The Circus Comes to Town!

This week saw the passing of an era.  The final performances of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus were held in New York and Rhode Island. I won't get into the political, or the politically correct reasons for its demise. It is what it is. But as it comes to an end, I am reminded of another way living in Florida enriched my life.

For 27 years we lived on the west coast of Florida in the Tampa area. The winter headquarters of the Ringling Brothers Circus was just down the road in Sarasota. Even closer to home was Gibsonton, home to many Carnival and Circus people.

Gibsonton has a colorful history. At one point it was the only post office in the country that had a counter for dwarfs. Unique zoning permitted residents to keep elephants and circus trailers on their lawns. I've been through Gibsonton many times and I don't remember ever seeing an elephant, but carnival trailers are still quite prevalent! Giant's Fish Camp, located on the Alafia river was originally owned by Aurelio Tomaini, the "Worlds Tallest Man" at 8'5". Al owned the motel and fish camp until he passed away in 1962, but the camp is still operating today.

100 years ago, word that the Circus was coming to town was big news. The Big Top pulled into town on the train, or in circus wagons, set up their tents, performed and then moved on. Children couldn't wait to see the animals perform inside the big tent.

Circus goers thrilled to the high-wire acts and laughed at the antics of clowns. Some dreamt of running away and joining the circus, traveling from one town to another; a life of adventure, and excitement. For performers, animal trainers, high wire acts, the circus could be a life of romance, adventure and hard work. But for the Side Show performers it was a life that offered a community that accepted them, and a way to earn a living that  was unavailable to Siamese twins, giants, dwarfs and fat ladies or those with strange deformities .

The Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus performed every January in Tampa as a kick off to their season. Since Janice's birthday was in January, we often celebrated her birthday with a night at the circus.

The modern circus had evolved to include new technologies, blending new acts with the standard animal acts of roaring tigers, bareback stunt riders on beautiful horses, and of course the famous elephants.


 No longer held in a tent, it still held the magic and excitement of 100 years ago. The expression "3-ring circus" came to life. The sights and the sounds-- blaring music, bright lights, popcorn, straw on the floor-- added to the wonder.

The Ringmaster held everything together as your eyes moved from ring to ring. One act was in motion while another ring was being set up for the next act and a third ring was cleaning up from the last.

And all the while clowns, and clown cars kept your attention as the acts transitioned.

Ca'd' Zan

If you are ever traveling through Sarasota, take the time to visit Ca'd' Zan, the winter home of John and Mable Ringling. It is a triple threat, or triple Treat of a 1920's era mansion, quite large art museum and a fascinating Circus museum. The house is beautiful, as are the grounds. The museum, also on the grounds with original art and statuary, has quite a collection of Rembrandt's, Rodin's, Botticelli's and other works of art brought back from annual trips to Europe. However, it is in the Circus museum where you get a real feel for life on the road under the Big Top; the number of people it took to pull off the magic, how they managed to feed all of them, the importance of the black smith and iron workers and leather workers, the organization and the self-sufficiency of the entire company!

There is a season for all things. Nothing lasts forever. Even so, I am sad to see the end of this era. It was an amazing part of Entertainment history, and the history of the 1900's. I'm glad my children got to see it. It will be up to them to pass the memory on to their children, because never again will we hear the words:

"Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome to the GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH!"

Spring: A Delicate Season

The season of Greening is about over. Soon we will be in the throes of Georgia heat. Before that happens I wanted to share the view from the porch (and a few places around town).

Early Spring: The earth warms and the bulbs push their new shoots up into the sun. The weather flits between winter and summer, calling for t-shirts one day, and sweatshirts or coats the next. Sunglow yellow brightens the woods in the profusion of daffodils and forsythia. However, in my yard, forsythia is a wishful thought. It puts up an effort, but this bush that is usually hard to kill, struggles.

This is one of three that were planted here 10 years ago, and it is by far the biggest one.

The Bradford Pear, clothed as a spring bride, heralds the coming season; white floral blooms springing to life throughout the woods.

April is the BIG month. Everything starts to happen. I love April, here. I love to see the mountain hillsides change from winter drab to its many shades of green; everything from apple green to a darker blue-green. I don't have any idea which trees are which, but together they create a beautiful kaleidoscope of shape and color.

Since discovering trillium growing throughout our woods a few years ago, each year invites a new treasure hunt to see if I can find the tiny wildflower.

Another treasure hunt is for the Dwarf Wild Iris.

Barely 4" tall this delicate flower sprouts up in leaf beds, in April. I'd never seen it before I moved here.

The flowering trees are the star of the season. Pink, white: Dogwood, Cherry, Apple, Oh my.

Watching the apple tree this year has been exciting. After struggling for so many years, it has really come to life. Because the deer kept eating it's foliage when we lived in Pittsburgh, we put it in a pot on the deck. The picture above is the tree the first year it was planted in the ground here in Georgia after being in a pot for so long. The picture below is the tree this spring. 

Happy Apple

The Azaleas, Rhododendrons and Mt. Laurel with their showy blooms are the crowning glory; the final stage as spring leans towards summer.

Rhododendron blooms come in a beautiful variety of colors.

Rhododendron bud opening up

Mountain Laurel is a more delicate relation to the rhododendron with its tiny cupped flowers. Though poisonous to animals and humans alike, in my yard the tufted titmouse love to hide in the safety of it's branches.

A walk in the woods reveals the native Flaming Azalea.

After Larry's busy work schedule through the winter, we are often traveling in Spring, Being here this spring to watch the woods come to life has been a delicious treat for me. Next up....Summer. And that means Family, Trips, Grandkids visiting.... Ah, the icing on the cake!