TGIF and Random 5 Friday

~ American Curly horses ~

Today, a gentleman from Virginia Currents e-mailed me and asked for  farm photos to use in a television news magazine segment featuring Virginia farms. He asked for four photos and I sent eight; yes, I can count, but having no understanding of what he needed, I sent him twice as many photos so he can cull fifty percent. Whenever possible, I like to make other folks' jobs' easier. 

~ chestnuts, ready for roasting ~

Another gent, from across the mountain, likes to hunt ground hogs in our valley and I like for him to hunt ground hogs on this farm.  They are pesky rodents who dig huge holes that are a safety hazard for my horses, sheep and alpacas. Me too, remembering now the huge hole I stepped into in mid-summer. Anyway, the hunter brought me a coffee can of chestnuts and I plan on X'ing them and roasting them tonight and all weekend. I've never found a nut I didn't like and chestnuts are a favorite. 

~ London travel journal, right ~

Dave and I began traveling overseas in 2008 when I was asked to teach Agri-tourism in Russia. the program was through the U. S. State Department and run by a West Virginia Bluefield State professor. That was the beginning of a entirely new set of adventures for Dave and I. In January 2010, Dave sent me to London because, "I want you to learn to travel by yourself. I'll be here, at home, for a safety net, but you'll be on your own." I planned that trip...airline, hotel, sights, etc....and, yes, it was frightening but also exhilarating! When my plane landed, my transportation to town wasn't there and never arrived. I finally took the Tube into London and my Earls Court stop where I wandered for an hour looking for my hotel. All this at midnight, in the cold, snow and worst winter London had in twenty-five years...exhilarating!  The memory of the red fox and I, crossing on opposite street corners, remains a favorite memory. 

~ July - August 2011 travel journal ~

I'm getting to my point, please forgive a tired, slow woman...in the summer of 2011, Dave sent me to Eastern Europe, amazing because, at that time, Dave was recovering from cancer treatment and, needless to say, I didn't want to leave him. He insisted and gave me the same reason he'd given when he sent me to London the year before. So, that fabulous trip was to Hungary, were I met Timi and her family and Jane and Lance, then went to Serbia, Romania, Ukraine, Czech Republic and Austria. 

I'm going to submit, for possible publication, my journals to Stampington Public. I haven't a clue they'll accept them but I'm pretty sure the answer is no if I don't ask. This is a huge step for me; when I was in elementary school, my "art" teacher (using the term most loosely!) told me, "You have absolutely no talent whatsoever; I have no idea why you even try." 

My answer after all these decades is, "Life is risky and the answer is always "no" when the question isn't asked."

Through no work of their own, the dogs are ready for cold weather. Their sweaters were washed and line dried this week and bought a smile to my face. 

We had a jail break today; the alpacas found a gate I'd left open and made their way into the yard. They were so funny, looking like they were tiptoeing around the yard. The dogs don't even bark anymore when the animals go where they aren't really supposed to go. Eventually, I got them all back in the same pasture and all is well on the farmstead.

This post is linked up with Nancy's Random 5 Friday at A Rural Journal. Please visit her and see the other participants.

Blessings ~ clean sweaters ~ animals in their correct places ~ chestnuts ~ American Curly horses ~ travel journals ~  alpacas ~

Serbia, Day 6

~ Slower pace on right ~

We are staying just outside Novi Sad, Serbia, in a smaller town called Backi Petrovac and there's an upside down mark over the c in the first word. It's a nice town, a lot of people get around on bicycles and, as usual, the farmers use horse and cart. A lot of the Romani people also use horse and cart as transport but the more affluent Romani have very nice automobiles. In Backi Petrovac there is a large Slovak community and, next Saturday, is the anniversary festival, celebrating the Slovak lifestyle, contributions, etc. Truthfully? I'm not sorry to miss the festival as it will be extremely crowded and very expensive. If you visit their website, you can see Serbians and Slovaks living and working side by side, no troubles.

Backi Petrovac has earned the designation "Safe Village" which means there is no drug problem, you don't see people drunk on the streets or begging...a huge benefit! The town has to re-apply every 3 or 4 years in order to keep this designation. There is a high school, next door to our inn, and about 80% of the students not only finish but they go on to college and finish college!

~ our room ~

Helene, the tour guide, is my room mate and we have been blessed with cooler weather. She tends to become cold very easily and I am more comfortable with cooler weather; we've been sleeping with only the window open and no air conditioner...thank you God!

~ stairs from our rooms downstairs ~

These are the stairs, going downstairs from our rooms. Just imagine carrying two heavy suitcases and a carry-bag; not an easy task!

I've begun taking, somewhat, detailed notes in my journal, as well as trying my hand at drawing with water color pencils. The results cannot be confused with an artist but, at least, what I'm drawing is recognizable, a huge plus when I'm home and trying to remember (smile).

~ Greek Orthodox ~

Yesterday, we went to Novi Sad, the second largest city in Serbia. It was a fine day and spent wandering around churches, city square, people watching, eating ice cream and, in general, having a lovely time. The primary religion is Greek Orthodox but in Backi Petrovac there is an inter-denominational church and two couples from Texas were here doing marriage counseling classes. The regular pastor speaks Serbian and English and translates. 

~ shepherd playing Duda  ~

This gent is playing a traditional Duda; a sheep's stomach with drone pipes and finger holes. The music was hauntingly beautiful, especially if one enjoys bagpipes...which I do but in smaller measures than the Duda. His skill is a lost art and speaks to a time and place we'll never see again...sad!

~ Petrovaradin Fortress ~

The Petrovaradin Fortress is on the Danube, guarding a corner of Novi Sad. It's imposing, even from a distance, and we didn't have the opportunity to visit. Just so much to see and do and we've only about two days total to "do it all"...not!

At the end of yesterday, we visited Sremski Karlovci which is famous for wine especially something called bermet. It was a desert wine but 18% alcohol and very tasty. We also visited the Four Lions Fountain and it's rumored if a girl, perhaps a boy as well, drinks from this fountain, they will marry within the year.

~ Four Lions Fountain ~

Today we went to the market, a combination farmers' market and flea market. A variety of things could be purchased...everything from food, tires, household goods, clothing, shoes, boots, pets and hand work.

~ farmer's wife ~

This dear soul was 73 and had been married 58 years; she said it was tradition for women to marry dressed in total black. Now she wears a kerchief, covering her hat, both of which are only removed in the privacy of her home.

~ traditional dress ~

Some women still wear the traditional dress...shoes, hosiery, aprons, skirts, vests, shirts and kerchiefs.

~ scythe and hoe handles ~

I wasn't sure if this man was selling the scythe and hoe handles or merely standing nearby. At any rate, it's time for me to go to bed, my room mate has crashed out on her bed, fully dressed, so that's my clue!

Blessings ~ markets ~ travel ~ clean, safe places to stay ~ beautiful cities and villages ~