Everyone enjoyed the mouth-watering coconut meat and juice. The coconut they thought was only real in fairy tale was "really real" they can see them with their own eyes and eating the white tender succulent meat piece by piece and drinking the water juice so sweet to the last drop.
"Coconut tree is known as the tree of life!" Panfilo told the children." Everything in this tree can be used for so many things. For too many purpose and usage and most of all it's very fortunate of them to be stranded in such a beautiful island. We are so lucky."
"Indeed! We are lucky than ever!" Mila and Tamara blurted in the same line that made the elders chuckled.
"Okay children it's about time. We'd better get into the tent for bedtime. It's not that we dreamed of being here sleeping in the middle of nowhere but we need some sleep and rest, it was such a long day." Grandpa told everyone. Grandpa and Grandma looked so tired. After all they were already age 70. Too old for this kind of voyage. Too old for so many hardship.
While inside the tent they all recited a solemn prayer of a peaceful night and guidance. Thankful for their lives were spared from the violent storm and for the many blessings surrounding the island. It would be one heck of a day tomorrow and they sleep soundly until at dawn when they heard loud thunder and lightning flashing back and forth. The rain started to pour but not that strong enough to wreck the strong tent made of hundred percent water repellant fabric. The same kind of fabric used for umbrella but durable enough to withstand wind and water. The pegs are sturdy made of metal and hard wood. The ropes they used are made from abaca which is known for its durability. They also have nylon cords for dual utility. On top of the tent is the big sail overlapping the many coconut leaves they painstakingly had woven for the roof, altogether unable for the rain to penetrate their temporary shelter. It was chilly for a while but with the wool blanket that they shared with the whole family and clan plus their non-stop novena keep them awake but safe from harm.
THE SPIRIT OF VERONA
Author: E. Verna Turner
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Saturday, October 15, 2011
The Spirit Of Verona - Page 5
The teenagers and kids brought dozen of ripe and medium ripe guava to their elders for them to share. Then they helped their parents unload the rest of the stuff, trunks and other loads from the big boat. Some of the wet clothes and linens were spread under the sun on the sandy shore. Bianca took a long rope and tied it from end to end on two coconut trees. The children hang their wet clothes and blanket. The sunny sky cooperates and with the wind blowing and cooling their dress, shirts and pants were dry after an hour except for the thick wool blanket which are half-dry. It was past 2:00 pm when they noticed greyish cloud.
"Children you all should gather the rope from the boat, take the extra sail, turf, and the gas lantern and oil lamp," advised Grandpa Gus (pronounced as Gas) "I think there will be another typhoon or hurricane." It's better to be prepared."
Panfilo told the men: Arthur, Elmo, Stephano and Loren to build at least two tent for them to shelter for the night. Loren, Elmo's son climbed the coconut tree and detached some coconut palm leaves from its base with the use of sharp bolo. The teens younger than him asked him what he is doing. But he continued his work, not wanting to answer their question. He unhooked the rope wrapped around from his waist and tied himself to the coconut trunk, this time he was seen gathering coconuts and dropping each nut on the ground. After all the leaves shaped like a sheath-shaped canoes, he went down and gather some of the leaves. Then he ushered the kids to gather some firewood.
While Arthur and Elmo are busy building the tent, Loren and Stephano are building a make-shift house made of coconut leaves. For the posts they had to cut the mahogany trees. With everyone helping out the two tents and the temporary house made of coconut leaves were ready at about 6 pm. They gathered rocks and formed in a circular formation and at the center they had those firewood made of dried twigs and cogon grass. The kids brought box of crackers that they can nibble while they wait for the elders to cook. Dried fish and bread and some grapes. They brought lots of grapes. Signorina Bianca's family owned a winery. Their 20 acre land was a vineyard. Loren, the oldest of the teens and kids in the clan cut some of the coconut in halves never letting go of the coconut juice and poured the juice in stainless cup...and on another cup until everyone had the sweet juice from the coconut.
"This coconut juice will give us the extra strength, vigor, and might be the source of youth!" He made a toast to everyone.
Almost everyone laughed. "You believe such crazy story eh?" Grandpa had his cup up high and toast with him and everyone. All together they cheered in so much gladness and they waited for the hurricane to come.
The wind was just blowing mildly this time. The boat was about to be ready for the next sail maybe tomorrow. Actually the elders finished with the repair yet they are waiting for the children to find out if the island is just right for them to stay instead.
THE SPIRIT OF VERONA
Author: E. Verna Turner
"Children you all should gather the rope from the boat, take the extra sail, turf, and the gas lantern and oil lamp," advised Grandpa Gus (pronounced as Gas) "I think there will be another typhoon or hurricane." It's better to be prepared."
Panfilo told the men: Arthur, Elmo, Stephano and Loren to build at least two tent for them to shelter for the night. Loren, Elmo's son climbed the coconut tree and detached some coconut palm leaves from its base with the use of sharp bolo. The teens younger than him asked him what he is doing. But he continued his work, not wanting to answer their question. He unhooked the rope wrapped around from his waist and tied himself to the coconut trunk, this time he was seen gathering coconuts and dropping each nut on the ground. After all the leaves shaped like a sheath-shaped canoes, he went down and gather some of the leaves. Then he ushered the kids to gather some firewood.
While Arthur and Elmo are busy building the tent, Loren and Stephano are building a make-shift house made of coconut leaves. For the posts they had to cut the mahogany trees. With everyone helping out the two tents and the temporary house made of coconut leaves were ready at about 6 pm. They gathered rocks and formed in a circular formation and at the center they had those firewood made of dried twigs and cogon grass. The kids brought box of crackers that they can nibble while they wait for the elders to cook. Dried fish and bread and some grapes. They brought lots of grapes. Signorina Bianca's family owned a winery. Their 20 acre land was a vineyard. Loren, the oldest of the teens and kids in the clan cut some of the coconut in halves never letting go of the coconut juice and poured the juice in stainless cup...and on another cup until everyone had the sweet juice from the coconut.
"This coconut juice will give us the extra strength, vigor, and might be the source of youth!" He made a toast to everyone.
Almost everyone laughed. "You believe such crazy story eh?" Grandpa had his cup up high and toast with him and everyone. All together they cheered in so much gladness and they waited for the hurricane to come.
The wind was just blowing mildly this time. The boat was about to be ready for the next sail maybe tomorrow. Actually the elders finished with the repair yet they are waiting for the children to find out if the island is just right for them to stay instead.
THE SPIRIT OF VERONA
Author: E. Verna Turner
Friday, October 14, 2011
The Spirit Of Verona - Page 4
The family and clan's fixation over that dome-shaped lodestone which they measured 8 meters at the base and 6 ft. tall where their big boat was anchored. How the boat got stuck to the rock is simply incredible. They thought it's because of their engine, the motor and other parts of the boat that's made of metal that attract its properties to the huge magnetic lodestone. It was so dark and hard of stone and the hunting knife was snuggly fastened to its center as if sort of an artifact displayed radiantly on its body. Then they realized they have to hurry up with their plan. Panfilo and the men started inspecting the boat and its cargo. Panfilo checked the boat's problem whether he can fix the boat within a reasonable time so that they can sail back to the ocean and move on to their destination of choice by his father Gustavo.
Mila was asked by Amelia (wife of Stephano and mother of Joseph and Melinda) to help her with Joseph who is still unconscious. Mila thought he is just sleeping and tired of the difficulty in the voyage they had which of course a voyage of hell. Fortunately they were all alive and that's what they were thankful for God whom they believe that they were there in a deserted island breathing in a new air without the smell of stinky coal and other gaseous substance brought on by thousands of farm animals.
Mila who was a freshly graduate from university and has a degree in Medical Technology brought her medical kit with her and check Joseph. She checked his breathing which is normal. But why he is not awake until now is simply a puzzle. She yelled at him and wake him up touching his face but there is no movement whatsoever. She wants to try CPR to resuscitate him...just in case but there is no need for that kind of situation. He is either sleeping and dreaming not wanting to wake up. So she took a bottle of ammonia and poured a tiny bit amount of ammonia, just a little drop of ammonia in a piece of cotton and let it closer to his nose. Suddenly, Joseph moves. He opened his eyes, his squinty eyes as he opened and closed his eyes due to the brightness of the sun, and of the sky he screamed.
"Hey it's okay. You are alright! There is nothing to be afraid of." Mila told him in assurance of Joseph who looked so frightened. It's like for a moment of hysteria he is seeing a new world. He looked for his mother right away who was just there beside him together with Mila. Joseph's mother hugged him and embraced her son and told him not to be afraid. Melinda and Stephano hugged him too and Mila soon went to join her own family busy attending to their needs that's after Joseph's family thanked her.
Panfilo and Gustavo told the other men and teens to join them take all the loads and cargo from the boat. They found out that it will take two to three days to fix the boat. For the meantime that the repair works being done they have to stay in the island and find a shelter for them to sleep in.
The island seemed uninhabited. Looks like it hasn't been known or most likely a secluded area hidden from anybody. The teenagers and children wandered around the island while the elders were busy unloading the stuff from the boat.
The island is almost like a treasure island in its appearance. Lots of vegetation, coconut groves abound. Too many fruit-bearing trees. Each one of them gather round one tree with lots of fruits in it. They never seen such kind of fruit in Italy although they have seen some maya birds having a grand fest of those fruits and they started picking the guava. Guava is a tropical fruit with a funny ring or crown on its round shape fruit and has lots of seeds inside. It has a pretty good scent of smell, that it could be made into fragrance or shampoo. Its leaves can be grounded and be used as artificial toothpaste or mouthwash. It sure does has the property of menthol in it. As a matter of fact it has the eucalyptus aroma.
THE SPIRIT OF VERONA
Author: E. Verna Turner
Mila was asked by Amelia (wife of Stephano and mother of Joseph and Melinda) to help her with Joseph who is still unconscious. Mila thought he is just sleeping and tired of the difficulty in the voyage they had which of course a voyage of hell. Fortunately they were all alive and that's what they were thankful for God whom they believe that they were there in a deserted island breathing in a new air without the smell of stinky coal and other gaseous substance brought on by thousands of farm animals.
Mila who was a freshly graduate from university and has a degree in Medical Technology brought her medical kit with her and check Joseph. She checked his breathing which is normal. But why he is not awake until now is simply a puzzle. She yelled at him and wake him up touching his face but there is no movement whatsoever. She wants to try CPR to resuscitate him...just in case but there is no need for that kind of situation. He is either sleeping and dreaming not wanting to wake up. So she took a bottle of ammonia and poured a tiny bit amount of ammonia, just a little drop of ammonia in a piece of cotton and let it closer to his nose. Suddenly, Joseph moves. He opened his eyes, his squinty eyes as he opened and closed his eyes due to the brightness of the sun, and of the sky he screamed.
"Hey it's okay. You are alright! There is nothing to be afraid of." Mila told him in assurance of Joseph who looked so frightened. It's like for a moment of hysteria he is seeing a new world. He looked for his mother right away who was just there beside him together with Mila. Joseph's mother hugged him and embraced her son and told him not to be afraid. Melinda and Stephano hugged him too and Mila soon went to join her own family busy attending to their needs that's after Joseph's family thanked her.
Panfilo and Gustavo told the other men and teens to join them take all the loads and cargo from the boat. They found out that it will take two to three days to fix the boat. For the meantime that the repair works being done they have to stay in the island and find a shelter for them to sleep in.
The island seemed uninhabited. Looks like it hasn't been known or most likely a secluded area hidden from anybody. The teenagers and children wandered around the island while the elders were busy unloading the stuff from the boat.
The island is almost like a treasure island in its appearance. Lots of vegetation, coconut groves abound. Too many fruit-bearing trees. Each one of them gather round one tree with lots of fruits in it. They never seen such kind of fruit in Italy although they have seen some maya birds having a grand fest of those fruits and they started picking the guava. Guava is a tropical fruit with a funny ring or crown on its round shape fruit and has lots of seeds inside. It has a pretty good scent of smell, that it could be made into fragrance or shampoo. Its leaves can be grounded and be used as artificial toothpaste or mouthwash. It sure does has the property of menthol in it. As a matter of fact it has the eucalyptus aroma.
THE SPIRIT OF VERONA
Author: E. Verna Turner
Thursday, October 13, 2011
The Spirit Of Verona - Page 3
Total darkness and silence. Only the blowing of gusty wind can be heard and the wild splashing of turbulent waves remained in the depth of the night.
It was bright and sunny the next morning. Peace and quiet.
Mild humidity can be felt but the air seems fresh and ....there is so much green! Lush of greenery in this place. The vegetation and the trees are freshly abundantly green. One more time Mila opened her eyes. She closed her eyes again. She thought she was dreaming. She got up and made noises.
"Wake up everybody!!!!!" She shouted and yelled in excitement. "Mama, wake up! She tried to wake up Bianca who was unconsciously lying on the cabin's floor, almost submerged halfway through the dirty water, together with her other children. Aunt Juanita was awake but had bruises on her arms and legs.She couldn't scream and complain how badly it hurt. She doesn't know where Uncle Elmo (her husband). Her son Loren was at the upper deck together with Panfilo, Arthur and Grandpa Gustavo. Stephano and his family, who were Bianca's family servants were in another cabin. They were all in good condition except that Stephano's son Joseph is still unconscious. Grandpa Gustavo said he is probably tired but he is not harmed in anyway. Arthur's family : Josephine Keeping, and three daughters were all wide awake. Mila's loud noise was herad earlier and they all got up immediately and then proceed to the upper deck. The lower deck of the boat is flooded. The water is up to their knees. They have to get out.
While they were at the shore staring at their boat anchored the black rock. It was such a huge black rock standing at the sandy beach.
"Grandpa what kind of rock is that?"" Cadee asked his grandfather curiously. "It was so big! It's my first time to see kind of rock and it's black as if it's a giant magnet!"
"Hmmm...you think it's a giant magnet? It might be a lodestone. Maybe is." Grandpa Gustavo said in all curiousity touched the black rock shaped like a dome.
"Well the only way to find out is...Panfilo grabbed his hunting knife and throw it on the big black stone. Everyone's eyes were fixated on the knife as it attached to the stone tightly. It didn't even fall.
"You are right, Father! It is a huge magnet!" Panfilo told Gustavo and pat his back. I think we'll be in a great adventure of a lifetime we wont ever forget.
THE SPIRIT OF VERONA
Author: E. Verna Turner
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
The Spirit Of Verona - Page 2
In the middle of the night of that fatal December month, cold and with a heavy heart Signorina Bianca and her family and clan have to leave right away. The fascist movement are getting unruly and creating so much troubles on the street, on the roads, and the villages are being burned down. Panfilo Russo was seen rushing to the house made of stones and bricks and ushered his family to get ready as soon as possible. Together with their six children they hurriedly board their family yacht. The rest of the clan boarded with them. As their yacht were sailing fast speeding to the horizon beneath the waves in a very dark water all they can see from the shore, from the island are so much chaos. Loud noises, canons blasting, houses on fire. There were loud screaming and yelling. The loud blasting and wild pandemonium couldn't help Bianca's tears flowing uncontrollably down her cheeks to her neck and her family embraced her tightly and cried with her. "Don't look back," Panfilo told her. "I think... you and the women and children should stay in the cabin and all the men, the robust men will stay here and take care of everything," he advised and commanded the clan to stay calm also and everything will be alright.
It was a long journey. Sailing through the Pacific ocean is a daring escape. Only the braves and the well experienced can tread on this water. But there is no other choice. Leaving the life, affluent life they once enjoyed in Italy is joyous however when another kind of government is taking over then it's time to leave. It's time to save their lives, their skin from slavery.
Panfilo Russo once in while checked the engine and commanded Arthur Keeping and Stephano Millan to have watchful eyes. He need their sharp vision and alertness. Grandpa Gustavo is already old but his sharp mind and his knowledge about the map, geology and use of navigation devices is worthy of help to their survival. Of course Gustavo's wisdom is a sure winner. We need Grandpa for his wit and his religious belief that keep their family pray together, stay together. Religiously, they are family of devoted Catholics.
There are too many hindrances to survive along the treacherous Pacific ocean. There are lots of sharks, schools and multitudes of them. There are typhoon and hopefully no tornado. There can be giant rays, and dolphins and tuna. Tuna, the bluefin tuna is a surprise meal for them not sharks.
His children hated sharks so much and no matter what they read from old books of a bowl of shark's fin is not that impressive. Sharks are cold blooded. Just the smell of a tint of blood can make them wild and circle through its prey. No way that they be a meal for these wilds.
While all the women and children were inside the cabin, fast asleep trying to sleep actually despite the many unfavorable circumstances that they've been through and all the men up there above the cabin watching the sail and the unknown route their boat will pass through. Then suddenly wild waves sent in turbulent motion, tossing and sloshing the boat as if they were in a hammock. One of the children screamed, " Mamaaaaaaaaa I don't want to die yet!" Sobbing and crying the rest of the women cannot help screamed and asked for assistance from the men. But the men cannot hear their loud cry for help. There was a big storm and cold water splashing the boat, tossing it to the right and left side of the ocean water. The men were able to maneuver the stirring wheel and have the boat away from the oncoming turbulent wind. Shattering loud noises were heard and the gushing water started to fill in through the open haul of the boat.
Nerve-wrecking situation lead the whole clan in panic. They escaped the fascist nazis but they think they wont be able to escape nature's fury of the Pacific storm.
THE SPIRIT OF VERONA
Written by: E. VERNA TURNER
It was a long journey. Sailing through the Pacific ocean is a daring escape. Only the braves and the well experienced can tread on this water. But there is no other choice. Leaving the life, affluent life they once enjoyed in Italy is joyous however when another kind of government is taking over then it's time to leave. It's time to save their lives, their skin from slavery.
Panfilo Russo once in while checked the engine and commanded Arthur Keeping and Stephano Millan to have watchful eyes. He need their sharp vision and alertness. Grandpa Gustavo is already old but his sharp mind and his knowledge about the map, geology and use of navigation devices is worthy of help to their survival. Of course Gustavo's wisdom is a sure winner. We need Grandpa for his wit and his religious belief that keep their family pray together, stay together. Religiously, they are family of devoted Catholics.
There are too many hindrances to survive along the treacherous Pacific ocean. There are lots of sharks, schools and multitudes of them. There are typhoon and hopefully no tornado. There can be giant rays, and dolphins and tuna. Tuna, the bluefin tuna is a surprise meal for them not sharks.
His children hated sharks so much and no matter what they read from old books of a bowl of shark's fin is not that impressive. Sharks are cold blooded. Just the smell of a tint of blood can make them wild and circle through its prey. No way that they be a meal for these wilds.
While all the women and children were inside the cabin, fast asleep trying to sleep actually despite the many unfavorable circumstances that they've been through and all the men up there above the cabin watching the sail and the unknown route their boat will pass through. Then suddenly wild waves sent in turbulent motion, tossing and sloshing the boat as if they were in a hammock. One of the children screamed, " Mamaaaaaaaaa I don't want to die yet!" Sobbing and crying the rest of the women cannot help screamed and asked for assistance from the men. But the men cannot hear their loud cry for help. There was a big storm and cold water splashing the boat, tossing it to the right and left side of the ocean water. The men were able to maneuver the stirring wheel and have the boat away from the oncoming turbulent wind. Shattering loud noises were heard and the gushing water started to fill in through the open haul of the boat.
Nerve-wrecking situation lead the whole clan in panic. They escaped the fascist nazis but they think they wont be able to escape nature's fury of the Pacific storm.
THE SPIRIT OF VERONA
Written by: E. VERNA TURNER
The Sprit Of Verona - Page One
The City of Verona once a lovely beautiful town with a population of ten thousands, old and young people from different walks of life. Majority of them from the descendants of the natives from the Northern hemisphere, they were called the Hokkaidos. The Hokkaidos are somewhat related from the populous region of the Ifugaos. As a matter of fact the old chieftain once said that they were also related to the Ainu. The Ainus are native Japanese people from long time ago. To set straight of those facts embodied in the old ancient book that Robert Lordy Green was holding when he gathered some artifacts from the old, old trunk of his late grandfather Logan. Robert was an Archeologist by occupation and Archaeology is his number one source of income. It is his favourite subject in Yale University and his findings led him to his first expedition together with his 3 brothers: Tyre Volt Green, Ramon Viktor Green, William Joseph Green and two scholar students from his own class in Yale. Together they will seek to find the hidden treasures of the Hokkaidos, the Ainus and what it will bring them to Yale and to their families who are most excited when they see the map. An old map ancient as its been torn on edges and stinky smelling almost rotten yet very helpful to their cause.
"I don't mind the fishy smell of this old rotten map as long as its equivalence is gold, silver and diamond." Robert Lordy said to his three brothers. The brothers laughed. "That's right! " Tyre Volt Green laughed with much enthusiasm and eagerness to lead the expedition right away.
While they were all busy packing their gear for the long journey to the unknown place of abundant wealth let us have a momentary scenery of what's happening at the other part of the world.
Year 1900. It was after the taking over of the country Philippines "La Islas La Filipinas" from Spain, the Americans decided to settle to this archipelago. At first it was the American soldiers and their families first to settle comfortably later thousands new Americans came in to stay and live like normal inhabitants of the island. They managed to live for years without complaint and without hesitation. They built their homes in the most frugal colonial way, established better schools, church and government. The Spanish speaking Filipinos learned their culture and their language. It was hard at first but knowing they were out of the bondage of the Spanish regime wherein they had imposed so much tax they have to try this new government. What else to do? They were liberated from the Spaniards who they thought their enemies for five hundred years.
After that Spanish American revolution other countries followed such an unruly succession of trying a new form of government. Philippines from Spanish to American way and then the Italians from Facism to Nazism to Mussolinis and years of turmoil and war after war many wealthy families moved out of the country. One of these well to do movers were the clan of Signorina Bianca. The rich Italian family worried about their wealth being sequestered and their children wont be given the proper education and the lunacy about a form of government that they dislike and feared led them packing their whole lot of wealth, from the smallest biggest furniture that they had were given to the Church but chosen work of art, household keepsake and memorabilia that belongs from their family inheritance and the many important goods and basic needs to survive they will take along their escape from hell.
There is so much corruption and they disliked the kind of environment that settles on greed and misuse of power that they have to leave. They must leave before December 31. They want to celebrate the New Year in another country, in another land. Whatever it takes.
THE SPIRIT OF VERONA
Written by: E. VERNA TURNER
January 16, 2011
"I don't mind the fishy smell of this old rotten map as long as its equivalence is gold, silver and diamond." Robert Lordy said to his three brothers. The brothers laughed. "That's right! " Tyre Volt Green laughed with much enthusiasm and eagerness to lead the expedition right away.
While they were all busy packing their gear for the long journey to the unknown place of abundant wealth let us have a momentary scenery of what's happening at the other part of the world.
Year 1900. It was after the taking over of the country Philippines "La Islas La Filipinas" from Spain, the Americans decided to settle to this archipelago. At first it was the American soldiers and their families first to settle comfortably later thousands new Americans came in to stay and live like normal inhabitants of the island. They managed to live for years without complaint and without hesitation. They built their homes in the most frugal colonial way, established better schools, church and government. The Spanish speaking Filipinos learned their culture and their language. It was hard at first but knowing they were out of the bondage of the Spanish regime wherein they had imposed so much tax they have to try this new government. What else to do? They were liberated from the Spaniards who they thought their enemies for five hundred years.
After that Spanish American revolution other countries followed such an unruly succession of trying a new form of government. Philippines from Spanish to American way and then the Italians from Facism to Nazism to Mussolinis and years of turmoil and war after war many wealthy families moved out of the country. One of these well to do movers were the clan of Signorina Bianca. The rich Italian family worried about their wealth being sequestered and their children wont be given the proper education and the lunacy about a form of government that they dislike and feared led them packing their whole lot of wealth, from the smallest biggest furniture that they had were given to the Church but chosen work of art, household keepsake and memorabilia that belongs from their family inheritance and the many important goods and basic needs to survive they will take along their escape from hell.
There is so much corruption and they disliked the kind of environment that settles on greed and misuse of power that they have to leave. They must leave before December 31. They want to celebrate the New Year in another country, in another land. Whatever it takes.
THE SPIRIT OF VERONA
Written by: E. VERNA TURNER
January 16, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
Easter Sunday, Easter Monday!
Thinking of a better book cover for my next novella. Maybe this photograph above is more appropriate for the book. The title of the book is a secret for now. I have to gather more evidence, facts and mysteries. Without mystery, without profound statements and unpredictability and most of all without paranormal sequences and consequences stories wont be much of interest to the readers.
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