I am finally getting a chance to respond and thank you for the shout-out. I am so glad that you stopped by Kentucky. I am so glad I met you - both in person and in your newsletters. I would not be surprised if our lives intersect a few more times. (I need to know more about Clown College and the circus! I always wanted to work the trapeze, but just thinking about it makes me dizzy now). You were just what the doctor ordered when you showed up.
Now I'll have to look up all of the places you went to - including Principia college. That sample house sounds adorable. Seriously, what an epic trip! Just the trip to the graduation would have been enough for most people. But you added to the fun: "While I'm in the neighborhood, I'll perform at the Yoyo competition - and play violin in every state I stop. - And Kentucky is almost on the way..." You're my kind of people - I once travelled 4 hours (or so) by train - to purchase some champagne glasses. That one became epic through no fault of my own. At this point, my goal is to travel lighter. For the last trip, I was down to a backpack and a carry-on. This next time, I'm trying for backpack only.
I once went on a 5 day trip by plane, to a friend’s house, with only a small backback myself! It’s so freeing to be able to travel so lightly. This 6 week roadtrip, on the other hand, I had to be an expert at Jenga to get everything in the car so I could still see out the back window.
so Ringling Clown College was run by a fantastically fun guy, Steve Smith. I got to take warm up lessons with him at one point. He changed voices and rhythm throughout the warm ups. Ringling Clown College was in Florida for a number of years. Last I heard (over 20 years ago), it was shut down. Closed. No more. I don’t know if they have started it up again.
I took many clowning classes from Cirque du Soleil clowns (like Kenny Ruskin - clowning master) and also from Ringling Clowns and I also got to meet a clown from Big Apple Circus at one point at the workshops. He was fun; though I don’t think he had a class a person could take. And I took a class from Jef Raz of Pickle Circus (in San Francisco) and a class from The Butterfly Man - also a San Francisco guy. And I was friends with a sword swallower for a number of years. I wrote about him at the end of my book, “Mere Creativity.” That’s Johnny Fox. He left us way too young. He taught me so much and was kind and generous with information and friendship. Every single time I saw him, he would ask me how my dad was. It was very hard, one year, to let him know my dad had passed on. I believe Johnny died the following year. Two wonderful, gentle men, gone too soon.
Once upon a time, my bio-mum told me “in my next life, I am coming back as your child.” I immediately replied, “that’s fine, I’m coming back as a contortionist for a circus.” She said, “no thank you.” Hahahahaha!!
PS: I got my wedding cake toppers in Oxford, Illinois. It was an Alice in Wonderland wedding, and there is an Alice in Wonderland shop in Oxford. Had to have those. I believe I donated them when I divorced. They were really cool, though. Not worthy of being at a donation shop. But my declutter expert was pretty ruthless with me.
It's ok! The triggers are my problem, not a universal one. Prin is a beautiful, cult-run place. I know you know that! Just like to have others know to proceed with caution. ❤️
I loved the yoyoing video! I find all the Prin stuff so triggering, presented with no caveats, but I'm happy you enjoyed the visit! And I'm about to start RVing with just my dog, so your confidence is inspiring. ❤️
I am finally getting a chance to respond and thank you for the shout-out. I am so glad that you stopped by Kentucky. I am so glad I met you - both in person and in your newsletters. I would not be surprised if our lives intersect a few more times. (I need to know more about Clown College and the circus! I always wanted to work the trapeze, but just thinking about it makes me dizzy now). You were just what the doctor ordered when you showed up.
Now I'll have to look up all of the places you went to - including Principia college. That sample house sounds adorable. Seriously, what an epic trip! Just the trip to the graduation would have been enough for most people. But you added to the fun: "While I'm in the neighborhood, I'll perform at the Yoyo competition - and play violin in every state I stop. - And Kentucky is almost on the way..." You're my kind of people - I once travelled 4 hours (or so) by train - to purchase some champagne glasses. That one became epic through no fault of my own. At this point, my goal is to travel lighter. For the last trip, I was down to a backpack and a carry-on. This next time, I'm trying for backpack only.
I just wrote up the post about The Mistake House !! It was such a fun post to write.
It will come out on Saturday. You’re going to also like its sister post - the one about the Chapel - it comes out on Wednesday.
I once went on a 5 day trip by plane, to a friend’s house, with only a small backback myself! It’s so freeing to be able to travel so lightly. This 6 week roadtrip, on the other hand, I had to be an expert at Jenga to get everything in the car so I could still see out the back window.
so Ringling Clown College was run by a fantastically fun guy, Steve Smith. I got to take warm up lessons with him at one point. He changed voices and rhythm throughout the warm ups. Ringling Clown College was in Florida for a number of years. Last I heard (over 20 years ago), it was shut down. Closed. No more. I don’t know if they have started it up again.
I took many clowning classes from Cirque du Soleil clowns (like Kenny Ruskin - clowning master) and also from Ringling Clowns and I also got to meet a clown from Big Apple Circus at one point at the workshops. He was fun; though I don’t think he had a class a person could take. And I took a class from Jef Raz of Pickle Circus (in San Francisco) and a class from The Butterfly Man - also a San Francisco guy. And I was friends with a sword swallower for a number of years. I wrote about him at the end of my book, “Mere Creativity.” That’s Johnny Fox. He left us way too young. He taught me so much and was kind and generous with information and friendship. Every single time I saw him, he would ask me how my dad was. It was very hard, one year, to let him know my dad had passed on. I believe Johnny died the following year. Two wonderful, gentle men, gone too soon.
Once upon a time, my bio-mum told me “in my next life, I am coming back as your child.” I immediately replied, “that’s fine, I’m coming back as a contortionist for a circus.” She said, “no thank you.” Hahahahaha!!
PS: I got my wedding cake toppers in Oxford, Illinois. It was an Alice in Wonderland wedding, and there is an Alice in Wonderland shop in Oxford. Had to have those. I believe I donated them when I divorced. They were really cool, though. Not worthy of being at a donation shop. But my declutter expert was pretty ruthless with me.
Beautiful photos and dogs!
Thank you !! 🖤🖤🖤
It's ok! The triggers are my problem, not a universal one. Prin is a beautiful, cult-run place. I know you know that! Just like to have others know to proceed with caution. ❤️
I loved the yoyoing video! I find all the Prin stuff so triggering, presented with no caveats, but I'm happy you enjoyed the visit! And I'm about to start RVing with just my dog, so your confidence is inspiring. ❤️
I feel awful about not having trigger warnings. I will remember this for next time. I am so sorry to have done this to you.
Hurray for Road Trips with our dogs!
I have been told to use BringFido (an app or website) but I have rarely found it useful.
So I am hoping dog owners who use it will update it with things they find that are dog friendly.
I look forward to hearing where you are headed!!
Thanks for the BringFido suggestion!