FINALLY

 Rain!! Our heat spell has a bit of a reprieve. I darted over with pup to a café between cloudbursts. Honestly, I hope tomorrow will be the same.

START THE DAY OFF RIGHT

 As a kid, I was a Wheaties, Shredded Wheat, Rice Crispies, and Sugar Pops kid. Later, in France I morphed into a croissant/beurre/confiture person. Serbs eat breakfast 'late. They only have a strong, black Turkish-style coffee and go to work and stop around 10 for some savory pastry like BUREK WITH CHEESE. Kind of heavy. Now I do a substantial but healthy breakfast like above. And strong coffee with milk, too.

PAUSE

This lady was oblivious to my passing by....and to my sneaking a shot. It was a hot day, but I imagine this bench was cooler than perhaps her apartment.

FORTUNE COOKIE COKE?

 Of course this Coke did not come with a fortune cookie nor even a fortune, most likely. I came upon both the Coke and the cards on a bench while walking the dog. If I had to choose one, I'd choose "Take the road less traveled; you'll find joy."  Good advice and it is true.

Please enlarge the photo to read the cards and perhaps find your fortune.

NIKOLA TESLA MUSEUM

 There is always a crowd in front of the NIKOLA TESLA MUSEUM and visitors seem undaunted by the extreme heat. If you do not know, Nikola Tesla was (1856-1943) a Serbian-American inventor, futurist, and an inventor. He is especially known for his contributions to the modern alternating current electric supply system.  Click the link; you will learn a lot. 

MINI-ME

 

For several years, mostly on and off and primarily off, I've been trying to write my life story. I intend to make several copies just for my family. I do this in spurts....  Part of my writing also includes photos of places and things dear to me. One such item is 'my' doll, which really is me. I do not remember playing with it. When I was about two or three (not sure how old I saw in the face abve) my mother had my photo taken at a local department store. Apparently they had a contest going on and I ended up winning Second Place (yes, second....I am still looking for the person who took First Place, ha.)  I don't know if there was any other prize, but part of winning included a doll with my winning photo face. The doll has been with me many years now, but she's lost her shoes and socks.

NEVER BORED

 I have often said that I am never bored when I have my camera with me. I always find something worth 'shootin'. A case in point is this dusty bus window, streaked with condensation on the outside. I liked the abstract pattern it made.

GOTH GIRL

 She fascinated me. She may not be in true Goth fashion, but her skateboarding partner was more so. He conked out about five minutes into the bus ride. This is a phone shot. I pretended I was using my phone as a mirror to pick something out of my teeth....and then click.

THEY GROW AMONG US

 Whenever I see LICHENS, I think of all those 1950-era science fiction films where some strange but unassuming life form settles on Earth and eventually wreaks havoc among Earthlings. I imagine I have watched too many sci-fi films, but no regrets.  I'll check back on these lichens to see if they're up to anything.

NO LAUNDRY NEEDED

 This clothespin will never see a clothesline. It is actually a full-size, three-seater bench in a nearby shopping center. 

BOSS LADY?

 From time to time I stop at this small restaurant/café to have a cup of coffee, a small ice cream, or when hungry,  some CEVAPI. I see this woman more often than not, and imagine she may be the owner or manager since she is often engaged in what appear to be instructive conversations with the staff.