They're still around .... and running.

I've posted a Yugo before, eight years ago, right here, and here's another.  They're still seen (moving) on the streets, too.

Once a year

Once a year and I missed it....this lovely cactus blooms but once a year, and unfortunately I wasn't able to make it over to my friend's rooftop terrace to see it. Going tomorrow....

Thanks, Jasmina, for the photo!

Splish Splash

June has had lots of rain here in Belgrade, often of biblical proportions. Here are water drops and the bubbles they created on the terrace of a friend's house....safely shot through the open terrace door.

See other BWs on THE WEEKEND IN MONOCHROME.

WEEKEND REFLECTIONS--try to dunk one

Difficult to dunk a ball in this reflection in a puddle from our recent, seemingly endless rains.

See other reflections on WEEKEND REFLECTIONS.

Cigar, anyone?

These blossoms on catalpa tree in a downtown park brought back memories of my childhood. They're not visible on this photo yet, but these blossoms will yield large, dark-brown fruit husks in late summer, thus giving the catalpa its nickname of 'Indian Cigar Tree'.

Not a care in the world...

That's the first thought that came to mind when I saw this decoration on a building on a nearby street.

The sculptor modestly covered her up... 

Observation Point

In World War I, after crossing over Albania where it was annihilated, the Serbian Army recovered after a while and occupied its position at the Macedonian front, which spread across the mountain Kajmakčalan in Маcedonia. On the top of this mountain there was the observation post of the Serbian Army High Command.

This monument is located in a park near me,  Pioneers Park, named for Tito's Pioneers Youth Movement. Here's a photo from this blog, where you can read more about them.

Does it matter?

I don't think time matters much if you are an angel; you have endless time. Perhaps these two are struggling to see who will take this clock on the courthouse in Pancevo to the repair shop....it was 10 a.m. when I took this photo.

MONDAYMURALS It appeared overnight....

This mural on a nearby building most probably did not appear overnight, since who can see when it's dark?

However, it did appear very quickly and the fellow here were finishing it off today.

See other murals on MONDAY MURALS.

Update:  They've been working on it every day, and here's an update:

WEEKEND IN BLACK AND WHITE

Here you see leaves from a peace lily, which were a beautiful green like the background. Somehow I think the photo is more attractive in black and white.

See other BW shots on THE WEEKEND IN BLACK AND WHITE.

WEEKEND REFLECTIONS--FAIRY TALE

No fairy tale directly connected with this floating house on the Tamis (TAH-meesh) River in nearby Pancevo (PAHN-cheh-vo), but simply the name of this dwelling:  'bajka' means 'fairy tale' in Serbian.

Wouldn't mind spending time there.

See other reflections on James's WEEKEND REFLECTIONS.

Look upward!

I am a big fan of old doors and have tons of door photos. I like balconies as well, but rarely think to look up from underneath.

But I did here, and saw the loveley underside of an equally attractive balcony in Pancevo.

IMPRISONED

Not really imprisoned, of course, but behind bars in any case.  These brilliant red poppies seemed to be yearning to go beyond the bars of the granary yard that held them.

Apple fritters

Apple fritters are NOT Serbian....but I had a hankering for them, and so there you go. Fried them in coconut oil for extra flavor...and calories.

Kalemegdan on a wall

I have walked on Dositejeva Street many times before, but never looked up to see this facade, which shows a gateway and tower located, I  believe, in Kalemegdan Park. Not sure why these are on this building's wall....

SHADOW SHOT SUNDAY Dipped into the archives

I was shadow-deprived this week. So much rain. These kids would find it difficult to sit like this with our recent rainstorms, so I dipped (pun intended) into my archives for this one, with a shadow.

See other shadows on SHADOW SHOT SUNDAY.

WEEKEND REFLECTIONS: Wasn't there yesterday...

My dog, who looks as if she's snoozing here, was puzzled by the amount of water that appeared in a man-made pond in the nearby park. It literally filled up overnight with rain from a huge 'monsoon' the likes of which I haven't seen here in years.

Makes for a  nice reflection, though.

See other reflections on James' WEEKEND REFLECTIONS.

SKYWATCH--gray sky and crow/s

A bit Edgar Allan Poe-ish.  Our spring was not a pastel one.

See other skies on SKYWATCH.

Remembrance

Just a little over one year ago, my dearest Serbian friend passed away after a long bout with cancer. I miss her, as do many of her friends.

About a week ago, her daughter held a one-year commemoration at the cemetery, as is the custom her. One of the customs is to place a small amount of wheat berry sweet upon which has been poured a bit of red wine and a candle inserted and lit. It was windy, so the candle did not stay lit for long. A priest holds a short ceremony at the grave site.

A moment later, a pigeon appeared. I know it was only interested in the wheat berry, as were its friends in the photo, but it reminded me of my friend's kindness to animals. At her home, she would always feed a dove that would land on her terrace sill. It soon learned to eat from her hand.

Her daughter, who now lives in her apartment, says this dove has not shown up since her mother passed.

An oldie but still goodie

Another old house, now different dwellings, in my 'hood.  I wonder what tales it would tell.

Walking the dogs

Near where I stayed during the lockdown I had seen a man walking several dogs. He certainly has his hands full.

My good friend Jasmina took this photo when we +65 folks weren't able to go out...  Thanks, Jasmina!

MONDAY MURALS: in memoriam

Last March 21st, there was a terrible fire on the 7th floor of a large apartment building in New Belgrade. It apparently occurred when an elderly invalid  was smoking and when he lit a cigarette, his oxygen tank exploded, destroying his own apartment and I  believe three others on his floor and the one above. Six people died, one of whom is the subject of this mural. He was 26 (the 28 on either side of the mural refers to this section of New Belgrade.)

See other murals on MONDAYMURALS.

SHADOW SHOT SUNDAY: Bigger than life

Our May rains brought out the mosquitos...I think that's what it is...along with its shadow.

See other shadows on SHADOW SHOT SUNDAY.

WEEKEND REFLECTIONS--raindrops and trees on a clothesline

In May when this photo was taken we had had a lot of rain. (Mind you, June is NOT much better.)  I was staying at my friend's during the lockdown and here droplets reflect the trees in her yard.

See other reflections on James' WEEKEND REFLECTIONS.

SKYWATCH--teeny, tiny moon

Just a sliver of moon over the facade of Belgrade's Hotel Moskva.

See other skies on SKYWATCH.

I want burek...

Ah, burek, that cheese-filled, crunchy breakfast dish made with phyllo dough....  Heavy stuff, but once in a while I've just got to have it. The ideal burek should not be greasy and not too dry either.

It's so good, and my dog gazed longingly at me, making me feel very guilty.  She got some.

Peek-a-boo

The door beckons you to come in, but the gate was locked...

Irish hands

I spent just over two months during the restrictions/lockdown at a former colleague and travel companion's house here in Belgrade. She's only 3 bus stops away, but the location is a different world from smack downtown where I live: greenery, a garden, calm (even when we're not under lockdown), and the park I showed you yesterday is nearby.

She is  88 years old, very spry, has stories to entertain you for days, loves to garden, travel (when possible!), is a killer Scrabble player, and has a book on just about every subject.  Shes Irish and has lived in "Yugoslavia" since 1958!

She and I traveled to India together twice in the same year about 6 years ago.

Her she is, mindfully chopping onions...

THEME DAY: Parks. 2.38 minutes of pure frog

I know, I know, I said I was not going to post anymore. However, I gave it a second thought, partially thanks to those of you who commented on my 'last' post, so here it goes.

I won't be posting every day...

During the coronavirus debut, I had been staying at a friend's house in a lovely green suburb of Belgrade.

On a dog walk, I visited this park one morning....the frogs were soooo loud, and you can hear them right here.  Turn up the sound and enjoy...they get louder at the end!

I hope that link works...  First time I've posted an audio link.

See other parks on CITY DAILY PHOTO THEME DAY.