with his works published in The Illustrated Weekly of India.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Miranda

LET'S GET IT RIGHT

2011-12-21T07:18:00.005-05:00

I'M A FRIEND OF LANSDOWNE!

http://www.letsgetitright.ca/

Ottawa

2011-12-20T20:20:00.001-05:00

Edna's Pickles in Toronto Life

2011-12-18T13:24:00.005-05:00

'MISSISSAGOAN'

Edna's Pickles have been featured in Toronto Life.

http://bit.ly/t3UBe8

Excellent Job

2011-12-16T19:27:00.001-05:00

WHAT A FINE ACCOLADE:

Customer after trying about a thousand samples,

(and after an unsuccessful sale) had the following to say:

You’re doing an excellent job!

Lansdowne Park, Ottawa

2011-12-14T23:04:00.003-05:00

Resilient Artisans at Craft Shows

2011-12-13T16:10:00.002-05:00

THERE”S ALWAYS SOMETHING:

Artisans somehow have always been resilient to the brunt of adverse conditions: If it’s not a bad spot, then its floor. If it’s not the rain, then it’s the blistering heat. If it’s not the low turn out, then it’s the gale force winds that blow over tents, and at times there's everything combined.

Bring it on!

Aberdeen Pavilion, Lansdowne Park, Ottawa

2011-12-12T21:12:00.003-05:00

Ottawa

2011-12-06T10:32:00.003-05:00

EDNA'S PICKLES, One of a Kind Show Christmas 2011

2011-12-03T07:43:00.001-05:00

OOAK Toronto

2011-12-03T07:42:00.004-05:00

Direct Energy Centre, Toronto.

2011-12-02T08:38:00.001-05:00

One of A Kind Show, Direct Energy Centre, Toronto

2011-11-28T08:20:00.001-05:00

2011-11-24T08:36:00.002-05:00

FAIR NOVEMBER ARTS & CRAFT SHOW AT UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH

2011-11-16T08:01:00.004-05:00

ART & SCULPTURE AT THE DISTILLERY HISTORIC DISTRICT, TORONTO

2011-11-14T07:29:00.004-05:00

The CN Tower

(View from the Parliament Street, Distillery Historic District)

2011-11-13T18:33:00.000-05:00

12 FLAVOURS FOR TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

2011-11-12T17:34:00.012-05:00

CHRISTMAS AT EDNA'S PICKLES

Twelve Flavours of Christmas

On the first day of Christmas

My true love gave to me

An Eggplant in a pear tree

-------

On the second day of Christmas

My true love gave to me

Two Crunchy Gherkins

And an Eggplant in a pear tree

-------------

On the third day of Christmas

My true love gave to me

Three Tangy Limes

Two Crunchy Gherkins

And an Eggplant in a pear tree

------------

One the fourth day of Christmas

My true love gave to me

Four Pear Chutneys

Three Tangy Limes

Two Crunchy Gherkins

And an Eggplant in a pear tree.

-----------

On the fifth day of Christmas

My true love gave to me......

(Carry on with all 12 flavours of Edna’s Pickles)

5 Super Spicy Mango

6 Mild Mango

7 Zucchini Special

8 Hot Triple Mix

9 Mango & Gherkin Mix

10 Sweet Lime

11 Sweet Mango Mash

12 Cranberry Delight

ON THE STREET WHERE I LIVE

2011-11-12T11:13:00.002-05:00

2011-11-12T11:09:00.001-05:00

REMEMBRANCE DAY

2011-11-11T10:49:00.003-05:00

In Flanders Fields

(my favourite poem)

by John McCrae

McCrae was born in McCrae House in Guelph, Ontario to Lieutenant-Colonel David McCrae and Janet Simpson Eckford; he was the grandson of Scottish immigrants. He attended the Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute and became a member of the Guelph militia regiment. The background of his family is military.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie,

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Guirim-ville

2011-11-10T10:54:00.007-05:00

Guirim is a small town in the district of Bardez, north-western part of Goa, India, south of the city of Mapusa, and 12 km north of the capital city, Panjim. Local village affairs are handled by the Panchayat system, under the Mamlatdar's Office located at Mapusa. The village lies west of Bastora hills, with the major arterial Highway 17 passing through this scenic village, famous for the academic institution of St. Anthony's High School at Monte de Guirim.

Guirim-ville

(Tony Fernandes)

Based on and adapted from the song

"Camooweal" by Australian singer, Slim Dusty

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.

Tony Fernandes

2011-11-08T22:19:00.002-05:00

2011-11-07T12:32:00.002-05:00

2011-11-06T10:04:00.002-05:00

GOA'S GRIM SCENARIO (IF MINING CONTINUES UNABATED)

2011-11-04T16:37:00.010-05:00

(AREY! AMCHEM GOA KHUIM REY!)

... BUT GOD FORBID.

GOA - TODAY & YESTERDAY

2011-11-04T16:37:00.009-05:00

View of Candolim Church from Sinquerim.

Goa - Road to Church of St. Anne, Parra.

Goa - A typical house at Yuletide

FROM AN EYE OF AN EAGLE

2011-10-26T20:04:00.003-05:00

FROM AN EYE OF AN EAGLE

by Tony Fernandes

Author of: Goa - Memories of My Homeland

Soaring high, but just below the enormous grey clouds preceding the onset of monsoon, I break away from the usual routine with the rest of my siblings. I decide to glide leisurely alone over the mighty green peaks of the Western Ghats. Banking steeply to the left I cruise on my usual early morning aerial reconnaissance flight westerly along the river on the northernmost tip of this small but enchanting state. The view is simply breathtaking, the cool air invigorating. Nothing could be better than this.

Today I am flying solo on a survey mission of this beautiful land – renowned for its pristine beauty, magnificent churches, temples and houses. Its called ‘Goa’ in just three letters. One consonant followed by two vowels. Very easy to remember. No wonder tourists keep coming back.

Crossing the shore-line I sharply bank to the left heading south along the coast. Oh, wait a minute, but what do I see? People have gathered down there below on the seashore pulling something which looks like a fishing net. Nearby, adrift is a country craft with an outrigger. And just west of this boat I see a mechanized fishing trawler. Our poor local guys must be having tough and unfair competition. I remember it wasn’t so when I was younger.

Flying further south I proceed on my assignment I see a huge long chunk of steel. This must be what they call a beached ship, I guess, dangerously close to the shore-line. It also appears that this vessel is precariously tilted and is in grave trouble. I see that no one is at hand to help her. She looks like a princess in distress. Bored with monotonous straight flight I sweep into a full circle over her before heading south again. And oh boy! Before I know it a metallic object just whizzes past below me with a deafening sound in its wake. This must be low-flying training aircraft taking off from the navy-controlled airport. Seems it isn’t safe to fly in this area anymore! It scared the hell out of me. What a narrow miss! Frightened out of my wits I swiftly ascend full-throttle to cruising height. I turn back north-west to the hills taking a diagonal route to my starting point. Will explore this area some other day, I assure myself. At this point I hear crackling on my radio receiver: ‘Eagle Star, Eagle Star - Come in Please - Do you read me? Do you read me? Over’. ‘Reading you loud and clear’, I reply. ‘Please keep clear of the tall masts of the microwave repeater antennas that have been erected all over the hills and avoid low sweeps' comes in a request from the safety department of my home base’. ‘Roger, roger, wilco, Papa Eagle’ I radio back. ‘Over and out’.

Another hot day of late summer. I take off from my perch, flying due south along the eastern border, low over the verdant hills and the magnificent water-falls which still appear like milk from up here albeit pouring like a mere trickle nowadays. Nothing compared to its gushing old times. It wouldn't be wrong to assume that its waters might have been diverted further up east by some ruthless citizens. Suddenly, I see danger as I pass through some turbulent weather. I promptly steer towards the west into a gentle dive over the flat plains of endless fields. I try to follow the shining parallel pieces of steel right below me leading to the coast. Now these must be the age-old train tracks heading towards the harbour. My breed has been renowned for sharp eye-sight. From up here I see what looks like a bus suspended on rails at the port city – Ah! Yes! So this must be what they call sky-bus – out of the drawing board - but still to be tested, I hear. I wonder whether it will glide on rails shortly or whether it will remain only as an experiment for a long time to come. I could easily beat its speed any day, any time, I surmise, whenever that happens.

I also observe that a huge cluster of decrepit buildings and shanties on Vasco beach have been demolished, that had a black mark on Goan soil. It gave the town a bad reputation anyway with the disgusting things that were going on there. I am happy to see them gone. Oh! Good! Fantastic, in fact!

Just then unexpectedly a huge piece of flying metal just above yet again frightens the feathers out of me. Shaken up a little bit I decide to head home. Now that must have been a charter flight! Or was it a military aircraft.

Monsoon is still a few days away. I will then be confined to my aerie. Now is the time to see some more places and enjoy the summer, I thought. So once again I take off on a gliding spree toward the central plains of this enchanting land of captivating beauty. As I cruise south-west I see the sun reflect sharply off the aileron on my left wing. I have tail-wind now, thereby gaining speed. It is quite early in the day, I thought. So I decide to lower my altitude, slow down and take the long way home. Proceeding north by north-west I cruise at about 52 km per hour, my speed being much slower than the suicidal and recklessly driven two, three and four-wheel machines on the winding and extremely narrow roads below. I notice the roads are very narrow, everyone seems to be speeding without obeying the rules and far too many motorbikes. I notice one good thing – some of the good old boys are wearing helmets again. I hope they don’t discard them after a few days. But the drivers and front seat passengers don’t seem to bother to wear seat-belts in cars – perhaps in the near future, I hope!

A moment later out of the blue I again espy twin metal tracks, but this time running north-south across the entire length of this picturesque land. This must be what they call the now-famous “tunnel-railway”, I guess. I have learned that it passes through innumerable tunnels. Unfortunately it is beset by land slides and rock falls. The overall space taken up by these tracks must be running into acres and acres of arable territory. I follow these tracks for some time. But I get bored after a while. So I opt to turn homeward directly north-west.

Directly ahead of my flying route I have a very clear view of the vast expanse of the land below me. What I now see is a region that once used to be a fully green district of majestic steep hills. To call them hills now would be a misnomer. In sharp contrast, once upon a time, calling this paradise was an understatement. As I look critically with my on-board micro-vision equipment the once beautiful terrain seems red. It appears that it has been mercilessly hacked from two sides. Nearby, in line with my right wing trim, I see a red trickle in the nearby river. Ah! I get it – so this must be the fall-out from the iron-ore being loaded on the barges. This is just my guess. I will get a confirmed report soon. My own assumption is that the change in topography of this land is due to excessive and mindless mining by unscrupulous mine-owners burrowing furiously like there is no tomorrow. Have they any idea about the eventual impact it will have on the environment? I may be wrong, but the damage might have already been done. Displeased with what is going on I head for home after picking up something for a snack on the way.

I have nothing much to do in the afternoon. I have a lot of time to kill. So I decide to accompany my siblings on a hunting trip to the hills further east, almost near the border. Realizing we did not have much luck with this venture we decide to head back and instead we settled on flying in formation for some sight-seeing of the nearby city in the evening. I take up my usual favourite position covering the rear left flank. We cautiously and slowly circle over the capital. Bravo! We notice that a lot of progress has undoubtedly been made. Sadly, one of the downsides is the renaming of some of the old street signs and the vandalizing of a good number of others by some destructive citizens. Due to this anomaly, at one point we almost lost our bearing. We were disappointed and downhearted. Let alone the tourists, but the very citizens of the land might be getting disoriented when they come home on holidays!

Using the expertise of our experienced navigator we managed to maneuver out of the city. Luckily we did not get lost in this beautiful and historic metropolis. We had enough for the day, I thought, because our squadron leader then signaled the rest of his siblings to head home before nightfall and stay out of trouble.

Tomorrow is another day. There is undoubtedly more to explore.

Tony Fernandes

Author of “Goa – Memories of My Homeland”

I FORGOT TO LIVE!

2011-10-25T11:33:00.004-05:00

I FORGOT TO LIVE!

Please double click on picture for an enlarged image.

(From the 'Catholic-Christian Secular Forum' Mumbai, India)

A BETTER PLACE

2011-10-24T06:21:00.002-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4mylwPMPhM

WORLD MISSION SUNDAY

2011-10-23T04:23:00.012-05:00

WORLD MISSION SUNDAY

Today is World Mission Sunday. Here is my faint recollection of how it was celebrated, when I was very young, by the fathers,

brothers, teachers, students who volunteered with their efforts and also by the

people from Guirim and surrounding areas who patronised the occasion with their

active support and participation in one way or another. This article was first

written and published for circulation via Goanet Reader, a part of the

Goanet to give a voice to the diversity of the Goan experience,

in cyberspace on Sunday 22 October 2006.

MISSION SUNDAY AT MONTE (circa 1957) by Tony Felix Fernandes

From the first day of the academic year, the thin blue book, otherwise known

as the school calendar, played an important part. It became a integral part of school

and outlined events for the entire year. It was like a central figure among other thicker

books of different subjects. It was of course none other than the school calendar.

It had its own distinct outside appearance - school’s name at the top, its shield

along with the timeless and memorable caption ‘AD ARDUA’ just under it.

It could be easily identified along with the students name, class and division

at the bottom.

Felicio often glanced through the pages in order to see what significant events

and holidays lay ahead that were mentioned in the calendar. One of the important

dates mentioned therein was Mission Sunday - the second last Sunday in the

month of October. Young Felicio looked forward to this day from the beginning

of the academic year that started on June 6th. He had learned that it was a day

dedicated to the Catholic Missions all over the world.

There was quite an activity going on at the school prior to this eventful day at

Monte, in preparation for Mission Sunday. Manystudents volunteered, taking part

and organizing the occasion, with the help of Teachers, Fathers and Brothers.

The day began with a special Mass. The fun-filled event followed immediately

after lunch.

Felicio was a day scholar. He lived just down the hill and across the fields.

Soon after lunch he joined other boys who also climbed up the hill to finally witness

what they had so far been earnestly hoping to experience. As Felicio approached the

Cross up the winding slope that led to the Chapel, he was amazed to find that the

place was already bustling with activity. He could hear the different mingling of sounds

– music and the usual din of a bustling fair. Was he late? Did he miss something?

Felicio’s legs ached as he anxiously raced up the steep slope. He had tried to take

a short cut through the cashew trees on the northern side of the hill and he found

out to his dismay that it had been a difficult walk, as his classmates had warned him.

As he finally made it to the chapel courtyard, he wished he could rest on one of the

red-cemented benches under the giant nunerca tree. But to his surprise that particular

area was occupied by a group of boys who were quite engrossed in singing. One the

boys was strumming on the guitar. That must be the impromptu school beat group,

he thought! Luckily the music seemed to have soothed his aching knees and throbbing

chest. All the boys were dressed in their Sunday best. Felicio had donned his slightly

loose blue shirt and favourite black trousers that he hoped would fit him well by

Christmas! ‘Vaddtea angar’ all over again.

He was astonished to see so many different stalls set up all around the perimeter

of the courtyard of the chapel. There were also game booths set up along the corridor

leading to the junior dormitory. After an initial survey of the grounds and looking over

at all the booths, he decided that he should try his luck at some of the games like

‘feed the tiger’, ‘test your nerves’, ‘wheel of fortune’, ‘light the candles’, ‘drop the

coin in the tub’, ‘find the treasure’, ‘shoot into the net’ and other games of skill.

He was happy to see some of his classmates having taken charge of some booths,

while others were helping around various other tasks. He hoped that the following

year they would let him participate in helping out too.

Felicio had been looking forward to this Sunday. He had been told by one of the

Fathers what Mission Sunday was all about during the previous week at the ‘Religion’

period. He had gone home that day and told his mother about this forthcoming event

to be held at the school. His mother had given him some money to spend on that

occasion. It wasn’t much of a sum in cash, but now the time had come to use it

successfully and have some fun at the same time. It seemed that a daunting task

lay before him for the time being in handling money wisely. He had to somehow

effectively manage to use that little money equally at all the games of his choice,

giving preference to and trying his hand at some of the games that interested him

the most. It wouldn’t matter if he did not win a prize. At the same time he thought

that winning wouldn’t matter at all since it was all for a good cause - he remembered

what Father had said during the ‘Religion’ instruction period - that the money would

be going towards the Missions and the poor of the world.

Luck was on his side on Mission Sunday, and he had won at a couple of game tables.

One of them was lighting all the candles with a single match stick that nearly singed

his thumb and forefinger. He did not succeed at first. So he moved away, cupping his

right hand fingers with his left. He wanted to put his fingers to his ears as his

grandmother had told him so on several occasions in the past, but he shied away

from doing that, thinking that he would make a public laughing stock of himself.

Instead, he intently watched other boys and instantly understood that the trick was to

actually start with the right hand and carefully transfer the burnt-out end with the left

hand. And he had succeeded. But some boy behind him said: Not allowed! Not allowed!

That had been a favourite phrase of students those days. He had not looked back to

see who he was, lest he lost his concentration. It was perhaps his class mate Anthony

who always joked around, or perhaps had run out of money already! Later he thought

that he should try his hand at feeding the tiger. At first he was very anxious to try this

game, but as there were so many big boys gathered around the area, Felicio thought

that he would make a tragic fool of himself, and so he changed his mind and walked

away. He noticed that the tiger’s mouth was too small for its body size and he was too

far away!

He wandered about in the environs for a while, talking to some of his classmates and

watching others try the various games of skill. Then as he casually turned around he

saw a Volkswagen Beetle suddenly pull up near the Cross. It was the second time that

he had seen this car at Monte. He paced slowly around it in awesome wonder and was

reluctant to take his eyes away from the automobile. Unlike the trucks that hauled

fire-wood up the slope, the engine of this car was running whisper quiet. No wonder

he had not heard it pull up.

Later he decided to give a listen to the school musicians who were playing and singing

on the south-west corner of the fair-grounds. He noticed that it was led by a student

who played the guitar. He was a boarder. His parents were in East Africa. Felicio had

watched him practice in the same place during the afternoon recess several times

before and had admired at his skill. He was in a higher class. He sang‘Three coins

in the fountain’, followed by a song that went something like: “Have faith, hope,

and charity... that's the way to live successfully." Other boys were singing along

too and clapping hands keeping up the tempo and the singer’s enthusiasm.

They had chosen the right songs, Felicio thought, as it seemed that ‘the three Coins’

referred to the few coins he had still left in his pocket - as he constantly reached into

his pocket to make sure they he did not lose them; and ‘faith and hope’ he thought

implied that he must have faith in himself and hope to win at least some of the games

of skill, while ‘charity’ suggested that he should not worry if his efforts went the other

way!

Just then he noticed that a group of boys had gathered near the balustrade surrounding

the Cross. From that cluster came music that sounded like a radio broadcast. He was

curious to see what it was. Fellow students had circled another ex-student visiting

Monte that day, showing off an amazingly tiny radio that fitted so well into his breast

pocket. Felicio would later come to know that it was one of our world’s great invention.

It was called ‘the pocket transistor radio’ that he had seen at Monte for the first time.

It seemed the afternoon had passed away so quickly. Felicio had thoroughly enjoyed

himself. The pocket radio and the Volkswagen Beetle had made his day.

From he top of the plateau and standing there at the white balustrade surrounding the

Cross he could see the vast stretch and expanse of the Arabian Sea, the hills of Saliga

and Sinquerim to the south, and Baga and Anjuna towards the north. Time had usually

stood still at this very spot many times before, especially during afternoon recess when

he had admired this spectacular scenery. But it had definitely not on this day. The sun

was seemingly all set and ready to plunge gradually into the horizon for a night’s repose.

Suddenly, Felicio realized that he had ahead of him a long way to walk home before dark.

But not until he had tried his hand at ‘feed the tiger’. So, without further ado

Suddenly, Felicio realized that he had ahead of him a long way to walk home before

he proceeded straight to the booth. That was Felicio’s final personal mission.

He had almost forgotten to get his courage back to check that one out.

He felt for the last remnants of small change he had left in his hip pocket.

He would certainly not leave without feeding and taming the tiger.

Let the big boys laugh if they wanted to, should he fail in his endeavour to throw

the ball through the tiger’s mouth. And he had dared and won – he had fed the tiger

with the last ball. It had been a great and enjoyable day.

It was called the Mission Sunday. Ad Ardua. True to the cause.

Tony Fernandes

Class of 1964

St. Anthony’s High School, Monte de Guirim, Goa

SONGS FOR HER - BUT THEY COULD NOW BE YOURS

2011-10-22T19:54:00.011-05:00

ESSENTIALLY, THESE ARE

SONGS FOR HER

BY SHAWN EVANS

BUT ALL THESE SONGS

COULD BE YOURS FOR ONLY $ 6USD

JUST DOWNLOAD THEM

by clicking on the link below:

http://shawnevans.bandcamp.com/

Digital Album

Immediate download of 5-track album in your choice of MP3 320, FLAC,

or just about any other format you could possibly desire.

Buy Now $6 USD or more

5 Original Tracks

1. Song for Her

2. Better Because of You

3. Do I Even

4. Waterchild

5. Monkey Boy

Released 16 May 2011
Geoff Brennan- Electric & Upright Bass
David Flores - Drums
Camilo Landau - Electric Guitars, Electronics
Marty Wehner - Trombone

Words and Music by Shawn Evans
Produced and Engineer by Camilo Landau
Mastering by John Greenham

ZUCCHINI SPECIAL AT THE O.O.A.K. XMAS Show, Toronto

2011-10-21T06:59:00.012-05:00

Zucchini Special

Zucchini with Roasted Red Peppers

Come and have a taste of this brand new flavour

which joins the ranks of 14 other flavours,

at the 2011 One-of-A-Kind Christmas Show,

Direct Energy Centre, Toronto.

For info. about this show click on

the following link:

http://bit.ly/nRN2AE

Zucchini Special

Blended with roasted red bell peppers and

a host of various Indian traditional spices give 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.

2011-10-20T05:32:00.000-05:00

2011-10-20T03:03:00.000-05:00

Bala Falls, Bala, Ontario, Canada

2011-10-18T10:11:00.002-05:00

Bellissima Bala, Muskoka Lakes, Ontario

2011-10-17T15:39:00.005-05:00

Bala Cranberry Festival, Always the Weekend after Thanksgiving

2011-10-13T05:17:00.006-05:00

http://www.balacranberryfestival.on.ca/index.php/Home

Blooms of the Fall

2011-10-12T12:12:00.006-05:00

Ball's Falls, Jordan, Ontario

2011-10-11T09:29:00.007-05:00

Surroundings

Moss overed rocks

Country Music

Heritage Home

Fall settings at the Falls

Visitors and Vendors at the Country Store

Fiddlers under the roof

entertaining visitors

IRONSMITH AT WORK, Ball's Falls

2011-10-10T21:31:00.005-05:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY

FORGE, ANVIL & HAMMER

Ironsmith at work

Ball's Falls Conservation Area

Jordan, Ontario

Ball's Falls, Jordan, Ontario

2011-10-09T21:23:00.002-05:00

Bridge at Ball's Falls, Jordan, Ontario, Canada.

For an enlarged view please double click on picture.

Ball's Falls, Jordan, Ontario

2011-10-09T20:27:00.000-05:00

THEY ALL LOVE EDNA'S PICKLES

2011-10-08T22:12:00.004-05:00

Customers who love Edna's Pickles

pose with Edna in her booth at the

Balls Falls Thanksgiving Festival

Craft Show & Sale

This is the 37th anniversary of this unsurpassed craft show. More than 140 artisans are featured, as well as live entertainment, childrens attractions, heritage activities and tours. Birds of prey, pony rides, daily.

Balls Falls Heritage Conservation Area.

7th, 8th, 9th and 10th October 2011

Time: 10am - 5pm daily

Admission: $6/person, under 14 free.

2011-10-08T21:46:00.000-05:00

Ball's Falls, Jordan, Ontario

2011-10-08T05:29:00.000-05:00

Bridge at Ball's Falls, Jordan, Ontario

2011-10-07T21:16:00.002-05:00

NEW FLAVOUR FOR THANKSGIVING

2011-10-06T21:09:00.005-05:00

Just to let you know that

EDNA'S PICKLES

has come up with a new flavour called

'CRANBERRY DELIGHT CHUTNEY'

especially for Thanksgiving.

Made in a limited quantity, this delightful flavour will be available only at the Ball's Falls Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts Festival in Jordan, Ontario, and at the Bala Cranberry Festival in Bala, Muskoka Lakes.

This chutney can be best served on toasted bread as an addition to a hearty breakfast or used alongside pork, turkey and chicken main dishes.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

WHEN THE CROWD DREW CLOSER TO THE STAGE

2011-10-03T17:00:00.006-05:00

It was a pretty chill evening outside, but inside the Opera House in Toronto the music was really hot. With one band after another belting their hits and guts out, and putting their instruments and sound systems to the test, finally it was the turn of ADRENALINE CITY BAND to appear on stage, getting themselves and the crowd into the groove.

The band with their music brought the people closer to the stage who seemed to have bonded well with their music. Sheer adrenaline, as the name suggests. In just two words, their music is what I'd call:

SIMPLY COOL

ADRENALIN at the Opera House, Toronto

2011-10-02T15:19:00.006-05:00

Imagine putting RnB, Jazz, Rock, Pop, Soul & Latin into a Funk blender and mixing it up. Embodying the unpredictable energy of Toronto's hip, culturally diverse scene, ADRENALINE CITY BAND is a high-energy outfit with a unique style and sound.

The result: ADRENALINE CITY BAND

The band's line up features homegrown talent as well as players with latin american & caribean roots.

All the musician are well-skilled in the art of funk and have deep understanding that SOUL is:

THE UNIVERSAL INGREDIENT IN MUSIC.

A 5-piece outfit of soulfunky players, the band draws from a wide range of music, the live sets are influenced by:

Stevie Wonder, James Brown, John Coltrane, Grover Washington Jr, Earth Wind and Fire, Paquito D' Rivera, Steve Vai, Chakah Khan and many more.

the band has a powerful groove and improvisational skills, a huge talent that shouldn't be missed.

Alex Mina on the bass and Lalo Hernandez on drums are a super-tight tandem that provide a solid platform for the tasty licks of Don Campbell on guitar & Geoff Bournes sax.

All these wont be possible with a GROOVE-ANGEL giving the band a heavenly sound of vocals performed by

Dahlia Fernandes.

Either you find to be in a lounge bar, private / corporate party or a wedding and you hear ADRENALINE CITY BAND, don't fight the urge to clap your hands, tap your feet & get on the dance floor.

For an "earxperience" not to be missed, ADRENALINE CITY BAND!

Please click on the following link to their website:

http://www.adrenalinecityband.com/

NICKNAMES AT MY ALMA MATER

2011-09-29T16:04:00.008-05:00

Nostalgia of Monte de Guirim

ST. ANTHONY'S HIGH SCHOOL

MONIKERS AT MONTE

Monikers at Monte. They were funny, hilarious and varied indeed, short and to the point. Some were ruthlessly condescending while other were patronizing. Through my entire schooling years the nick-names dragged on and on. They were at times like a stigma. They stuck on us throughout our schooling years and perhaps beyond. They weathered on like permanent labels as we moved higher from one grade to the next. Some were good, others bad. Some were funny, other wild - but most of them were unique in their own way and had a particular sounding ring to them.

Most of the students with nicknames took them in stride without offence, perhaps taking it silently. Some students were bold enough to fight them in defiance. Others just ignored them. Almost all monikers suited well to the traits, habits or temperament of the boys. I remember my own nickname well, and one that I resented. “Funny Faces” they called me. And till today I recall how and when it all began. I was very fond of drawing and improvising cartoons from comic books back then, and that started it all. I could not challenge the onslaught of one full division of over thirty students. Initially I did pick a fight or two – but eventually gave up. Somehow I managed to learn the art of turning a deaf ear and how to ignore my moniker completely, while on the other hand I myself secretly thought of devising a mean name for the name-caller! Too hard to put a stop to it, I thought. It was futile and ineffective – it was dangerously spreading to other divisions of my class. I thrashed some guys my own size, but to no avail. At other times I just put up with the bigger bullies. The name stuck on for years and I finally gave up.

As time went by almost every second student had a nickname as more were added up every year. Later, days and years passed by, we grew up, moved up to higher classes and got more serious about our studies towards the final years - and it was not a big deal or an issue any more. Everyone called the other by nickname anyway! And at most times nobody cared.

Today, in retrospect, I wonder how we could have done and lived without those brilliant nicknames. It was simply plain adolescent fun. School life would have been totally different without them. Some dared to call others by nicknames and nicknames alone – calling by a proper name would be improper, they thought. Probably a few did not. “The Great Nicknames of Monte” I call them – some of which were of the extremely rarest, innovative and most imaginative, of the funniest kind and variety. A nickname described it all – just in a single word.

What probably is not known is how some of those great monikers for a particular student were initiated, and to whom the original coinage would primarily be attributed to. Were they the creations of just one person? Or did a talented bunch of name-callers have a under-cover board meeting during the afternoon recess under the cool shade of the cashew trees down the hill before they set about inventing an descriptive alias for someone else? And then, did this secret organization cast votes on the decided winner? I do not know. Although I knew the student who coined my own nickname, and who I clearly remember to this day, he is still the same – my good old buddy and keeps in touch though not by my nickname. Others perhaps may be unaware of the master creators of the students’ aliases of the times gone by.

If we ever attempted to compile a list of such names, my guess is that it would certainly run into quite a humongous collection to be treasured for posterity. The ‘Nickname Register” would surely bring back great memories of a bygone era. Some of the nicknames themselves were legends and so were the students with the sub-titles which stood the test of time. Of course, while “Archimedes”, and “Elvis” were named after great men, many were named after regional or global places or territories from which the boys hailed from. Others were aptly applied by what the particular student was good at, or may not have been adept at in other cases. Fruity names like “Water Melon”, and veggie names like “Bendo” still come to mind. “Mad Scientist”, “ Monkey-nut” and “Matari” were quite familiar alternative designations. The water melon guy was from the village of Parra - which is famous for water melons. 'Matari' (meaning 'old woman' in the Konkani language, had acted as one in a school play), Mad Scientist was brilliant in Physics and Chemistry, and 'Bendo' (Okra) perhaps because it was his favourite vegetable.

Above all, neither were the Fathers, Brothers and Teachers spared by the students without being re-christened by their fair share of the fraternity of the designer nicknames prevailing in those times either. Of courese, these were only mischievously whispered, and meant for amusement to be shared only among themselves. Surely they would never dare call the teachers by a name other than a respectful ‘Sir’, ‘Father’ or ‘Brother’.

The monikers were ingenious creations of the students, by the students, for the students of this great institution. Nevertheless, they still were students by any other name.

I am certain the tradition of nicknames is still carried on up to this day atop the arboreal surroundings of St. Anthony’s High School, Monte de Guirim.

Tony Fernandes

Class of 1964

Author of GOA – Memories of My Homeland

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUM

2011-09-26T16:09:00.012-05:00

To listen to the song 'For Mama' please press play and turn up the volume

Song: For Mama (1964)

Singer: Matt Monro

Lyrics:

For Mama

She said my son I beg of you
I have a wish that must come true
The last thing you can do
For mama

Please promise me that you will stay
And take my place while I'm away
And give the children love each day
I had to cry what could I say?

How hard I tried to find the word
I prayed she would not see me cry
So much to say that should be heard
But only time to say goodbye to mama

They say in time you will forget
Yet still today my eyes are wet
I tell myself to smile for Mama

Now soon there'll be another spring
And I will start remembering
The way she loved to hear us sing
Her favourite song 'Ave Maria'

Ave Maria

The children all have grown up now
I kept my promise to mama
I cannot guide them anymore
I've done my best all for mama

Ave Maria

Still this seems so very small
For all
She did for me

------------------------------------------

Thanks for listening

MONTEREY AQUARIUM, San Francisco

2011-09-25T12:32:00.005-05:00

The Monterey Bay Aquarium (or MBA, founded 1984) is located on the former site of a sardine cannery on Cannery Row of the Pacific Ocean shoreline in Monterey, California. It has an annual attendance of 1.8 million visitors. It holds thousands of plants and animals, representing 623 separate named species on display. The aquarium benefits by a high circulation of fresh ocean water which is obtained through pipes which pump it in continuously from Monterey Bay.

Among the aquarium's numerous exhibits, two are of particular note: The centerpiece of the Ocean's Edge Wing is a 10 meter (33-foot) high 1.3 million liter (1/3 million gallon) tank for viewing California coastal marine life. In this tank, the aquarium was the first in the world to grow live California Giant Kelp using a wave machine at the top of the tank (water movement is a necessary precondition for keeping Giant Kelp, which absorbs nutrients from surrounding water and requires turbidity), allowing sunlight in through the open tank top, and circulation of raw seawater from the Bay. The second exhibit of note is a 4.5 million liter (1.2 million gallon) tank in the Open Sea galleries (formerly the Outer Bay), which features one of the world's largest single-paned windows (crafted by a Japanese company, the acrylicwindow is actually five panes seamlessly glued together through a proprietary process).^[1]

Sealife on exhibit includes stingrays, jellyfish, sea otters, and numerous other native marine species, which can be viewed above and below the waterline. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is also one of only two aquariums in the world to exhibit bluefin and yellowfin tuna (the other is Aquamarine Fukushima in Japan). For displaying jellyfish, the MBA uses an aquarium called a Kreisel tank which creates a circular flow to support and suspend the jellies. Visitors are able to inspect the creatures of the kelp forest at several levels in the building. The aquarium does not house mammals other than otters.

- Wikipedia -

GREAT NEWS ABOUT THE NEW FERN

2011-09-16T12:32:00.001-05:00

CNE - LAST 2 DAYS - AND IT'S ALL OVER - HASTA LA VISTA - SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!

2011-09-04T07:11:00.004-05:00

LET'S GO TO THE EX, AND WATCH THE AIR SHOW

2011-09-03T07:25:00.000-05:00

LAST 4 DAYS - COME ON, LET'S GO TO THE EX. LET'S GO TO THE PUPPET PAVILLION

2011-09-02T07:25:00.003-05:00

LET'S GO TO THE EX

2011-09-01T06:09:00.002-05:00

C.N.E. ARTS CRAFTS & HOBBIES - QUEEN ELIZABETH BLDG. EDNA'S PICKLES

2011-08-31T07:25:00.003-05:00

HARBOURFRONT TORONTO, HOT & SPICY FESTIVAL - EDNA'S PICKLES

2011-08-31T05:44:00.002-05:00

HAVE A BLAST - VISIT @ednaspickles @HarbourfrontToHOT&SPICY FOOD FEST in Boulevard Tent this long wkend - 11 flavours of Chutneys/Relishes

2011-08-31T05:20:00.000-05:00

LAST FEW DAYS LEFT! LET"S GO TO THE EX

2011-08-30T07:20:00.004-05:00

SAND SCULPTURES AT THE C.N.E.

2011-08-29T07:19:00.004-05:00

COLOURFUL BENCHES IN A ROW

2011-08-28T07:06:00.003-05:00

'THE MIDWAY' - C.N.E.

2011-08-27T07:15:00.002-05:00

RIDE ON THE C.N.E. EXPRESS

2011-08-26T07:21:00.006-05:00

LET'S CHECK OUT THE ROBOT AT THE C.N.E.

2011-08-25T07:16:00.002-05:00

ROBOT AT THE C.N.E