THROW DOWN YOUR ARMS

 Lying just like this, not arranged by me, was this arsenal of plastic weapons in the park downstairs. A momentary truce most likely, but I imagine the battle will begin again when the small soldiers appear.

PLEASE DON'T DRIVE THROUGH HERE

 Across the street from where I live is a large, green expanse, an urban oasis. For how long, no one knows. To discourage cars from parking there, someone set up these creative 'Zen stones'. I love the one with the Ninja band.

MENORAH

 Yesterday marked 17 years since my husband passed away. I cannot believe that this much time has gone by. I miss him daily. My son and I went to visit his grave in Belgrade's main cemetery. Right next door is the Jewish cemetery. I hadn't  noticed before that the gate was designed with a menorah, but the shadow pointed it out to me. 

MONDRIAN LIVES ON

 This shed wall in the village of Deguric reminded me (okay, it's a stretch...) of PIET MONDRIAN'S PAINTINGS. The colors are faded, but all the same, he's there.

NEVER BORED

 That's the truth. I am never bored when I have my camera. Sometimed photos are just staring you in the face, as was this shadow of chains holding up the bench where I was seated.

CONVERSE 2025

 Sneaked a photo of these sneakers at the bus stop yesterday. When I was a kid, only boys wore these 'basketball' shoes, a far cry from the cushy, modern ones. Here are Converse All Stars with flair...

"I'M ALL EARS."

This sheep gave me a fright when I peeked into the window of what I thought was an abandoned stable near DEGURIC, SERBIA, where I recently spent four days in the area's beautiful countryside.
 

HORNET

 Despite its size and menacing appearance, HORNETS, like most creatures, just want to be left alone. So I just sat on the terrace of a rented cottage and watched it and of course, took a photo. 

OLD HOUSE

 A typical Serbian country cottage near Gradac Gorge where I spent a few days a week ago. Entrance on other side and notice that it sits on stone walls.  Space inside is used as a root cellar..

IN THE VILLAGE

 A rooster and his hen (or one of them....) keep a watchful eye on me as I passed their enclosure in the small village of Deguric near Valjevo, Serbia.

PEELING

 Along with my 'laundry fetish,' I also have a 'peeling paint' fetish and often succumb by photographing same when given the opportunity.

DAMSELFLY

 Well, I learned something  on my recent trip to Valjevo, about 70 kms away. I finally was able to capture what I thought was a dragonfly. It flitted here and there and was nearly impossible to photograph. But I did!  I wanted to place a dragonfly link here, but lo and behold, I found out while reading it that dragonflies and damselflies are often confused. So, this is a damselfly and you can read about him or her RIGHT HERE. I guess there are 'boy' damselflies like there are 'boy' ladybugs....

FIFTY SHADES OF GREEN

Unlike the 2015 romantic erotic novel with another color in its name, here are for sure 50 shades of green. I didn't count them, but I bet they're there.

This is a forest in the Gradac area near Valjevo, Serbia, about 70 kilometers from Belgrade, where I recently spent a few days.

HANGING OUT THE LAUNDRY

This scene is not  an extraordinary shot, but something told me to snap a photo. Then I realized that perhaps it was because you hardly ever see men hanging out laundry. Am I right?

HE AND ALL HIS BELONGINGS

 I honestly con't have a comment for this photo other than this fellow did not come across as a usual street person. I wonder what his story is.

CHIEN HEUREUX

 This French dog seemed to be thrilled sitting at a red light.

LENS BALL NOT SO GREAT

 Terrace window. I have got to do better....

DARK FACADE

 The gate and tower on this facade resemble those in nearby Kalemegdan  Park, but no explanation anywhere on the building why.

LAMP POST AND PIGEON

 Just what the title says, plus some flowers.

A PUFF OUTSIDE THE BAKERY

 A bakery worker takes a break outside a bakery in Zemun, a neighboring municipality of Belgrade. 

PARASOL

 I have been seeing more parasols this summer than I ever have before. I don't use one myself, but ladies, do you resort to a parasol to ward off the sun's rays?

GUARDING THE SHOP

 A good guard dog is any dog that barks a lot. I think the  one on the chair would be good at that; if not, the Frenchie is a back-up.

PIPES, POTS, AND PLANTS

 A visit to the neighboring municipality of Zemun yielded this creative, down in the alley photo. Happy Sunday to you all.

COLORS AT THE MARKET

 The green markets here not only sell produce, but a variety of other items like these fans and shoelaces.

THEME DAY-AUGUST 2025--SWEETS

 Serbia does not lack in sweets.  Many are adaptations of desserts from former occupying countries like Turkey or Austria and are usually super-sweet. The ones pictured are from neither of those countnries, but are from the US!  They are banana/peanut butter bars and I'm typing the recipe below. Super easy and not sweet, unless you overdo the honey or add sugar.  See other SWEETS on THEME DAY.

Here's the recipe:  

One mashed banana

2 tablespoons of honey

1/2 cup of peanut butter

one teaspoon of vanilla extract

sprinkle of cinnamon

2 cups of oatmeal (dry)

Mix all; pat into lightly greased pan and chill.

(Note: I bet coconut would be good too if added....)