An old pixel art image of a schooner(bottom) that I created using the Microsoft Paint program back in 2002 and redid with AI as acrylics(top).
"Schooner" - After AI: Acrylics
©A. Derek Catalano
Friday, February 13, 2026
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Facts Not Emotions
"Misinformation Row" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
Facts Not Emotions
We live in a time when opinions travel faster than evidence. A claim can circle the globe in seconds. A rumor can harden into “truth” before anyone pauses to ask a simple question: Is this actually supported by facts?
If we want to make better decisions as individuals and as a society, we have to learn to separate feelings from facts. Emotions are part of being human. They help us care. They push us to act. But when emotions replace evidence, we drift away from reality. And when we drift away from reality, we become easier to mislead.
This essay is not about ignoring emotions. It is about putting them in the right place. Feelings can guide our values. Facts must guide our conclusions.
Native Stew Take-Away - AI Redo
A sketch I drew back in 2010. Had it redone with AI. Also did some tweaks in Adobe Photoshop.
"Native Stew Take-Away" - After AI: Watercolours
©A. Derek Catalano
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Face the World
"Fearless" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
Face the World
When shadows lengthen 'cross the floor,
And doubt comes knocking at your door,
When skies of grey begin to loom,
And silence fills a hollow room—
Do not retreat, do not despair,
For strength is found in morning air.
Arise and shine, the day is new,
The light of hope is meant for you.
The mountains stand with jagged peaks,
To silence those whose spirit speaks,
But you were born with feet to climb,
To leave your mark upon all time.
Stand strong and tall, a sturdy oak,
That weathered every lightning stroke,
With roots dug deep within the soil,
Unbroken by the years of toil.
Be brave when winds of malice blow,
When progress feels entirely slow.
For courage is a quiet flame,
That does not need a loud acclaim;
It’s simply getting up once more,
To face what you have faced before,
To look the monster in the eye,
And tell the darkness: "Not today, not I."
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
The Versailles Gardens of Paradise Island: A Tropical Synthesis of History and Art
"Versailles Gardens, Paradise Island"
©A. Derek Catalano
The Versailles Gardens of Paradise Island: A Tropical Synthesis of History and Art
Introduction
Located on the narrow stretch of Paradise Island in the Bahamas, the Versailles Gardens represent one of the most remarkable architectural and horticultural feats in the Caribbean. A multi-tiered masterwork of landscape design, the gardens serve as a lush, formal sanctuary that leads toward the crowning "Cloisters"—the physical remains of a 14th-century French monastery. While the Bahamas is primarily celebrated for its turquoise waters and coral reefs, the Versailles Gardens offer a profound counter-narrative, blending medieval European stonecraft with the vibrant, untamed beauty of the tropics.
The Queen is Back! Sweet Emily Drops New Single
The Queen of Rake n Scrape, our very own Sweet Emily, has a special gift for everyone this Valentine’s season. She just announced her brand-new single titled “Can’t Help Falling In Love.”
Sweet Emily shared the big news on her Facebook page, showing off a beautiful new cover (check it out above!) and giving us the heads-up that this track is dropping just in time for the holiday of love. Whether it comes out right before or on Valentine’s Day, it’s definitely going to be the perfect song to set the mood.
A Bahamian Legend
We all know and love Sweet Emily for her classic hits that get everyone on the dance floor, like:
She’s been busy lately, too! You can find her featured in the 2026 Bahama Beat Calendar presented by BAF General. She’s standing alongside other Bahamian greats like Shine, KB, Juliet Believe, and Stileet. It’s amazing to see our legends getting the shine they deserve.
Spread the Love
Make sure you keep an eye out for the official release of “Can’t Help Falling In Love.” Once it drops, be sure to share it with your friends, family, and that special someone!
Monday, February 9, 2026
What The Bahamas should do about the China-backed hospital deal - AI Review
"Hospital Deal" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
What The Bahamas should do about the China-backed hospital deal — especially in light of the recent comments by U.S. Ambassador Herschel Walker urging the government to reconsider.
🇧🇸 1. Clarify and Evaluate the Terms of the Deal
Why it matters:
• The current financing — a loan covering around $195 m of a ~$278 – $300 m project — is governed by Chinese law and may involve Chinese labour standards and jurisdiction for disputes, which raises sovereignty and legal concerns.
• The U.S. is suggesting alternative financing that adheres to international norms, potentially with fewer strings attached.
Best Action:
The Bahamian government should publish the full loan agreement and impact assessments (legal, financial, economic, social) so that Parliament and the public can understand:
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interest rates and repayment schedule
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clauses on employment and labour
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dispute resolution and governing law
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what happens if The Bahamas can’t meet repayments
This transparency will strengthen public trust and allow informed debate.
Get a Steady Job
"9 to 5" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
Get a Steady Job
The morning mist is thick and grey, a blanket on the street,
As echoes of the alarm clock start their rhythmic, jarring beat.
They say the world is waiting for the bold and for the brave,
But mostly it is waiting for the worker and the slave.
A piece of sage advice is whispered, often with a sob,
"Forget your dreams of stardust, son, and get a steady job."
It starts with starch and ironed shirts, a tie that’s pulled too tight,
A transition from the dreaming hours to fluorescent, buzzing light.
The cubicle, a padded cell, a square of grey and tan,
The blueprint for the future of a sensible, grown man.
No more the paint-stained fingers or the lyrics on the page,
Just the comfort of a steady hand within a gilded cage.
"There’s dignity in labor," so the ancient masters told,
To trade the fire of youth away for silver and for gold.
To watch the clock with heavy eyes and pray for five o’clock,
While life is ticking, leaking out, like water on a rock.
The benefits are structured well, the dental plan is fine,
It compensates for all the things you’ve left behind the line.
Sunday, February 8, 2026
Bribery and Extortion and Their Detrimental Effects on a Country and Society
"Bribery and Extortion Downfall" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
Bribery and Extortion and Their Detrimental Effects on a Country and Society
Bribery and extortion are among the most damaging forms of corruption affecting countries across the world. While they often operate quietly and behind closed doors, their consequences are loud, far-reaching, and deeply destructive. These practices weaken institutions, distort justice, slow economic development, and erode public trust. Over time, they shape societies where power replaces fairness, fear replaces law, and privilege replaces merit. Understanding how bribery and extortion function and why they are so harmful is essential to addressing their long-term effects on a nation and its people.
Saturday, February 7, 2026
Put Down That Gun
Related poem: Put Down Your Guns
Related poem: Turn Your Life Around
Related article: The Prevalence and Impact of Illegal Guns in The Bahamas
Friday, February 6, 2026
No Man is an Island
©A. Derek Catalano
No Man is an Island
The mountain stands in lonely pride, its peak against the blue,
With granite walls and frozen heart, it needs no point of view.
But man is made of softer clay, of spirit, breath, and bone,
And withered is the soul that seeks to journey all alone.
Though ego whispers of the self, a kingdom for the one,
No flower blooms in shadow-lands without the golden sun;
So too the heart, in silence locked behind a heavy door,
Becomes a shell upon the sand, a ghost upon the shore.
We are the threads of tapestry, a grand and vast design,
Where every color relies upon the neighboring strand of line.
To cut the cord and drift away in search of sovereign ground
Is but to lose the melody and silence every sound.
For in the infant’s first-drawn breath, a mother’s touch is there,
A social contract written in the very morning air;
We learn to speak by hearing speech, to love by being loved,
By countless hands and unseen hearts, our heavy stones are moved.
Consider well the lonely tree that braves the winter’s gale,
Without the forest at its back, its rooted strength will fail.
But when the grove stands thick and deep, the roots begin to lace,
They share the water of the earth, they hold the soil in place.
So let us hold our brother’s hand when shadows start to creep,
And let us share the heavy load when hills are high and steep.
For joy is doubled when it’s shared, and grief is cut in two,
When shared with those who walk the path and see the world with you.
Break That Habit
Related article: Cocaine Use and Abuse in The Bahamas
Related article: Alcohol Abuse in The Bahamas
Thursday, February 5, 2026
Devynne Charlton Invitational
Devynne Charlton Invitational
Saturday, February 7, 2026
9am - 6pm
Thomas A. Robinson Stadium
Nassau, Bahamas
Age groups: U7 to Open
The Societal Fabric Under Strain: Analyzing and Addressing the Social Ills of The Bahamas
"Social Ills of The Bahamas" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
The Societal Fabric Under Strain: Analyzing and Addressing the Social Ills of The Bahamas
The Commonwealth of The Bahamas is often marketed to the world as a tranquil archipelago of turquoise waters and luxury resorts. However, beneath the veneer of this "tourist paradise" lies a complex web of social challenges that threaten the country’s stability, economic growth, and the well-being of its citizens. As of 2026, the nation continues to grapple with deep-seated social ills that are not merely isolated incidents but are symptoms of systemic failures in education, governance, and economic diversification. Understanding these ills—ranging from crime and educational deficits to illegal immigration and income inequality—is essential for charting a path toward a more resilient and equitable Bahamian society.
Tropic Seascape - PC Wallpaper
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
The Bus Stop - AI Redo
A drawing I did many years ago redone with AI.
"The Bus Stop" - After AI - Water colours
ⒸA. Derek Catalano
Download full size: 912x1136
Friends of the Environment January E-News
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The Sir Durward Knowles National Junior Sailing Championship
The Sir Durward Knowles
National Junior Sailing Championship
February 19-21, 2026
Montague Foreshore
Nassau, Bahamas
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
The Lazaretto - UPDATED
The Lazaretto, on Lazaretto Rd., off Carmichael Rd., New Providence, Bahamas. This was a place where those who were afflicted with leprosy were cared for in the early 1900s. I climbed atop a roof and did a sketch looking north(top), then climbed atop another roof and did a sketch looking south(bottom).
The term “lazaretto” historically refers to a quarantine station — a place where people (especially sailors) and goods arriving by sea were isolated to prevent the spread of contagious diseases. Quarantine stations were especially prominent in port cities where epidemics of plague, cholera, yellow fever, and other infectious diseases repeatedly threatened populations before the advent of modern medicine. Read updated article>>
Box Office Open for Ringplay Season 2026!
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1896 and 1996: How Two Supreme Court Acts Transformed Bahamian Law
Supreme Court
1896 and 1996: How Two Supreme Court Acts Transformed Bahamian Law
The Bahamas Supreme Court Act of 1896 represents one of the most significant pieces of legislation in the development of our modern legal system. By establishing a unified Supreme Court with unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters, this Act laid the foundation for consistent, predictable, and professional administration of justice—principles that remain essential to the rule of law today. Understanding the Act requires appreciating why judicial centralization matters, particularly in small island nations operating under the common law tradition. Read full story>>
Monday, February 2, 2026
The Importance and Advantages of Being Well Groomed
"Well Groomed" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
The Importance and Advantages of Being Well Groomed
Being well groomed is often dismissed as a superficial concern, something tied only to appearance or vanity. In reality, grooming plays a much deeper role in personal, social, and professional life. It influences how people see us, how we see ourselves, and how we function in everyday situations. Grooming is not about luxury or expensive products. It is about basic care, self-respect, and awareness of how our presentation affects both our confidence and our interactions with others. When understood properly, being well groomed becomes an essential life skill rather than a shallow habit.
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