THE MYTH OF SISYPHUS, SERBIAN-STYLE

Two days ago these workers cleared the entire roof of a large nearby medical clinic. And here they are again!  I imagine getting the snow off somehow improves their heating units, who knows? It will be a seemingly endless job.

In case you don't know who Sisyphus was in Greek mythology, he somehow offended Zeus, who condemned him to roll a large boulder to the top of a hill and leave it there. He did, but each time he got to the top, the boulder rolled down again, so repeat, repeat, repeat.

 

FRENCH TOAST

 

My French toast this a.m. on my Paris metro map placemat. 

In France, this dish is called 'pain perdu' (lost bread), here in Belgrade it is called "prženica' (little fried bread).  Whatever you call it, it's good 

APPLES... and one pear

 Winter apples and a pear reminding me I should eat more fruit. 

YE OLDE QUILT SHOP

 Yesterday I showed you a young woman's hand resting on a bag that probably contained a light but warm quilt. I passed this shop today. I hadn't walked down this street in Zemun (adjacent to Belgrade) in literally decades, and was pleased to see that this old-fashioned quilt shop is still in business.  These are hand-made, stuffed with wool, and very warm.

If you want to see exactly what the wool inside looks like, have a look at THIS LINK. The article is in Serbian, but scroll down to see the photos.

HER HAND

 This young woman's nicely manicured hand rests on a bag from a Scandinavian bedding shop. We're supposed to be in for really cold weather, like in the 'good old days,' so perhaps this is a new quilt.

OLD AND PEELING

 I am fascinated by old doors, especially those whose paint is peeling.

NEW YEAR'S COFFEE AND COOKIE

 Went for a neighborhood walk yesterday morning. Weather was sunny, clear, and crisp. Stopped for a second cup of coffee and a typical Serbian cookie, an 'orasnica ' o-RASS-neet-sa), made eith crushed walnuts, a bit of sugar, and held together with beaten egg whites. The café's name is Crna Ovca (SIR-na OV-tsa), meaning 'black sheep'. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

 Self-portrait for you on New Year's Day.

BANANA DOG

Madhu does not like firecrackers and hides under my bed or in the bathroom. In neither of those places this morning, but I found her in my banana.

HEATING PLANT, JUST AFTER DAWN

 A distant view of the heating plant from my window.  That's steam, not smoke, thankfully. 

TO SNOW OR NOT TO SNOW?

Most of December I have been battling the flu and hope I'm going to beat it. Feel much better.  That said, I haven't been out much with my camera.

This is a photo from 2012 of the mountains below Kopaonik Mountain, about a three-hours' drive from Belgrade. I tried to find out online if there is snow there now (there was when the photo was taken; I was higher up), but couldn't find out for sure, so you can TRY YOUR LUCK ON THIS LINK.