Kieran's Art

  Permit me share with you two precious childhood memories of Papaya ( Carica papaya) The first, nothing like a tree-ripened papaya, orange-red on the inside and out. Honey sweet, delicious to the last bite, especially with a twist of lime. Juice dripping down your hands and mouth made the experience even more memorable. The second is a reference to this delightful tropical fruit as 'pawpaw' in one of my favorite Disney's animated cartoon, ' Jungle Book ' based on the 1894 collection of stories of the same name by the English author Rudyard Kipling . It recalls how a boy brought up in the wild junles of Seeonee Hills (Seoni) in Madhya Pradesh is returned to civilization for his own safety. One of the more playful characters  Baloo the Bear, sings ' The Bare Necessities ' [ click here for video ] to teach Mowgli the philosophy of simple living and finding joy in the present moment - something that I have come to embrace in retirement His message: Don’t worry...

  Today I tried to 'do deer, a female deer' ... I hope you are fawned of it  Now let's talk about Lyme Disease , a menace in the Northern hemisphere, especially when hiking  in summer and spring wherever deer are ... better safe than sorry! Cause : Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium  Borrelia burgdorferi . It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged blood-sucking ticks (also called deer ticks) that attach themselves to the human skin for at least 30-48 hours, so if you remove the tick within 24 hours, you can greatly reduce the chance of contracting this painful immunocompromising disease. Symptoms : Early signs  (within 3–30 days after a tick bite) include: A characteristic skin rash called  erythema migrans develops in 80% of the cases  (looks like a "bull's-eye" in many cases) Fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes Later symptoms  (if untreated) can include: Severe joint ...

  " Operation Cowboy" was the fairytale World War II rescue of the endangered W hite Lipizzaner horses , when 350 American GIs from a cavalry unit in Patton’s Third Army, stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the enemy - battle-weary German Wehrmacht soldiers cradling Mauser rifles - in the Czechoslovakian town of Hostau to fight a common enemy – the die-hard Waffen-SS, in a race to save these magnificent from the fast-advancing fur-hatted Russian Cossacks. The background : The White Lipizzaner horses of the famed Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria, were world-renowned; the purest-bred and finest-trained show horses in existence, they boast an unbroken lineage that stretches back more than 400 years through the Habsburg Dynasty and were prized for their beauty and classical dressage abilities. End of World War II :  At the collapse of Nazi Germany, allied forces were hurtling at breathtaking speed towards Berlin from all directions, and these prized horses caught in the cros...

  Through clouds in soft, dreamy skies, I drift, seeing a cone 'neath my eyes. Two scoops, my mouth wide ajar, Whispers, "Stay where you are"— Awaiting the oohs, aahs and sighs. Two pink scoops of heaven in a cone, One lick and I'm chill to the bone. Each celestial lick an adventure, Summer blues? A distant feature A bliss I can claim as my very own!

  When perchance we do meet 'n my heart skips a beat, that's Amore When I bring you fresh flowers And woo you for hours and hours, that's Amore When the moon starts to shine Will you be my Valentine, Amore  Tell me dear, will you be my spouse My one and only special mouse, Signore Here's the classic Dean Martin of ' That's Amore " https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnFlx2Lnr9Q

  Today's loose watercolor is a Blue-footed Booby .  So put on your dancing shoes, And a one, two, three, four ...  You put your right foot in.  You put your right foot out.  You put your right foot in and shake it all about.  Do the booby-wooby , turn yourself around.  That’s what it’s all about.  The blue-footed booby ( Sula nebouxii ) is a marine bird native to subtropical and tropical regions of the eastern Pacific Ocean, especially around the Galapagos Islands, which has over 50% of the total population. Its most notable characteristic is its blue-colored feet, which can range in colour from a pale turquoise to a deep aquamarine, due to collagens in the skin that are modified by carotenoid pigments obtained from its diet of fresh fish.  Carotenoids also act as antioxidants and stimulants for the blue-footed booby's immune function. Blue feet also indicate the current health condition and age of a booby, therfore blue feet play a key rol...

  (To listen to Sailing by Rod Stewart, visit  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQzB5T_B_iI ) I am sailing, I am sailing Home again 'cross the sea I am sailing stormy waters To be near you, to be free I am flying, I am flying Like a bird 'cross the sky I am flying, passing high clouds To be with you, to be free Can you hear me, can you hear me Thro' the dark night, far away I am dying, forever crying To be with you, who can say Can you hear me, can you hear me Thro' the dark night far away I am dying, forever crying To be with you, who can say We are sailing, we are sailing Home again 'cross the sea We are sailing stormy waters To be near you, to be free

  The Atlantic Puffin ( Fratercula arctica ) is a medium-sized, stout seabird with a short neck, a big head, and a large, triangular bill. Breeding birds have a black, orange, and yellow bill. The bill grows larger and acquires more grooves as the bird ages.  Atlantic puffins are birds that live at sea most of their lives. Puffins have fairly short, straight wings and fly with constant, fast wingbeats. They flap their wings up to 400 times a minute, speeding along in the air at 55 miles an hour, as fast as a car on a highway.  Puffins stand upright on land and float quite easily on water, using their wings as paddles. As they swim, they use their webbed feet to steer, much as a boat uses a rudder.  Puffins eat small fish, such as sand eels and herring, which they hunt underwater. They generally stay underwater for 30 seconds or less, and can dive 200 feet deep and stay down for up to a minute. Puffins spend most of their lives bobbing on the ocean and diving after small...

  Cool cats never quit They say, 'You ain't earned your stripes,  'So just sit quiet, you dumb rookie' Duck their jabs, ignore their swipes Bid your time, you're one smart cookie They see what's outside and box you in Not what's inside, the gifts you bring Break free, don't let them lock you in Just be yourself, do your own thing You're a star, but you just don't know it They'll test you, mark you and grade you Alas, you are much better; time will show it Standardised tests are not how God made you Find your passion and let it shine bright Practice makes perfect, so don't you quit Try again and again till you get it right Blaze brightly across the sky, don't you sit

  Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born in Buenos Aires on 17 December 1936, the son of Italian immigrants. He graduated as a chemical technician and then chose the path of the priesthood, entering the Diocesan Seminary of Villa Devoto.  On 11 March 1958, he entered the novitiate of the Society of Jesus. He completed his studies of the humanities in Chile and returned to Argentina in 1963 to graduate with a degree in philosophy from the Colegio de San José in San Miguel.  From 1964 to 1965 he taught literature and psychology at Immaculate Conception College in Santa Fé and in 1966 he taught the same subject at the Colegio del Salvatore in Buenos Aires.  From 1967-70 he studied theology and obtained a degree from the Colegio of San José. On 13 December 1969 he was ordained a priest by Archbishop Ramón José Castellano. He continued his training between 1970 and 1971 at the University of Alcalá de Henares, Spain, and on 22 April 1973 made his final profession with the Jesuits....

  Happy Easter!  He is Risen!  Glory Alleluia!! For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life ( John 3:16 )

  *Pieta* … a heartbroken mother holding the limp body of her innocent son … as the world turns its back! But that’s not how it ends …

Cheetahs are the fastest land animals capable of achieving up to 70 mph (113 kmph) in short bursts and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 3 seconds—faster than most sports cars.  It has evolved for speed with long muscular legs, a lightweight frame with a small collar bone, a flexible spine, and semi-retractable claws that act like runners' cleats!. Their tail acts like a rudder to help steer during fast chases.  They are not scavengers and hunt only in daylight and use stealth to get within 100-200 feet of prey before a quick sprint. However, because sprinting takes a lot of energy, they only chase for short distances (around 20–30 seconds) and give up if unsuccessful.  While they’re the fastest, they also face lots of pressure to eat fast so as to avoid losing their food to stronger predators like lions, hyenas, or even vultures. Cheetahs also have distinctive "tear lines"—black lines running from the inner corners of their eyes down to the sides of their mouth th...

  Today’s artwork and whimsical poem are titled *Philanderer Jay*  (That’s him bathing to start his day) Philanderer Jay - by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2025 It’s first come, first served at the pool, I go early, when it’s nice 'n cool. I love to make quite the splash,  And charm ‘em Lady Jays in a flash. They call me Philanderer Jay. (I prefer plain ole 'Phil', not PJ) A lady's bird, that's who I am!  A juicy worm for lucky girl Sam. For Lizzy, I have something fizzy. I’ll tango with Tanya till I’m dizzy!  Emma wiggles her bottom as I whistle a tune, One look at June and she starts to swoon. I’ll give it all up for Shae (just so you know) But today’s not my day, she’s a no-show So many beauties, it makes my head hurt One of these days, I'm sure to hit pay dirt

  Loose watercolour painting of a goldfish on 300g cotton paper Who remembers the aptly named ' Fish-N-Fun ' store at the corner of Main Street and Sachpir Street in Poona Camp, diagonally opposite Bata Shoe Co?  Back in the mid-1970s, this dinky little shop was the equivalent of a candy store for amateur aquarists like us. And a veritable feast for the eyes, even to casual passersby, who would stop and gawk. I vividly recall a brightly lit shop, no more than 4 feet wide and about 10 or 12 feet deep, chock-full with small tanks, all neatly stacked, teeming with a plethora of colourful freshwater fish.  At the store's front was a portly gentleman who always smiled; sometimes his equally friendly wife would take his place. He'd patiently responded to all our inquiries about mixing and matching the different fish, and we were like eager beavers hanging on to every nugget of information that would determine how we spent our hard-earned pocket money. Little did we realise th...

  Unlike some wild animals, Red foxes ( Vulpes vulpes ) have adapted really well to human environments. They are the most widespread wild carnivores in the world, found across North America, Europe, Asia, and even introduced to Australia. Don't be beguiled by its cute looks - beautiful reddish-orange fur, white underbelly, black legs, and a bushy tail with a white tip - these wily hunters use problem-solving and strategic hunting techniques, like listening for mice under snow and pouncing with deadly accuracy. Field Marshal (Generalfeldmarschall) Erwin Rommel earned the moniker " The Desert Fox " (der Wüstenfuchs) due to his brilliant leadership and unorthodox, imaginative tactics of the Afrika Korps in North Africa during World War II. His ability to execute surprise attacks and manoeuvre through challenging desert terrain earned him respect from his troops and adversaries. He was known for his chivalry, treating prisoners of war well, and refusing to carry out orders...

  Open your heart - Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2025 Eyes are the windows to the heart, Twas so right from the very start. When we feel low or even a tad blue, As most of us are prone to do. With nary a thought, we shut ourselves in. Hiding our angst, stifling the pain. But our eyes can't hide the trouble, A wee tear can burst our bubble. Windows are meant to be opened wide, To let the fresh air and sunshine inside. To hear the lovestruck songbird merrily sing, To watch the birds and bees do their thing. Why not talk with friends to lift your mood? Share a laugh or memory ... start to feel good. So open the window, breathe the fresh air, Let the warm sunshine gently kiss your hair.

Legend of the Portuguese Rooster The Rooster of Barcelos (Portuguese: Galo de Barcelos ) is one of the most iconic symbols of Portugal. It’s a colourful, stylized rooster that represents faith, justice, and good luck and is deeply rooted in Portuguese folklore and tradition. According to a legend that dates back to the 14th century in the town of Barcelos, in northern Portugal, a Spanish pilgrim was travelling through Barcelos on his way to Santiago de Compostela (a popular pilgrimage to the Memorial Church of the Apostle St James, a site in Spain). The pilgrim was accused of theft, arrested, and sentenced to be hanged, despite his protests of innocence. As a final request, he asked to speak to the judge who condemned him. He was taken to the judge’s home, where a banquet was in progress.  Pointing to a roasted rooster on the buffet table, the man proclaimed,  “It is as certain that I am innocent as it is certain that this rooster will crow when I am hanged.” The judge laughed...

Ranunculus ( Ranunculus asiaticus ) flowers, also known as Persian buttercups, originally grew as little wildflowers native to the eastern Mediterranean region, from the island of Cyprus through Turkey and east to Iran. Fossilized ranunculus seeds dating back 5 million years, from the Pliocene Era. A Persian legend tells of a young prince who fell desperately in love with a beautiful nymph. She spurned his declarations of love time and again, so he died of a broken heart and turned into a ranunculus flower. It grew low to the ground, with five red or yellow petals and a black centre. In Latin, Ranunculus means ‘little frog’. It combines the Latin words: ‘Rana’ (meaning frog) and ‘unculus’ (meaning little). The bulbs flourish near bodies of water and grow naturally along streams, hence this cute little nickname. Over the last 100 years, more than 600 different cultivated varieties have come to be valued for their delicate, ruffled, rose-like petals and come in a wide range of colours (w...

  Alaska cats don't take no crap.  They don't sit in no one's lap.  They don't let you brush their fur  Or have cute names like Gulliver.  They mumble but they seldom purr. Alaska cats are three feet tall.  They drink beer and play pinball.  And you may notice when they call,  They don't wash themselves at all,  Just once in the spring and once in the fall. Alaska cats are always dressed  In jeans and boots and outdoor vest.  It's not stuffed with eiderdown  But hair from dogs around the town -  Some black, some brown. Once a year to hold off famine  They jump in the boats and they fish for salmon  Slap those big fish with their paws  Catch 'em, bone 'em, and then toss  'Em in a pan with catsup sauce. Alaska cats chew catnip snoose  And spit about anywhere they choose.  The freest cat you ever saw.  They have no owners, no leash law -  They laugh at pet cats. Ha, Ha - Ha, Ha - Ha, Ha...