The Circus is leaving...

This post has nothing to do with Eric Clapton and everything to do with the Circus. When I think of the Circus, I think of The Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus. Sure I have enjoyed going to see other ones. The Big Apple Circus was awesome when I reviewed it here. However, it wasn't the Circus and that is what is ending.


The last time I went to the circus was two years ago and here is my daughter trying on costumes before the show..



Maybe she will become a daredevil motorcycle rider..



Her mom my not approve of that occupation for her. Guess it is too late for me to run off and join the circus now, I would probably have been a clown.

I've been lucky to share the circus with my stepson when he was young and my daughter. Of course I have memories from when I was young too..



I remember watching the late, great Gunther Gebel-Williams perform. As a child I had  dreams of being him and working with the big cats. I grew older and worked with house cats. Those house cats have always thought of me as their own chew toys so I guess it is probably for the best I didn't work with the big cats. Did I miss calling? Below is my daughter and me hanging out with a tiger..



The circus had their fights over animal shows. A circus isn't always politically correct. It did bring people together and did entertain. However over 146 years entertainment has changed. I will miss the circus but I am glad I have fond memories and that I had the opportunity to share the circus.

A circus train from 2016..

Circus Opening..

What are your circus memories? Feel free to share. I will miss the circus.

A to Z Challenge: Gunther Gebel-Williams

When I was child the most important part of the circus was the animal acts. Back in the 70s I remember Gunther Gebel-Williams performing with the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus. I'm sure at some point in my childhood I even dreamed to become like him. I had the blonde hair which unfortunately has turned quite gray since seeing him.  Sadly my body never developed into his muscular physique. The big cats he used to train would probably look at me as a snack instead of trainer so I never followed in his footsteps...

He performed in a time before the explosion of social media. Yet he made a name for himself through his performances in the circle and by appearing on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and The Ed Sullivan Show.

However, recently my daughter and I had the opportunity to handle a White Tiger perhaps a bit of Gunther rubbed off on me after all..

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Sadly at the age of 66 on July 19, 2001 Gunther Gebel-Williams passed away due to a brain tumor but he did leave us with long lasting memories.