WEEKEND REFLECTION--The Mask

Reflections in a silver mask...and in the window glass.

See other reflections on James' WEEKEND REFLECTION.

SKYWATCH--Prince Miloš Obrenović

Prince Miloš Obrenović (MEE-lush O-bren-o-veetch, 1780-1860) was Prince of Serbia twice (1815-1839 and 1858-1860). He participated in the First Serbian Uprising against the Ottoman Empire and later led the Serbs in the Second Serbian Uprising in Takovo, Serbia. Under him, Serbia became an autonomous duchy within the Ottoman Empire. I used to drive down Belgrade’s main boulevard, Kneza Miloša, just about every day and never noticed this statue...until I walked by. Slow down and see.... Photo taken before our big snow...since then, I pick my way along sidewalks, lest I slip or be hit by a falling icicle.

See other skies on SKYWATCH.

Pat your head and rub your tummy

Can you pat your head and rub your tummy at the same time? Sometimes I can.

But I can't walk and read the newspaper, like this man.

ABC WEDNESDAY "E" is for "eliminated"

Recycle time. I came across a huge truckload of these colorful cardboard file boxes that were being tossed. Guess another business has gone (finally) computerized and doesn't need paper files much anymore.

Somehow file storage just isn't so pretty on your hard drive, but files sure do take up less space.

See other E's on ABC WEDNESDAY.

Happy Valentine's Day from a Book Lover

Time for an updated granddaughter Mila (MEE-la) photo. Here she is at 6 1/2 months. Mila is a great book lover. She squeals and does this funny little excited shake when she gets one. I could even say she gets so excited that her hair stands on end, but it's always like that, since she sleeps first on one side, then the other.

Happy Valentine's Day to all those whom you love!

Renovation at last

In 2009 I posted a photo of this passageway off of Knez Mihailova and wished someone would restore it, for it contains beautiful artwork. My wish has been granted.

This Secessionist-style passageway, begun in 1889 and finished in 1912, named after politician Nikola Spasić whose statue I showed you here, will be restored over a two-month period and will then link Belgrade's pedestrian street to one behind it.

Now I'm wishing that the building in still another post of mine will be restored as well.

SUNDAY BRIDGES-=Building Gazela Bridge

Gazela Bridge, built from 1966-1970, is an important bridge in Belgrade across the Sava River. It is a part of the city network connecting Belgrade with cities to the south and north and is the chief connection between Old and New Belgrade. Because traffic was so congested, the bridge was almost completely redone in 2011 and it now supports up to 200,000 vehicles per day. This is an old postcard with a view looking north.

See other bridges at Louis La Vache's SUNDAY BRIDGES.

WEEKEND REFLECTION--the reader in 'purple'

Not too crisp a shot, but it was from far away. Kind of cool how the sides of his head are shaved, all but for some pony tail hair.

See other reflections at James' WEEKEND REFLECTION.

SKYWATCH--shades of Edgar Allan Poe

Can you hear the crack of thunder and see the flash of lightning? There wasn't any, of course, since this is a winter photo and those phenomena usually don't occur in the winter. Perhaps this crow, perched on a very gnarled tree, reminds you of this previous post of mine?

This does remind me of something Edgar Allan Poe might have used as an illustration for one of his stories or poems.

See other skies, some poetic, some not, at SKYWATCH.

The blonde, the brunette, and you've seen the red-head...

Last December on the same street and in front of the same store but walking in the other direction you saw the red-head. Now I give you the blond and the brunette.

Such beautiful hair!

ABC Wednesday "D" is for "Dalí " look-alike?

Laza Kostić (1841-1910) was a Serbian poet, prose writer, lawyer, philosopher, polyglot, publicist, and politician, considered to be one of the greatest minds of Serbian literature. I do not think he ever picked up a paintbrush, but I do think this bust of him is reminiscent of the eccentric Surrealist Painter, Salvador Dali.

According to Wikipedia, Laza Kostić was characterized as an eccentric but had a spark of genius all his own. His writings abound in coined words, and in devious turns and twists of expression. He was the first to introduce iambic meter into the dramatic poetry, and the first translator of Shakespeare into Serbian. At a European authors' convention at the turn of the century he once tried to explain the relationship between the culture of Serbia and those of major Western European cultures using the scenario of a phone conversation, in which the speaker in Belgrade keeps repeating, “Can you hear us? We hear you. Can you hear us?” with the other end of the line not responding whatsoever. His scenario accurately expressed the frustration the smaller European cultures at not being heard, or not being understood.

There exists a Laza Kostić Fund, with offices in Belgrade and London.

See other D's on ABC WEDNESDAY.