SKYWATCH--clear skies over the National Museum

 Thanks to heavy winds over the past few days, today's skies were clear over Belgrade and the National Museum. Visible are Serbian flags, the one on the left bearing the city's coat of arms.

See other skies on SKYWATCH.

Kiosk kitty

'twas a chilly evening and kitty has in some way protected itself from the wind....not sure if he snacked on anything.

 

MONDAY MURALS--another trompe l'oeil

 Another trompe l'oeil mujral for you. Ii is a shame it has been defaced.

See other murals on MONDAY MURALS.

SHADOW SHOT SUNDAY--the blind gusle (GOOSE-leh) player

The Blind Gusle Player has a history, and I will copy and paste what I found right here:

It has recently found a home in Kalemegdan Park, and even a seeing eye dog....

"The Commission also adopted an initiative of the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments of the City of Belgrade to install the sculpture "The Blind Gusle Player" in Veliki Kalemegdan Park.

The bronze sculpture, the work of sculptor Paskija Pasko Vucetic, was a part of the Monument to Karadjordje composition erected on August 13, 1913 in Kalemegdan, and demolished in 1916 by the Austro-Hungarian occupation forces. After the end of the First World War, in 1930, a monument of gratitude to France was erected on the site of the dismantled Karadjordje Monument. This sculpture is the only remaining part of the intricate monument composition of the Karadjordje Monument."

MANY THANKS TO LISA, who asked for more info on the player, Filip Visnjic. Please see  this link for a lot of info!

I have already shown you another Blind Gusle Player ten (wow) years ago....see it here.

 See other shadows on SHADOW SHOT SUNDAY.

SKYWATCH---six swans

 I took a much overdue walk around the lake beside Belgrade's river island, Ada Ciganlja. Seven kilometers around, and it felt great.

I think the swans had it eassy, albeit cold, by paddling.

See other skies on SKYWATCH.

ALWAYS LOOK YOUR BEST

 Maybe that is this woman's motto, since she's carrying her ironing board (and who know, perhaps an iron) with her just in case she has to look 'her very best.'

Or maybe she's into EXTREME IRONING.

Many thanks to Rob Siemann of STRASBOURG DAILY PHOTO for alerting me to Extreme Ironing.

ORTHODOX PRIEST

 Holiday times are upon us, and also here in Serbian many families have a special saint's day sometime during the year. One of the largest is Saint Nikola's, falling on December 19th.  The joke goes that half of Belgrade celebrates that slava (saint's day) and the other half comes as guests. Not far off, really.

This priest may be headed to Saint Mark's cathedral, just a couple hundred meters away.

THEME DAY -- COMFORT FOOD

When I am feeling a cold coming on, I make plain spaghetti with LOTS of garlic and black pepper. Honestly, so soon after Thanksgiving I don't feel like making spaghetti now for this theme day, so I'm going with my second favorite.

I love alphabet soup with added corn, accompanied by a toasted cheese sandwhich. Where I am in the world determines the kind of bread and cheese, but it tastes really good no matter where I am.

See other comfort foods on THEME DAY.

MONDAY MURALS--your guess is as good as mine

 I have my friend Marianne to thank for this mural. Your guess is as good as mine. What do you think it represents?

See other murals on MONDAY MURALS.

WEEKEND REFLECTIONS --HOTEL METROPOL

 I walk my dog every morning in the park near Hotel Metropol, which underwent renovation a few years back. Here you see a reflection of part of the hotel reflected in yet another part.

See other reflections on James' WEEKEND REFLECTIONS.

ALL ALONE AM I

 Here it is Thanksgiving in the United States...and in expat homes abroad like mine. However, this year for a reason we all know too well, I am  not having my son and his family over. I feel horrible about this as do they, but we all agree celebrating in a closed space just doesn't seem like a good idea this  year. They are all seemingly healthy and I think I am, too, but they do have two small children who have been in school...and COVID is insidious; children could  be silent carriers.

So, in order that we can all be together next year (I certainly hope so!) we'll pass on our celebration, at least together. I still plan on making a Thanksgiving dinner, but my son will come and pick it up.

The lady on the bench could be me, minus a few years and the crutches, and the statues could represent my family holding their heads and saying, "Oh, woe!"

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL OF YOU WHO CELEBRATE, TOGETHER OR SEPARATELY.