Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Portrait of Cathy, and some circus family news.


August 31, Burnettsville.

I was going backstage to get a picture of people getting ready.
Then a picture of Cathy just appeared.
It's been a hot day, a slow day for the show.
It's been a family day for the Fuscos, as the twins arrived yesterday with wives and children in tow. Tomorrow will be a sad day for our circus family as LeBron is leaving to go home and take care of his ailing parents.
I'll miss him, his wave in the morning when we drive through town and see him walking, a sure sign we have arrived. Goodbye and see you soon.

A trailer with a view.


August 31, Burnettsville, Indiana (35 miles, town park.)

Monday, August 30, 2010

Regular.


August 30, Winamac.

Radar is now a regular in the tiger arena.
Natalie has fitted and decorated a suit for him, rhinestones and all, and he smiles more now.

Learning the ropes.


August 30, Winamac.

A trailer with a view.


August 30, Winamac, Indiana (60 miles, fairgrounds.)

More of Dylan's images.





August 29, Bremen.

Dylan took up the camera once more and in five minutes had gotten some great shots.
There is nothing like fresh eyes (the challenge, and he beat me soundly; those are wonderful interiors.)

Floor puzzle.


August 29, Bremen.

Keeping everyone indoors is not always easy, and puzzles come in handy (especially when they create a sustained brotherly cooperation.)

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Dylan again.

August 29, Bremen.

If it existed surely we'd get ourselves a frequent visitor card at emergency rooms across the country.
Dylan started coughing ugly yesterday after getting a cold the day before. I knew what was coming, the dreaded asthma attack, but the cough took me by surprise and left me worried to death. It got worse as the day went on, and I spent the night watching him breathe. There was a birthday party for Gordo Poema and we didn't go but heard the sounds of the reveling as from a great distance, and I spent the rest of the night agonizing over whether to go through the motions of unhooking the truck and driving to the nearest hospital, some twenty miles away, or wait til morning, but maybe it would be too late, what were the symptoms I was looking for to know when the attack was turning dangerous, was I making the wrong decision?
The night advanced slowly, sleepless but for quick, potent nightmares.
This morning during the drive he coughed so hard he vomited, and even though I know it happens and it's not serious, the sight of him looking so distraught struggling for air in the rear mirror was the deciding stroke. We drove to the hospital, mercifully right here in town, as soon as we arrived on the lot.
I am glad we went: hearing the diagnosis is often as healing as swallowing the medicine (he has asthmatic bronchitis,) and I could finally ask all those questions burning on my tongue about asthma and get some definite answers from a health care professional.
Oh but how these episodes leave me frayed, as if the anxiety bore like a seesaw at the core of my body, leaving me drained and exhausted beyond belief.

A trailer with a view.


August 29, Bremen, Indiana (42 miles, Sunnyside park.)

Saturday, August 28, 2010

A trailer with a view.


August 28, Middlebury, Indiana (31 miles, Coachmen factory.)

Friday, August 27, 2010

As time goes (Sara and Gigi.)


August 27, Edwardsburg.

Two years ago I took a picture of Sara and then one-year-old Gigi (see the October 11, 2008 entry.) Today I posed them at the same place in a futile attempt to stop time once again.

Windy day.


August 27, Edwardsburg.

Interiors (Little Sisters.)


August 27, Edwardsburg.

The Little Sisters are leaving tomorrow. How time flies.
They asked me to take a picture of a little flower they have that won't die.
This is their prayer corner, at the back of their van. The pillow with circus performers embroideries (and Fridman doing the rola bola) was made by Little Sister Monika, who was with them at Carson and Barnes; she's now back in Germany. Mon petit coin de priere, said Priscilla.

A trailer with a view.


August 27, Edwardsburg, Michigan (36 miles, on U.S. highway 12 next to H&R Block.)

Thursday, August 26, 2010

At Sandro's.




August 26, Benton Harbor.

A trailer with a view.


August 26, Benton Harbor, Michigan (93 miles, Orchards Mall.)

Sunday, August 22, 2010

A trailer with a view.


August 22, Mesick, Michigan (56 miles, corner of Route 115 and Route 37.)

Saturday, August 21, 2010

A trailer with a view.


August 21, Mancelona, Michigan (58 miles, Palmer park.)

Friday, August 20, 2010

All the women.


August 20, Indian River.

Karen (upper left,) the eldest of the Fusco sisters, has been visiting with her daughter, Allyson.
It was at Chimera four years ago that we met her and her family (her husband, Raul, is a juggler.) She and the other women on the show surprised me with a baby shower for Nicolas; I was seven months pregnant and I started crying (it was to be my one and only shower.)
I'm happy to report that Tatiana's pregnancy is going well.

On the road.


August 20, Indian River.

A trailer with a view.


August 20, Indian River, Michigan (83 miles, Masonic grounds.)

Thursday, August 19, 2010

View from the door.


August 19, Houghton Lake.

Before going in.


August 19, Houghton Lake.

Watch.


August 19, Houghton Lake.

As Radar worked in the arena, Casey was right behind, watching.

Radar McCoy.


August19, Houghton Lake.

Radar did the tiger act in the first show.
John introduced him as "Radar McCoy." Everybody was out watching; Tavana had her hands to her mouth.

A trailer with a view.


August 19, Houghton Lake, Michigan (102 miles, Nester Chevrolet.)

Second show.


August 18, Reese.

Tree.


August 18, Reese.

At its feet the sugar beet field went on farther than the eye could see.

The boys.


August 18, Reese.

We all but shaved off Nicolas' hair yesterday so we can clean his scalp of the cradle cap remains the doctor at the emergency room last week told me could get infected and prevent hair growth. I call him my Buddhist monk; he looks awesome, but then the kid would look awesome with purple hair, bien sur.

A trailer with a view..


August 18, Reese, Michigan (69 miles, school grounds.)

Lake Huron.


August 17, Port Austin

Dylan on the beach at Lake Huron.


August 17, Port Austin.

Kayaks.


August 17, Port Austin.

A trailer with a view.


August 17, Port Austin, Michigan (86 miles, old school grounds.)

Monday, August 16, 2010

A trailer with a view.


August 16, Frankenmuth, Michigan (26 miles, River Place shops.)

Sunday, August 15, 2010

River bottom.




August 15, Flushing.

Tent.


August 15, Flushing.

Playing circus.


August 15, Flushing.

A trailer with a view.


August 15, Flushing, Michigan (29 miles, Riverview park.)

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Pierrot le Flaco.


August 14, Holly.

With Nellie away Adrian dresses Flaco up for the act and brings him backstage.

The Poemas.


August 14, Holly.

Nellie has been gone a week now; Adrian has the whole family in his care.
Before the Risley act in the second show he and Cathy helped Gordo get ready while he and Mariana bickered.

A trailer with a view.


August 14, Holly, Michigan (48 miles, Holly Street.)

Friday, August 13, 2010

Intermission.


August 13, Fowlerville.

John.


August 13, Fowlerville.

Steve.


August 13, Fowlerville.

The ducks' names are Ralph (almost white, foreground,) and Norton (background.)
They are five-month-old crested ducks Steve got in Hugo.

A trailer with a view.


August 13, Fowlerville, Michigan (50 miles, fairgrounds.)