Skywatch Friday: Against the sun

Mid-morning view of a path alongside Kalemegdan Park.

See other skies at SKYWATCH FRIDAY.

Radoje Domanović --a short life, but long-remembered

Radoje Domanović (RAH-do-yeh Do-MAHN-o-veetch) (1873 - 1908) was a Serbian writer and teacher, most famous for his satirical short stories. He died of tuberculosis. This illness, along with the affection he inspired in all who knew him, surrounded his work with a romantic, sentimental aura.

During his short literary career he developed the great powers of the satirical novel, although some of his stories are distorted by pessimism. Below are two examples:

The Suffering, an allegory in which he castigated the ruthlessness of the authority and submissiveness of its subjects.

The Leader, a story about incompetent leadership: people who chose a person they'd never seen before to lead them to a better place. After suffering through a long trip, they realize that their leader is blind.

ABC WEDNESDAY--"Z" is for "(almost)Zeppole"

These yummy long, puffy, sprinkled-with-sugar-if-you-like, doughnuts that this kerchiefed seller is about to pick up may be cousins of the Italian Zeppole, which are round and filled.

This Serbian version is called mekike (MEH-kee-keh) and if you click right here, you'll find a recipe for them, in Serbian only; couldn't find one in English.

The other lady is about to serve some tulumbe (too-LOOM-beh), which are very sweet/ You can find an English recipe for them by clicking here.


See other Z's at ABC WEDNESDAY.

Klara and Dita

You meet so many nice people when you have a dog, or maybe even if you don't. In my case, Bibi wanted desperately to play with little Dita (DEE-ta), but she was way too interested in a treed squirrel. Her owner, Klara, had to literally pry her off the ground to pose for this photo....but Dita's eyes haven't left the squirrel....

Taking a break after the holidays

Now that Belgrade has enforced its no-smoking law, it's hard to find a place to take a legal puff. Parks are still okay to do so, and this couple, or at least half of the couple, is enjoying a nicotine moment.

Long hair on guys is still in apparently, as the dark-haired man here proves.

SUNDAY BRIDGES--the Old Tram Bridge at night

Here we are looking down at Belgrade's train station. In the background you can see the Old Tram Bridge (Savski Most), which is really green, as you can see in this previous post of mine.

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

WEEKEND REFLECTION--Merry Christmas Part II

"Hristos se rodi!" to all of you Serbian Orthodox readers, since today is your Christmas. I've cheated a little here, since Santa Claus does not come to you today, but already has on New Year's Day....or maybe he'll come again on Serbian New Year's, which falls on January 13th...oh, so many holidays.

No wonder this Santa is still wandering around.

See other reflections at James' WEEKEND REFLECTION.

SKYWATCH--street ends, sky begins

Hard to tell where the street ends and the sky begins on this view of a very foggy Knez Mihailova, Belgrade's pedestrian street.

Srećno Badnje veče to all you Serbian Orthodox readers, since tonight is your Christmas Eve.

See other skies (and probably not so much fog) on SKYWATCH.

Have faith

This lady is a common sight near where I live. She carries a picture of a saint with her, and goes begging from car to car at a busy intersection. She wears very thick glasses, and I'm often concerned for her safety, but she seems to maneuver between cars well.

ABC Wednesday--"Y" is for "Yawn..."

For most of you the holidays are over, but for those of us here in Serbia, Serbian Orthodox Christmas is on January 7th, followed by Serbian New Year on the 14th....a long season, especially for over-photographed babies like my little granddaughter, Mila....just too much, sometimes! Tiring.....YAWN...

Check out other Y's on ABC WEDNESDAY.

Icy blue...

Zipping along on an ice rink of one of Belgrade's squares, set up for the holidays. Remember which square? It's this one, although the larger figure is gone....

Do you ice skate? I don't....