ROMEO

 It was close to 100 degrees Fahrenheit yesterday and it is supposed to top that today and tomorrow.

The heat did not stop this aspiring Romeo from looking spiffy for his damsel, to whom he is bringing roses.

THE SAGGY BAGGY ELEPHANT

 The Saggy Baggy Elephant by Kathryn Bowman was one of my favorite early childhood books. I made my mother read it to me over and over again. I ran across my copy the other day, scribbling inside, and a torn page or two.

Kathryn was from New Jersey, and along with her husband, Byron H. Jaxkson Jr., formed a writing couple. She passed away in 1985, but will be remembered by me through the Saggy Baggy Elephant.

WEEKEND REFLECTIONS---two for those who have passed on

 The beeswax candles that are  not burning, along with those that still are, stand in the lower level of a raised 'sandbox' that stands inside a Serbian Orthodox church. There is an upper level and it is there that candles are lit for those who are still living. These on the lower level are in remembrance for those who have passed on.

See other reflections on James' WEEKEND REFLECTIONS.

SKYWATCH---on top of Divcibare Mountain

 I left Divcibare mountain yesterday and am now back in sweltering Belgrade. To be honest, it wasn't much cooler in Divcibare as you can probably guess from the state of the grass in this photo.

See other skies on SKYWATCH.

THE SCOOTER FROM HELL

 How would you like to see this bearing down on you on a dark street, 'eyes' ablaze?

Looks peaceful enough here. I posted a similar scooter's shadow last May and you can see it RIGHT HERE.

THE OLD MULBERRY TREE

 This very old mulberry tree spreads its shade over the park next to where I live. I would love to hear the stories it has to tell. It is supported by two pillars that you can see on the right and just behind it.

From what I found on the Internet, the tree is around 200 years old.

THE LITTLE RED ITALIAN FIAT

 This is an old, but still spiffy, Italian Fiat, affectionately referred to as the "Fica" (FEE-cha).

I want one....and it has to be red.

MONDAY MURALS--Miticeva Rupa

This park and mural are located in the very heart of Belgrade, an oasis surrounded by apartment and business offices.

The area was/is commonly referred to as Miticeva Rupa (MEE-tee-cheh-va Roo-pa) or Mitic's Hole.  The land was purchased before WWII by Vlada Mitic, a wealthy businessman, and since 1946 has been the site of over 26 various projects, none of which ever seemed to take hold.  For this reason, the area was said to be cursed, since nothing succeeded there. Then, in 2000 it was turned into a park for children and anyone else who wanted to sit on a bench.

Now it's back to being cursed again....the city wants to 'develop it, which, in business lingo, means get rid of the trees and park and build apartment buildings. There's been an uproar, but I am not optimistic.

See other murals on MONDAY MURALS.

 

SHADOW SHOT SUNDAY==ONE RED, ONE WHITE

 Both of these strawberries are now history. My friend Jasmina grows them on her rooftop terrace, along with an assortment of lovely flowers.

See other shadows on SHADOW SHOT SUNDAY.

WEEKEND IN BLACK AND WHITE--Old Man with a Fiddle and a Boy

 This relief stands above the door to the STANKOVIC SCHOOL OF MUSIC not far from where I live.

Honestly, it looks like both the fiddler and his pupil have fallen asleep.

See other black and white photos on WEEKEND IN BLACK AND WHITE.

SKYWATCH--4:35 A.M.

 Hot, hot, and sometimes hard to sleep.  Got up to get a drink of water at 4:35 and here's what I saw out my window.

Made me almost feel good about getting up.

See other skies on SKYWATCH.