BRANDY

 On the walking street downtown, there are still some die-hard stands, offering seasonal wares. Rakija, or brandy, is one of them, and this fellow doesn't look like he wants to quit.

THEME DAY FOR FEBRUARY--STREET CORNERS

 My street corner is a very busy one almost at every hour, and unfortunately has been the scene of many serious accidents and fender-benders. In the first photo you can see that a trolley has hit another, which is bad enough, though not so serious. There were no injuries, but the results were chaotic. In the second photo, you can see only part of a trolley back-up, which included buses, motorcycles, and passenger cars. Awful. I was on foot, so got through just fine. Five city buses and trolleys run on the streets where the trolleys are, so you can  imagine the chaos.

See other street corners on FEBRUARY THEME DAY.

MONDAY MURALS--the dog park

 Popping back to Seattle for this colorful mural. They say dogs only see shades of yellow and blue, so whoever did this mural either knew that or lucked out.

See other murals on MONDAY MURALS.

A MOMENT OF HIS TIME

 I watched this lady approach this priest and speak to him. He didn't respond right away, so curious me is still wondering what her comment or question was.

KEEPIN' 'EM CLEAN

 This fellow was walking three fluffy, white Bichons. Spotless they were indeed. Most of the time, I give credit to the owner for keeping them so tidy, but other times wonder if the little pups are ever let to run free and really get dirty.

That is why I would never have a white dog! Or a white car....or a white coat....or a white skirt....

SKYWATCH--red sunset

 I often get striking views from my kitchen window.  

Happy Weekend to all.

See other skies on SKYWATCH.

THE SOFTENER OF EVIL HEARTS

 St. Marko's cathdral is located a short distance from where I live. Behind this church is a small Russian church, not visible here. This morning, on my way to walk my dog, I came across this HUGE line, which doubled back again from the top (cannot be seen here).  More and more people were lining up. This is one of those instances where a drone would have come in handy.

Anyway, I asked a lady waiting in line who told me that the icon of Mary Mother of God Softener of Evil Hearts had arrived on loan to the small Russian church. Apparently, this particular icon is not seen often. You can read more about it by clicking HERE.

WINTER

 

I have written about the Serbian poet Desanka Maksimovic before. Here her statue sits under a cover of snow.

I did find one poem she wrote about winter, but couldn't find an English translation. Here is another that at least mentions snow!

DEATH OF A RAVEN

It's the last day of the old raven.
His turn has come and soon a pall
Of darkness will cover him up. But for now
He suspects nothing at all
As he plods along over virgin snow
Like a peasant, flits up and alights
On a bush, shakes the ice
From a branch, rubs his beak on his claw…
From behind the blue mountain a moon is emerging,
Colder, more vast than ever was seen hitherto,
As though slowly a door were opening
To let the old raven pass through.

WHEN'S THE NEXT BUS?

 

That's a question that has long been left unanswered for Belgrade citizens. Upon my return, I was pleased to see that these signs are now at every bus stop. Here it says #10 is 22 minutes and 15 stops away. No clue about the 2, 5, and 79... They must be really out of range. I didn't hang around to see.

SWIM FREE ALL SEASON!

 That's what the sign says: free entrance to all Belgraders for the summer season.

Those are going to be very crowded pools. One more reason I avoid public swimming pools.

VERY IMPORTANT SNOOZER

 

I am tired from jet-lag from my return from the US.

I don't know why this young person is sleepy. Her lapel pin reads 'Važna Osoba,' meaning 'important person'.