“KITTING AROUND”
BLOG 293–CIRCUS–YOU–YES!
Don’t sleepwalk through life.
I hope to illuminate your Life with my Words.
The Wanderings of Kit (Do you wander or wonder?)
I WANT TO INSPIRE YOU TO LIVE DIFFERENTLY OR BETTER!
*** This blog looks best when viewed on a laptop or desktop computer.
*** The joy I experience in life is a wondrous thing!
*** I was hit by two different trucks, but I remain happy.
*** Going through a 37-day coma–Yikes!
*** What do you want to accomplish before you die?
*** If you read this through Facebook, see kitsummers.com/blog
*** I lived in my van for six years, visited all US national parks, and met Beth.
*** Beth and I married on 2/22/22 at 2:22.
*** I will have places to show you and tales to tell.
*** You will find secrets to unfold and good news!
*** What are you passionate about?
*** Only YOU know what is best for you.
*** Live for now! You will have had a great life when all your nows add up!
*** You cannot change the past. The future will come. All you have is now—always.
*** Have you seen >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFC5vLPDWRo
BE TAKEN AWAY WITH ME
ON WONDERFUL ADVENTURES!
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WHY I WRITE THIS BLOG
You will have many in your life who assist and teach; I hope I help guide you. Coaches like me wish to lighten your path toward excellence. It is up to you to make your journey toward merit. I am not trying to show you “the way”; I am trying to help you find “your way.” Writing this blog each week is new and different for me—I love it! In other words, I hope to continually add to your life and bring you to a higher level.
I WANT TO INSPIRE YOU WITH MY WORDS –WORDS HAVE POWER!
Are you accomplishing what you want before your eventual death?
You can (and should) make changes to improve your life–at any age.
Start today, and know that you can build the life you desire.
YOU ALREADY KNOW
You already know much about what I write, and I want to remind you of these ideas and show that my views can provide you with additional thoughts, along with yours, to help you.
MY EXPERIENCES
Much of what I write about is taken from my experiences.
I have gone through much.
I hope to spread ideas so that you can live a better life.
Remember–only you know what is best for you.
Don’t forget–you are only as young as the last time you changed your mind!
YES, YOU STILL HAVE TIME TO FIND YOUR SUCCESS!
IT SEEMS I LIVE AN INTERESTING LIFE.
THINK — AND THEN THINK AGAIN.
WHAT NEW STORIES ARE YOU READY TO WRITE?
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TOPIC FOR THIS WEEK — CIRCUS–YOU–YES!
I wrote about Beth and our breakup in the last few blog posts. I thought Beth and I were together for the rest of our lives. I have only good thoughts of Beth, and I will never write anything against this lovely lady. I admit I was/am tremendously heartbroken, but life will continue. From now on, I will not write about Beth and our past. My love for you will always be there, Beth.
Starting with a joke >>
“I once ran away with a circus–
But they caught up with me and made me give it back.”
This blog is about the circus and circus skills.
What child does not love the circus?
Keep that child in you alive!
Did you ever think of running away and joining a circus?
Many people do; it is a way of getting away and starting a new life.
Yet, there are other ways of starting a new life. Do you need to?
Currently, I am staying with Cindy Marvell, who owns and operates the Boulder Circus Center (BCC), so it is a perfect time to write a blog on the circus. Take a look >> https://bouldercircuscenter.net/. Cindy and I have known each other for many years; a good friend she is.
Speaking of circus, did you know that, at the young age of 19, I was hired by Ringling Brothers Circus Clown College to teach juggling for the 1979 session in Florida? While there, I learned much about the circus.
The phrase “run away and join the circus” is a classic childhood desire to leave troubles behind and start a new life (which I’ve had to do a few times.) It can also mean escaping a problematic life or seeking more adventure.
The notion of ‘running away to join the circus’ has been around for as long as circuses have. Leaving your troubles behind, assuming a new identity, and starting with a fresh life certainly has its appeal. Many see this life change and strongly desire to change their lives.
Of course, the literal meaning is self-evident. Still, its symbolic meaning refers to the desire to leave one’s home and area for family reasons and a lack of opportunity. The only solution for some desperate people was to wait for the circus to come to town and leave with them as they left town.
While most circus acts look effortless and flawless, they often require months (years) of practice and work before they can be entertaining and safe. If you’re performing acrobatics, aerials, juggling, or anything similar, you must be very flexible and know how to rely on your body.
The word “circus” comes from the Latin word “cerco,” which is a Romanized version of the Greek word kirks or kilos, meaning “ring” or “circle” (as in circus ring.) The word was first recorded in English in the 14th century. The Latin circus is the romanization of the Greek κίρκος (Kirkus), itself a metathesis of the Homeric Greek κρίκος (Kirkus), meaning “circle” or “ring.”
The Roman circus was a large open-air venue for chariot races, gladiatorial combats, animal slaughter, and other blood sports—no juggling with machetes. The Circus Maximus was Rome’s largest and oldest public space and could seat up to 250,000 people.
Modern circus
Modern circuses sometimes have traditions like trained animals and preshow parades from the early Roman circuses. You will be entertained in many ways, from small one-ring circuses to big three-ring shows. The modern circus has its roots in European horsemanship displays. The traditional American three-ring circus rings come from equestrian rings that provide good visibility for the audience.
The first European circuses were run by horsemanship school teachers who found they could make more money entertaining crowds than teaching students. British composer, musician, and actor Charles Dibdin is credited with coining the word “circus.”
Unfortunately, the biggest circus show, Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, no longer travels; it has closed down. Thousands were entertained, amazed, and impressed by the RBBB show. Many will miss this circus.
A circus is a company of performers.
They put on diverse entertainment shows.
These can include >>
Clown
Trapeze
Acrobats
Contortionists
Aerialists
Juggling
Acrobatics
Animal Acts
And, of course, Ringmaster
Such a variety of things.
And where do you fit in?
Is it time for you to run away and join a circus?
The Circus Clown
Clowning has an extensive and varied history that dates back to folkloric tricksters and court jesters across time and cultures. Many suggest the earliest clowns can be found in Egypt around 2500 B.C.E.
African jesters entertained Pharaohs and other court members during the Fifth Dynasty. Legends from China’s Zhou Dynasty posit a jester, Yu Sze, laughingly convinced the emperor to forgo whitewashing the Great Wall of China, thus saving the countless individuals who would have had to undertake the arduous task.
In North America, indigenous tribes, including the Hopi and the Iroquois, employed clowns in sacred roles. The performers utilized their comedic looks and antics to expand peoples’ perceptions.
Many current clowns in America are often not funny; they are an embarrassment. Many just put on makeup, hide behind it, and say, “Oh boy, now I’m funny!” It’s such a sad thing. And I’ve seen truly clever clowns who bring joy and genuinely make people laugh. Be the second of the two.
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WORDS TO INSPIRE YOU!
Inspirational quotes and sayings have a unique ability to change the way we feel about life and can change our thoughts. They are attractive, challenging, and essential on our path to joy and happiness and finding ways to inspire ourselves and others.
THE BURST!
Inspirational quotes and ideas give us a quick and timely burst of wisdom to regain our focus, offering the inspiration needed for the day or occasion. I hope the words below bring a smile to your face and drive you to make this day and every day a fantastic event.
BE POSITIVE!
Just as positive words can make someone smile, and a well-timed amusing quote can make someone laugh, your thoughts react to the world in real-real time have this control! You have complete control over only one thing in the universe—YOUR THINKING!—and that’s where motivational quotes come in!
“YOU”
How you think and feel about yourself, including your beliefs and expectations about what is possible, determines everything in your life, and it all derives from your quality of thinking. Use quotes to move ahead in your life.
SELF-TALK IS SO ESSENTIAL—THINK RIGHT!
To stay motivated, you have to use each day as an opportunity to improve and get closer to your goals. It might sound like a lot of work—and with your busy schedule—next to impossible. But you can do it! Motivational words, yes, are just words. But they are positive words; they will keep you on track.
QUOTES WILL BENEFIT YOU!
Positive and inspiring quotes can be like sunshine on a cloudy day. They inject optimism into our thoughts, brighten our mood, and help us focus on the good in life. They remind us that even in the face of adversity, we can see the silver lining and embrace a positive attitude.
PEARLS OF WISDOM
In a world filled with challenges and indecisiveness, the power of inspirational quotes cannot be exaggerated. These pearls of wisdom uniquely uplift our spirits, can spark positive change, and fuel our motivation often when we need it most.
WORDS WILL CHANGE YOU!
The correct motivational quote can change you and things—helping you ditch the excuses, escape your comfort zone, and take action. Read these words with an open mind and learn to improve your life.
THESE QUOTES
When you read these quotes, you’ll also realize that many other people worldwide are experiencing these feelings. These feelings make you think you’re the only person who could feel this bad. But you’re not. Lots and lots of other people feel bad, too. This is the irony of it. You don’t want other people to feel crappy, but it does make you feel better or at least comforted to know that other people feel just as bad as you.
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I HOPE THE FOLLOWING WORDS ADD TO YOUR LIFE >>
Time is a circus,
always packing up and moving away.
–Ben Hecht
Clowns are the pegs on which the circus is hung.
P. T. Barnum
I have always been a romantic, believing a woman in pink circus tights contains all the universe’s secrets.
–Tom Robbins
Damn everything but the circus.
Corita Kent
The circus leaves a sweet memory.
–Fernando Botero
The attraction of the virtuoso for the public is very similar to that of the circus for the crowd. There is always the hope that something dangerous will happen.
–Claude Debussy
There’s a lot of freedom in this rock and roll circus
—it’s where all the freaks go—
and it’s the environment for me.
–Brian Molko
The circus allows one to be logical and unreal at the same time.
In the circus, anything is possible:
A man with two heads or a character with a green face.
–Fernando Botero
I never got to see the circus, though.
I have always been in love with being a trapeze artist.
–Keala Settle
Politicians have made people cry…
politics has become a circus.
–Gurpreet Ghuggi
We’re like a traveling circus…
We’re always on the go.
–Camila Alves
The students who, like the wild animal being prepared for its tricks in the circus called ‘life,’ expect only training as sketched above will be severely disappointed: by his standards, they will learn next to nothing.
–Edsger Dijkstra
I feel like I grew up in the circus.
I know planes, trains, automobiles,
and talented, weird people.
–Dakota Johnson
My people. I have given them a sense of individuality and integrity. I have not made them slaves of any god, religion, holy book, or priest. I have certainly not replaced their god. They are all a part of what I call my traveling circus.
–Rajneesh
YOU MUST IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF YOUR THINKING,
YOU CHANGE YOUR LIFE’S DIFFERENTIA—SOMETIMES INSTANTLY!
COMPOSE A NOBLE BOOK AND WRITE A BEST-SELLER.
YOU ARE AMAZING—PLAY YOUR PART!
YOU CAN TURN THINGS AROUND FAST AND ACHIEVE YOUR
WILDEST DREAMS NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE IN LIFE!
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MY DAILY JOTTINGS >>
Each week goes by so quickly, don’t you think?
It seems like time is going by faster and faster.
You must live joyfully, daily, for each day!
Do you know what you did last Monday?
Do you remember what you ate for dinner last Thursday?
Keep track of your doings for a few weeks; you will see your time differently.
Remember, the quality of your life depends on what you do each day.
10/11–After I sent my sad last blog,
Cindy wanted me to make my Salsa.
https://sites.google.com/site/summerssalsa/what-youve-been-looking-for-in-a-salsa
It came out as good as always.
Have you made some yet?
You must >>
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How to make Summers’ Salsa:
Use a can of corn
One can of black beans (or a can of mixed beans)
One can of sliced peaches or three fresh peaches
One bunch of coriander (also known as cilantro)
One a 20-centimeter (8 inches) square of Roma tomatoes (same as plum tomatoes)
One large red onion
One lemon
Two limes
Four cloves of garlic, minced
Chili powder–one spoon
Garlic salt–two spoons
Organic Maple Syrup–three spoons
One or more jalapeno peppers (depending on the heat level you desire)
Use a food processor to chop the tomatoes into small bits, about 1 or 2 centimeters (quarter-inch squares). Peel the outside of the onion, cut it into quarters, and put these in the food processor; chop so they are about the same size as the tomatoes. Drain the can of peaches, put them into the food processor, chop them the same size as the tomatoes, and add them to the bowl. Drain the corn and black bean cans, then add them to the bowl. Hand chop the coriander into small bits (about the same size as tomatoes) and add this. Squeeze the juice of the lemon and the limes into the bowl, and add some pulp if desired. Add the chili powder, garlic salt, and maple syrup. In the food processor, chop one or more Jalapeno peppers into tiny bits and then add them. Mix all of these ingredients well and enjoy your fresh salsa.
For a spicy, hot salsa, leave out the maple syrup and peaches (unless you want the sweet), add more jalapeno, and add habanero peppers for the desired heat.
Be sure to let me know how yours turns out.
Making the salsa got me back on track to the success I had found with it—I sold thousands to happy customers. Thank you, Cindy, for suggesting this.
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Today, Cindy and I were out and saw Peter Davison and his dad sipping coffee at a cafe. We are all getting older. Peter has grey/white hair and numerous wrinkles. I remember Peter doing street shows in LA as a young boy—what a change!
In the 1980s, Peter was a master of juggling, flawlessly performing all the great tricks. In the 2000s, he took up ballet and now teaches and conducts this dance technique in many places.
See–you CAN change your life and take up something new!
With Peter was his dad, Roy.
At 103 years of age, he is doing fantastic!
Physically and mentally, he is all there.
What great memories his mind holds!
You can get there, too!
Start taking better care of yourself.
Think good thoughts, exercise, and eat right.
And don’t get shot by a gangster!
Since Covid, Peter has not been performing much, and many significant changes have happened in the world since that hit. Peter is now driving a school bus, once in the morning, then again in the afternoon, to bring the kids home. He gets excellent health insurance through this; he is happy about that.
Here is Peter performing >>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4MTZaKfItc&list=PL0C2BC75FD574984F
It’s impressive to me.
10/12–Cindy and I rode our bikes to the farmers market. This market is a huge deal, and in the park-like setting, it is spectacular. There are many beautiful people in Boulder, including numerous alluring females. With so many lovely ladies here, it surprises me every time I am in Boulder.
We went to a show at the Boulder Circus Center (BCC) in the evening. Various people doing Aerial Fabric Work performed. The show is called High Flying Science, which was the theme. For every routine, there was a science theme.
The BCC
The Lyra work was dramatic and well done. One act involved six people performing routines high above our heads. Many were very flexible and fit in with the routines well. A teacup routine high above was spectacular to see.
10/13–In the afternoon, we visited Fort Collins, CO, to see another circus school, fortcollinscircus.com. Cindy had never been there before. Jessica Schultz runs the school and is very talented herself. Today was the school’s sixth anniversary.
Everything was done outdoors, as they performed with aerial fabric. Many were young, and the younger ones were just demonstrating moves. Inside were circus rig setups for the beginners to learn.
Sunday evening—time for the juggling group meeting at BCC. There was a big group there. I walked around and coached on juggling. It was a good time for all of us.
Cris Jost did two diablos while on a unicycle.
Bekah Smith passed clubs with others.
It was some excellent work.
I did some coaching and saw progress. One guy was working on learning to juggle 5 balls, and I told him he was going way too fast. I told him that juggling 5 balls at three feet high is the exact timing as juggling 3 balls at one foot high. He slowed down, and he was surprised at how much that helped.
The big Boulder Juggling Festival is on July 4th weekend.
Last year, over 100 people attended.
Will you join us this year?
10/14–3am wake up time–again! It’s extraordinary; my mind clicks on, and I wake up early and cannot sleep. It seems I have enough energy for the day, but could I do better with more sleep? Perhaps I will never find out.
Cindy had some cabinets that looked quite dismal. I painted them, and they look much better. Look around the place where you live. Are there little things like a new paint job that would make your home much nicer? You must paint, starting tomorrow.
10/15–It’s like an alarm clock goes off in my head. No matter when I start slumber, it goes off at 3 a.m., and I am up for the day.
My salsa is a big hit with this group.
Have you made some yet?
Aww, you must!
Cindy, Marc & Erin Minsky (also staying with Cindy), and I went up Canyon Road to Boulder Falls. As you will see in the photos, we saw many great things. This area has so many spectacular sites to see; it’s astonishing.
Here are the falls >>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk90FczP5UA
They are beautious–as the whole area is, you will see.
Walking up, there were many boulder rocks, which were difficult for me to navigate. As I’ve written, I’ve only taken a few falls, but I must be extra careful when negotiating such trails. I made it without difficulty, though. I remember from my young days how I would jump from rock to rock with no problem.
This evening, I saw Marc Minsky perform; he sings and plays guitar in the streets. With Marc was his wife, Erin. I saw Marc at Boulder Mall; the audiences were small, mainly because no one was around. Marc has a great voice and plays guitar well. It started getting colder, so I walked from the mall to Cindy’s house. Here is Marc >> http://marcsings.com/
10/16–I Woke up at 2 a.m. and lay there for an hour trying to get back to sleep, which didn’t happen. Once again, Kit is lacking sleep.
An early trip over to BCC, where I painted a clear/protective coating on the
Cindy purchased a small totem pole with owls cut out as I had written. This guy makes his art using big tree trunks and a chainsaw to cut the shapes. I had asked the guy there if I could come over to get the scrap wood he was not using. Today, I loaded up (with Cindy’s help) a lot of wood for fires in Cindy’s fireplace this winter.
10/17–I woke up at 2 a.m. again. I went to the computer, wrote, and watched videos. At about 3:33, I went upstairs and lay on the bed again. Surprisingly, I got some more sleepy time. But I woke up again at about 4:22, and here I am.
I got nice words sent from Beth–about time.
I care about this person much.
10/18–Awake at about 2am, again. I went to Costco and Walmart for some things, Not much today.
DO SOMETHING NEW–DAILY!
THEN, KEEP DOING NEW FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!
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THE GARDEN THIS WEEK
A self-supportive life can be a better life.
A garden would be a part of that life.
You must look into it.
Because I am back on the road, there will be no more words about the garden.
I do hope Beth keeps it up.
I did a lot of work establishing our vegetable garden.
When I drove the van seven years ago,
I grew stuff under the sunroof windows on the top.
I may start that up my van garden again.
You will find out, of course.
START YOUR GARDEN TODAY!
IT MAY BE NECESSARY FOR YOUR LIFE!
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ALL OUR LIFE, WE MUST CHALLENGE OURSELVES!
YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK >>
Learn some circus skills and show your family and friends.
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NEXT BLOG >>
You will read words of Grave Danger, is it there?
AND WHAT ARE YOU PLANNING FOR YOUR UPCOMING WEEK?
