Saturday, October 15, 2016

Nice to see...

...... "Anna May's" Spec Blanket at the Museum in Sarasota yesterday!

Posted by Buckles at 10/15/2016 05:05:00 AM

8 comments:

Chic Silber said...


Nice bubbles

15 October, 2016 09:41
Buckles said...

We were at our last days at Circus World, a one ring show and with small crowds I would occasionally let Ted or Gary clad in coveralls work an act to get experience with what would later become an end ring act on tour.
This was the situation one day when unbeknownst to me Mr. Feld was in the audience explaining to some important people how terrific his latest discovery was.
Afterward out back I was faced by a man so enraged he could hardly talk, he started off by yelling "See this man here! (pointing at Kenneth who was acting like he was writing in a note book) "You ____ on him today!.....and if you think you're going to ____ on me you are sadly mistaken!.....as far as I am concerned you can pick up your crap and ....
I spent a night wondering if I had a job the next day but I never heard any more.

15 October, 2016 11:28
Larry Louree said...

I remember one day for the late show, you, Barbara and been all were gone and I don't remember if it was Gary or Ted suited and ran the act. The funny part to us watching, was the bulls knew the routine and the music ques so well they knew when to style,and the presenter was taking his queues from the bulls to style. It was a really good act, and the guys got better because the next year they went in the road to blue with you, but it sure gave us a smile and chuckle watching them keep up with the girls. It's a lot harder to present than it looks and you always made it look easy, Buckles.

15 October, 2016 11:57
Buckles said...

.....I forgot to mention, after he stormed off, Kenneth calmly walked up, note book in hand and calmly asked. "h
How many more bull tubs will you need?

15 October, 2016 11:58
Patricia said...

1983 or so Carson and Barnes 'big act' had 18 in the tent- 3 act, 5 act, 3, 4, 3- I had an end ring with three. One day I show up for the act and Okie Carr (elephant boss for those who don't know) hastily said that one of his guys had blown.

"Pat, you take the five act" Now remember, we're dressed and lined up ready to go in. "Which ones are they?" I asked. Okie said, "Find Opal, count two to the left and two to the right!" (Opal had a nervous habit of tugging on one of her teats, and it was mighty droopy and quite distinctive) I said "But I don't know the routine..." Okie laughed "Don't matter, THEY do, just say move up and get out of the way! GO ON AWAY!"

So in we went to our ring, Alta, Isla, Opal, Kelly, Tracy and I- they worked fine of course and I had them the rest of the season. Talk about a crash course with a new herd!

16 October, 2016 07:48
Chic Silber said...


Great story Patricia thanks

16 October, 2016 09:10
BARBARA WOODCOCK said...

On the Dailey Bros. Circus sometimes Rex would make it to the back door, then he was on all fours. He couldn't make it any further. So I just went on ahead with the Norma D. Cristiani Bulls. ( which they later became.) I got a lot of practice like that. They were punks back then, and a little harder to work. But a good education. I also had to work the bulls on the lot at night. I started out on the steak puller and worked my way up to the team. First Cutie, and Trixie. then Myrtle & Lucie. Patricia it was a little harder I think for women than men because of their lighter sounding voice I think. Then as time went on it was the same with all the herds we worked together. But it was a good education for us. Don't you think ?.........Barbara........

16 October, 2016 20:42
Patricia said...

I absolutely agree, Barbara. While the voice thing was never an issue for me (I naturally have a lower register which has served me well!) but I agree completely that the circumstances of being thrown into situations unexpectedly can have enormous learning benefits. On occasion during the '80's I too would work bulls in harness (Barbara or Suzy) and honestly I got quite a kick out of it. Didn't like setting seats, though.

You know, for gals like you who grew up in the business I want to point out my admiration and what inspiration you were to me. You and I never worked together Barbara but women like Gee Gee and Lucy Loyal were cut from a similar cloth. Since I came into the business from the outside, I think I was able to objectively observe- and learn- how much intestinal fortitude it really took for a woman to survive in this unique life of circus. Amazing. Thanks for allowing me into your world. What a ride.

17 October, 2016 09:14

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