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

 

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"Native Stew Take-Away" - Before AI: Pencil
 ©A. Derek Catalano
 
 Download full size: 1248x832

Garbage In, Garbage Out

 

Related article: Be Careful What You Feed Your Mind

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."

Neon Reef - Phone Wallpaper

"Neon Reef" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 3072x5376

 

 "Neon Reef" - Bahamas AI Art
 ©A. Derek Catalano
 
 Download full size: 3072x5376

Do Better Next Time

 

 

"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.

Buy Me a Coffee

 

Thank you for your support: Buy Me a Coffee

Beach Paradise - PC Wallpaper

 

"Beach Paradise" - Bahamas AI Image

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 5376x3072

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:

• ​“Someday”

• ​“Look What Ya Do”

• ​“Its Junkanoo”

​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!

We All Have Faults

 

Related poem: We Are Not Perfect

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:

• interest rates and repayment schedule

• clauses on employment and labour

• dispute resolution and governing law

• 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.

Tropic Jungle - PC Wallpaper

 

"Tropic Jungle" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 5376x3072

"Tropic Jungle" - Bahamas AI Art
 ©A. Derek Catalano
 
 Download full size: 5376x3072

Put Down That Rum

 

Related article: Alcohol Abuse in The Bahamas

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.

Calm Sea Beach - PC Wallpaper

 

"Calm Sea Beach" - Bahamas AI Image

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

Download full size: 5376x3072

 

"Calm Sea Beach" - Bahamas AI Image
 ©A. Derek Catalano
 
Download full size: 5376x3072

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

No Man is an Island

 "Lonely Island" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©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.

Tropic Seascape - PC Wallpaper

 

"Tropic Seascape" - Bahamas AI Image

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 5376x3072

"Tropic Seascape" - Bahamas AI Image
 ©A. Derek Catalano
 
 Download full size: 5376x3072

Break That Habit

 

 

Related article: Quit Smoking

Related article: Cocaine Use and Abuse in The Bahamas

Related article: Alcohol Abuse in The Bahamas

Devynne Charlton Invitational

 

 

Devynne Charlton Invitational

 

Saturday, February 7, 2026

9am - 6pm

Thomas A. Robinson Stadium 

Nassau, Bahamas

 

Age groups: U7 to Open 

 

"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

 

"Tropic Seascape" - Bahamas AI Image

 ⒸA. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 5376x3072

"Tropic Seascape" - Bahamas AI Image
 ⒸA. Derek Catalano
 
 Download full size: 5376x3072

Time is Fleeting

 

Related poem: Time Is Short

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

 

 

 

"The Bus Stop" - Before AI - Pencil
 ⒸA. Derek Catalano
 
Download full size: 912x1136

The Region Bells - Send Down Fire

 

 

 

The Region Bells - Send Down Fire

 

Visit my Vintage Gold Bahamian Music 

Friends of the Environment January E-News

 

Friends of the Environment  January E-News Preserving the environment of Abaco through education, conservation, and research facilitation. Learn More Dear Readers, At a time when so much in the world can feel uncertain, I would like to pause and express our sincere gratitude for you. Not only for your support of FRIENDS — which we deeply appreciate — but also for the everyday acts of kindness, stewardship, and sustainability you practice. Our FRIENDS community is truly special. Even when we are not physically together, we are making a difference. Each small action, when combined with others, creates a powerful and lasting impact. Just as importantly, your actions inspire those around you — your children, colleagues, and friends — who learn from your example. Every one of us has the ability to create positive change. Sometimes it begins with simply taking the first step. If you ever feel inspired to do more for the environment but are unsure where to start, please know that we are always here to help and support you. Thank you for being an essential part of the FRIENDS family and for the difference you make every day. Best wishes, Olivia Patterson Maura Executive Director 2026: A Look Ahead

The Sir Durward Knowles National Junior Sailing Championship

 

The Sir Durward Knowles

National Junior Sailing Championship

 

February 19-21, 2026

Montague Foreshore

Nassau, Bahamas 

Don't Quit Now

 

Related poem: Don't Stop Now

The Lazaretto - UPDATED

 

 

 

"The Lazaretto" - ⒸA. Derek Catalano

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! February-June, 202^ PAB Black Box Theatre Call NOW to book!

 

Supreme Court

 

 

By The Bahamianologist on February 3, 2026

 

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>>

 

Don't Delay, Act Now

 

Related poem: Get Past Fear

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.

Dingy Bay - AI Redo

 Something I drew many years ago and had it redone with AI.

"Dingy Bay" - After AI - Acrylics
 ©A. Derek Catalano
 
 Download full size: 1184x864

 

 

 "Dingy Bay" - Before AI - Pen and colored pencils
 ©A. Derek Catalano
 
 Download full size: 1184x864

 

Learn from Yesterday, Live for Today, Hope for Tomorrow

 

 

Related poem: Continue To Dream

Together In Harmony

 

 "Peace on Earth" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

Together In Harmony

In the corridors of history, where the ancient shadows lie,
We have built up mighty fortresses beneath a heavy sky.
We’ve carved the world in segments, drawing lines upon the sand,
With a prejudice for borders and a claim on every land.
We have looked upon our neighbor with a cold and wary eye,
Letting differences of color or of creed become a lie—
A lie that says we’re separate, that we’re cast in different molds,
While the story of our common heart remains a tale untold.

But the winds of change are stirring in the valley of the soul,
A whisper growing louder that we finally must be whole.
For the steel of every weapon and the fire of every war,
Has never brought the solace that our weary spirits implore.
We have marched through centuries of grief and bitter, hollow pride,
With a chest of heavy secrets and no place for them to hide.
Yet the morning light is breaking on a vision wide and vast,
Where we lay the heavy armor of our prehistoric past.

Imagine now a kingdom not of silver or of gold,
But a commonwealth of kindness where the truth is finally told.
Where the language that we speak is not a tool of sharp deceit,
But a bridge of understanding where the mind and spirit meet.
Where the labels we’ve inherited—the "them" and then the "us"—
Are dissolved like morning mist beneath a light of mutual trust.
For the skin is but a garment, and the faith a different song,
In a choir where every melody has always did belong.

Papua - AI Redo

Something I sketched many years ago and had it redone with AI. I used no reference image so there are some elements that may not fit, but I do what I like.

"Papua" - After AI - Water colours

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 1024x1536

 

 

"Papua" - Before AI - Pencil
 ©A. Derek Catalano
 
 Download full size: 1024x1536