Classic

A classic shot for the holidays...

See more reflections on JAMES' REFLECTIONS WEEKEND.

SKYWATCH FRIDAY church tower

The tower of Belgrade's main church, located across the street from the patriarch's residence, stands out against a cold winter sky.

See other skies on SKYWATCH FRIDAY.

"My" House #2

A while ago I showed you another house that I referred to as 'my' house, though of course it is not. This is my second favorite old one. You can see that it is in a sad state, and represents a wide problem facing many of Belgrade's older buildings. This one has not been declared a cultural monument, though in my opinion it should be. It dates from the second half of the 19th century, and was built as a wedding present to his daughter Julka by Zivojin Blaznavac, a wealthy official, and was the first house in Belgrade to have a swimming pool (undoubtedly long gone.) During WWII, Julka was forced to give up most of the home to house German officials. Later, under communist rule, the building was confiscated and split into several apartments. Despite its appearance, it is still lived in.

ABC Wednesday--"V" is for "Vane"

N, S, E, and W are the letters I grew up seeing on a weather vane, but since I've been living in Serbia, I have to get used to seeing Cyrillic letters for 'sever', jug', 'istok', and 'zapad', which stand for north, south, east, and west respectively. In Cyrillic they would be: С, Ј, И, and З, and so they are here on this vane! And in Serbian, weather vane is: vetrokaz, so that's another "V".

See more V's on ABC WEDNESDAY.

Roll 'em!

Here we are on Republic Square again. That's the National Museum on the left, the statue of Prince Mihail in the middle, and the National Theater in the background. The black 'Baltimore Police' car is a prop for the filming of John Cusack's new film, The Raven, depicting the final days of Edgar Allan Poe, which is being filmed partly here in Belgrade. If you click on the link, you'll see that the actor has been enjoying Belgrade's well-known nightlife.

ADDENDUM: Below is a photo I snapped last Saturday when I saw the film crew, and this time the actor (seated), in Kalemegdan Park, waiting for 'action'.

Masha and Nikola

This is Bibi's new friend, Masha, a little mixed breed we met with her owner, Nikola. I was especially fascinated by her ears; don't you just love those long, straggly hairs?

Sunday Bridges--The Bridge to Pancevo

It's there....you just have to look hard for it.

See other bridges at Louis La Vache's Sunday Bridges.

Reflections Weekend - plate of toes

They grow 'em big here in Serbia. These feet belong(ed) to my Thanksgiving turkey. It weighed 17 kilos (37 pounds). My son had ordered a smaller one from a friend, to be cut up in pieces. Unfortunately, someone's signals got crossed, and he got the mega-turkey in one piece....and frozen.....and a week ahead of time.... There was no way I could fit the whole thing in my freezer, and even if I could have, I didn't want to roast a 17-kilo turkey.

A visit (with the turkey) to my local butcher solved the problem. He sawed it in half, and managed to saw off the two legs. I gave my son the whole half and I roasted the other. My share fed six of us at dinner, and leftovers were given to all.....lots of bird.

But we didn't eat the feet, nor did I use them like some do to flavor soup. Saved them for you!

See other reflections at James' Reflections Weekend.

Skywatch Friday --The lion keeps vigil

A statue of a lion, bearing a few carved initials, keeps watch over the Danube and New Belgrade. And I guess he's watching the sky, too.

See more skies at SKYWATCH.

Red bus, yellow balloon

Stuck in traffic again with my camera.

ABC Wednesday--"U" is for "unsettling"

I like this floor pattern in downtown hallway where a friend lives, I really do, but I find it somewhat unsettling to walk on...which way are those little blocks going to tumble? :)

See more U posts on ABC WEDNESDAY.