Red, red, red.

Some of you are probably going to think I have a 'red' fetish, since I've often photographed, for example, several women here who have brilliant red hair. It's now fall, and in Serbia it is the season for making ajvar , (EYE-var) which you can see in the jar and on the plate. It's made from roasted ground, eggplant, sweet red peppers, and garlic, and is eaten as a spread, an addition to roast meat, or just by itself. Yum. If you like it hot, add a hot pepper or two when you grind it.

And the red tablecloth has been in my family since I was a kid, and that's a long time ago...

So...which one was it?

This sign that advertises an outlet center says, "Every second person at this bus stop didn't know what to wear this morning."

So....was it the guy or the gal?

Bad bubbly, but who cares!

Since I've given my blog a new banner with glasses, it's only fitting that one of the first posts be one with a glass...of Veuve Clicquot-Ponsardin. While my 'kids' were on their honeymoon, I opened a bottle of this champagne that my daughter and son-in-law had bought at the duty free shop on their way here. I wanted to share this bottle with some dear friends who'd flown over for the wedding, both of whom are wine connoisseurs.

"Cheers,' we wished each other, and took a sip. My tastebuds told me that something wasn't quite right, but it wasn't so wrong either...I just imagined I was in a wine cellar drinking champagne, for there was a distinctive musty scent and taste. My friend was sniffing the cork, and I knew what was coming: "Cork taint," she announced. "It happens now and then."

Although she decided not to drink anymore, her husband's first question was, "Will it hurt me?" Upon receiving a negative answer, he and I finished off the bottle....

Wiki says this: "Cork taint is a broad term referring to a wine fault characterized by a set of undesirable smells or tastes found in a bottle of wine, especially spoilage that can only be detected after bottling, aging and opening. Though modern studies have shown that other factors can also be responsible for taint – including wooden barrels, storage conditions and the transport of corks and wine – the cork is normally considered to be responsible, and a wine found to be tainted on opening is said to be "corked". Cork taint can affect wines irrespective of price and quality level. The chief cause of cork taint is the presence of 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA) in the wine. Corked wine containing TCA has a characteristic odor, variously described as resembling a moldy newspaper, wet dog, damp cloth, or damp basement."

I'm none the worse for it...

Skywatch-- Black Crows, Gray Sky

It's been fairly sunny recently, but it is now October, and gray skies may not be too far off.

Take a look at other Skywatches.

Theme Day--Contrast

Too common a scene in major cities. An old woman, who has fallen asleep while begging, sits in front of a fashionable window display.


Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

ABC Wednesday--"K" is for "knot"

Tie the knot is what my daughter and my new son-in-law did on September 19th. The day after, some visiting guests and I took a leisurely boat ride up the Sava River to the village of Jakovo, where I photographed these knots at the Fenek Monastery. The monastery dates from the second half of the 15th century, and the water there is said to have miraculous qualities. I splashed my face....

You should join ABC WEDNESDAY.

Deflowered.... The dangers of macrophotography

I was so excited the other morning when I saw that one of my cacti had blossomed! A first for me! I grabbed my Gorillapod and set it up on my table, along with the cactus. Took a few shots with my 50mm (see above...), then decided to really go close with my macro. A few clicks later, the macro lens was on my Nikon on top of the little tripod. Oh, woe. In my haste, I didn't adjust the little twisty feet on the Gorillapod to support the somewhat heavier macro lens. It tipped over, and the lens hood on my macro lens deflowered the cactus. I was devastated! But at least here's one photo...

Actually, I'm laughing about it now...

Something to remind you...

My wedding guests have all but gone, taking with them fond memories of the wedding and Serbia. They've also taken along a few souvenirs, such as those seen here. The little sparrow, symbol of Belgrade, is wearing a typical Serbian hat, the šajkača, and there are models of typical dwellings and a church behind him. All, including the cute little guy with the candle, are standing on a runner with a pattern of rugs made in Pirot in southeastern Serbia.

The Blue-eyed Goose

Maybe all geese have blue eyes; I don't know. I woke this one up when I snapped its photo the other day along the river. The goose is actually standing in shallow water through which you can see goosey footprints.

Ooops.

Well, like this earlier posting of mine, here's another example of a wrong name selection, especially for marketing in English-speaking countries! Yuhor is the name of a meat processing plant that is over 100 years old. "YU" stands for "Yugoslavia," which no longer exists, but I could not figure out what the last three letters signify.

Anyone know?

SKYWATCH FRIDAY--not waiting for the bus.

I was actually on a cruise boat with some friends when I took this photo. Many people now choose to walk across Branko's Bridge, rather than wait for a hot, stuffy bus.

Join SKYWATCH.