I have to admit, I have not been quite sad since Tina left me, but I am finding my way back to living life. I thought of the title of this post as I was wallowing in grief, not making forward movement. I decided that it was up to me, I had to be the one to make my life good once again.
Thank you so much Tom S, John S and Jeff C for sending money to help as I go through this hard time. I had asked for possible financial help in my last blog post, one percent helped, I did not expect even that, thanks.
This morning my computer shut off for no reason, then it asked for a password, which I furnished, and was told it was wrong. I restarted the computer and was able to connect once again.
Makes me worry about future life. If the computer were to break down, if my van were to expire, if I got sick, I would be out of everything. A hard thing to think about. Being out here all alone traveling in the van with no close family or friends can make it kind of scary.
Right now I am asking myself, “Where is my life going?” Kind of scary not to see a future. I am glad you are there reading, and on this journey with me.
But, please, I do want to make it a one sided dialog, I’d love to hear from you. Please do, it is awfully lonely out here on the road.
11-11-2015–After leaving my nice stay with Dave Finnigan, to the south I drove. First to Clearwater Beach, in that Dave said there were street performers. I saw a good acrobatic act, she said the juggler was not working that night. I ended up parking with a beach view for sleepytime that night.
Dave suggested I stop by The Ringling Museum, which I did; very nice. At the entrance I let her know that I was juggling instructor at the 1979 session of Clown College, she listed me as a teacher and got me in for only $10 instead of the normal $25. Take a look:
Museums usually do not do much for me, these things can be seen in books or on video. Yet, I was fascinated by some of the old circus paraphernalia. There are actually three museums here: The Museum of Art (opened in 1931), The Circus Museum (opened in 1948) and CA’D”ZAN, The House of John and Mable Ringling (their winter residence.)
John Ringling started out by buying up various circuses and then merging those into a bigger and bigger show. He went on to make millions with his circus. But, it ends up that when he died he only had $300 in the bank, he got into some bad deals and investments.
I remembered the name Dieter Tasso from my early days of juggling. In fact, he had seen my act at Ballys in 1981 and, after, sent a note backstage simply saying, “Great job juggler. Dieter Tasso.” This little note meant much to me. Great comedy by Dieter, take a look:
Nov 13-14–Next it was off toward the south, passing two national parks on the way. Big Cypress State Park was fascinating to the extreme. Being mainly a swamp, you cannot get to much of the park to see it.
Seeing the Big Cypress trees growing in the swamp was phenomenal, to say the least. Much growth all around, but also swampland, both sides of the road, as far as you could see.
I did see three agalators (I mean three crocagaters, no, I mean aladiles). And, numerous birds such as The White Ibis, a Wood Stork, some Great Blue Herons, a Greater Flamingo, along with others. It was fabulous.
I saw that you could get a tram right out 18 miles into the glade, yet, at $31, I did not. I did, however, right my bike the 35 mile round trip, felt good, but not much to see, mainly just swamp on each side of the road.
Off the main road, route 41, I drove 20 miles to get to Bear Island Campground on a dirt road. Well worth the long drive, this is the nicest campground I have ever been at.
Well away from all stores, with no cell phone or computer connection, I liked the isolation. There were a few other campers back there, but I pretty much had the place to myself.
Nov 15-16–Well, look that, right next door is The Everglades National Park, but, was not much to see. I drove through the top part of it, then down to a 40 mile drive to get to Flamingo, FL. Did not see many animals, either.
What I did see were mosquitoes, more than I have ever experienced before. Tried to walk a trail next to a canal, they were right on me. I ran, some followed and more were ahead. In camping, I slipped into the van so none would enter, some did, kept me up much of the night.
Normally I try not to kill bugs, but these mosquitoes were asking for it. Squishing bugs and seeing my red blood was a little much.
Rain came down heavily.
On November 16,Tina’s daughter, Erin, had to have heart surgery to repair a valve. Things went smooth and I was connected to Tina much last night to make sure. We will talk again today. Tina and I still love each other much,
Nov 17–Now on my way out to Key West, hitting all the islands. Stopped by Key Largo Library and they bought each of my books, a nice feeling.
It is mainly land that you drive on to get to Key West. I thought it would be an island, then a bridge, then an island . . . Many businesses selling to tourists.
At another library at Big Pine Key, I saw roosters running around. The librarian said that someone from Key West left some chickens off here (they run around wild at Key West, too) and they are left on their own, laying eggs, making chicks and more and more big birds.
Staying in the driveway of Bounce and Karen, who I first met in 1977, They build a beautiful house for themselves and live very comfortably. Performing now and then, they have some rental properties that keep them going.
Nov 19–Today Bounce invited me to join him and some others as they went out checking crab traps and fishing on a boat. I thought, how wonderful, then thought again. In the past, seasickness has disseminated me, so, I decided against my time out to sea.
When he returned he had two fish and many crab claws. I ask, where is the rest of the crab, he said that the claw is really the only edible part on these crabs, so he pulls them off and throws them back in. Bounce says these Stone Crabs will grow new claws and be back to normal–a good thing.
It’s been a few days, so, time for a shower. Bounce has a shower in the back yard that has a gate that people can’t see through. It was so nice to take a shower, with no clothes on, in the out-of-doors (should have seen it–well–maybe not). To look up and see coconut trees while you shower is miraculous.
Time to get these set of words off to you, hope you enjoyed the read. And, as I wrote previously, I don’t want this to be a one way posting of words. I miss you and would love to hear from you.
Hope I do>>>>>>>>>>Kit
January 2, 2016