All moms probably know this phenomenon; your husband comes home from work and the kids go nuts over “fun Daddy” while you stand in the kitchen nagging, “Did you do your homework?  Did you eat your peas?  Have you had a bath?”  Unfortunately, grandparenhood follows pretty much the same pattern.  Grandpa buys pigs, makes bows and slingshots, and gives gun lessons while Grandma cooks meals, cleans the house, and makes sure life keeps moving along like it’s supposed to.

Today, however, was a big win for “fun Grandma” … my mom bought tickets to a traveling circus.  We got to attend the Culpepper and Merriweather Circus, probably one of the last old-fashioned types of traveling carnie show left in the United States.  They are on the road 32 weeks out of the year and feature all the traditional acts:  trapeze, gymnast, balancing act, juggling, lions & tigers, beautiful lady with horses, aerialists, clowns, etc.   It was a real treat.

Today I spent most of the day reading Stephen King’s new book, Joyland.  This was particularly apt in light of today’s activities; the book is largely about carnie-folk in an old amusement park.  I was all too aware that, as audience members, we were most definitely “rubes.”

We were all sitting on portable bleachers waiting for the show to start, and one of the clowns came by and singled me out.  He pointed at me and mimed a bored face, then looked at his imaginary watch as though he were waiting impatiently for the fun to finally start; he’d interpreted my facial expression as boredom rather than solemn introspection.  I was actually sitting there thinking about the life of a circus traveler and how they very much lived outside of society, forming unbreakable bonds only with other outsiders, yet he’d identified me as just another bored mom waiting sourly to be entertained for my $10.  I thought to myself, He thinks that in my eyes, he’s nothing more than a dancing monkey… and he hates me for it.  It was embarrassing and I ended up feeling sorry for both of us before the show even started.

The traveling circus is a dying art.  One can tune into America’s Got Talent and see more polished performers from the comfort of one’s own home.  And yet; there is something special about seeing these acts in person, under a stained and ratty tent that has been erected and dismantled thousands of times over the years.  You know the performers have performed the same acts hundreds of times in hundreds of towns, yet for every little kid in the audience this is something magical and new and palpably exciting.  High on cotton candy, they marvel at every feat.  A live performance just has something special that can’t be captured in any other way.

Outside the Big Top. Our group is at the back (from left: Holden, Isabella, Josie, Sharon, Brenda)

Holden with his prize. He won a stick with streamers on it by finding a “ticket” in his bag of roasted peanuts.

Grandma enjoying her grandchildren

The Balancing Guy

Earlier today:  Isabella is getting really good with her bow.  She still hasn’t hit the exact center of the bullseye, but she’s usually within a few inches.  It’s amazing how much progress she’s made.  She’s also shown a real aptitude for shooting guns.  As long as she’s wearing her contacts so she can see, she does a really good job.  Grandpa pronounced her “a natural.” (I think she’s secretly hoping for the whole world to go to hell in a hand basket so that her “natural” skills will be useful.  And yes, she’s wearing a wrist brace in this photo … because she’s serious.)

Josie’s big passion is pigs; Holden’s is turtles.  He was sad to learn that Idaho County just isn’t turtle country (too cold) so Grandpa agreed to carve one out of walnut for him.  Here is Holden learning the basics of wood working; he’s too young to use the power machines (like the bandsaw pictured here) but he was fascinated just to watch.  The turtle is coming along nicely and hopefully will be ready for it’s big debut sometime soon.

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday have been a blur of relaxation and family time.  The weather turned unpleasant, so we’ve been holed up reading (one of the books I blew through was Howie Mandel’s Here’s the Deal: Don’t Touch Me which I thoroughly enjoyed) and visiting with people who pop by.

Watching cartoons after visiting the grocery store to stock up on bubble gum.

Charlotte, Tom, Judy and Arge came by yesterday for a visit, wine time & dinner.

Tom and Charlotte’s dog, Axel, and Brenda

Josie playing outside. She likes to stand on things.

More bow practice and instruction for Isabella. She’s relentless. At this rate, she’ll give Oliver Queen a run for his money by the time we leave next Tuesday.

Charlotte and Axel, with Josie standing on a big rock in the background (left)

Tom, doing what he likes best: smoking a stogie and contemplating life’s Big Questions.

Sharon (my mom) playing fetch with Max.

And finally, the turtle carving is finished!  Dad got up early every day and spent mornings in his shop showing Holden how to carve.  This turtle is made of walnut and Dad signed the bottom.  Holden loves it and says he now has a family heirloom, too.