"My Family Loved You Guys! Whatever You're Getting Paid, It's Not Enough."- Man At Intermission

Monday, May 20: Bethel, OH-4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Miles:  78
Lot: Tate School Grounds

Shelby and I both had rough starts this morning. Even taking a nap and "starting the day over" didn't help very much. Luckily by the time the shows rolled around, everything was going more our way.

Our friend, Karen Lukes, a former circus clown, came to the first show with her kids, a friend, and her friend's kids. Karen made delicious cookies for me and Ryan to share; thank you, Karen!

It was another hot day, and the heat really took it out of both me and Ryan. We really had to try hard for the second show; both of us were wiped out and just a tad delirious as well.

Here we are with a couple of our fans in Bethel:

 Caden, who was wearing an Incredible Hulk shirt, hence our poses

And baby Landon. Believe it or not, this was his first circus!

After the shows I was getting cleaned up when there was a knock on my door. It was a young man named Nicholas who has been clowning for the past four years.

He and his mother came back to find me after the show to learn more about working for a circus.

I gave them a brief synopsis, and then I gave Nicholas one of our postcards listing our website, blog, and Facebook addresses. I always enjoy helping then next generation!

I would have liked to have talked with Nick and his mom longer, but we had to drive to the next town.

The lot in Bellbrook is next to a school, and we need to be there very early in the morning. Therefore, it was decided to do the jump tonight.

On the way out of town we encountered a very nasty wreck. One car had its front bashed up and the other was farther away and upside down!

It was definitely a sobering reminder that the road can be very dangerous.

Luckily Shelby and I made it to Bellbrook safely, and after a long day I was definitely ready to get some sleep.

In conclusion, check out this interview with me conducted by Brian A. Bernhard for his project "A Fool's Idea". You can listen to the interview and learn more about Brian's project here:

http://www.afoolsidea.com/archives/776

OR you can download the interview (FOR FREE!) from iTunes and listen to it whenever you want!

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ep.-15-steve-copeland-fools/id609236080?i=159687942&mt=2

"...To The Moon And Back"- Brittany

Sunday, May 19: Osgood, IN-2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Miles: 61
Lot: fairgrounds

This morning our route took us back up and down all the hills we traveled yesterday. This morning we had fog as well!

Beth spent last night with us, so she made the jump too. Before the shows she and Ryan had a jam session. She was on her concertina and Ryan was on his accordion.

It was a hot day. The fact that we were doing afternoon shows on blacktop did not help matters.
During the first show, every time I looked at the audience I saw most people fanning themselves. It must have been miserable in the seats, because there were a lot of people jammed together.

Two years ago a little girl named Brittany colored one of the pages from the coloring book and gave it to me via John Moss. I went out after the show to thank her and her mom.
Today during the first Intermission Brittany came up with her mom and handed me an envelope addressed to Clown Steve.
I opened it up and read the letter inside:

That'll pick up your spirits on a hot circus day. Thank you, Brittany.

I made Ryan (and hopefully the audience) laugh in the mouth chase by hanging the tongue out of the mouth and panting to comment on the temperature. Looks like I have a new bit for the summer months!

After the shows Shelby and I decided to stay in for the night to have dinner and watch a movie. It was a great evening.

"The First E Is Backwards"- Boy Correcting Our Steve & Ryan Logo

Saturday, May 18: Liberty, IN-2:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Miles: 91
Lot: middle school

There were a lot of steep hills on this morning's jump, which surprised me. I never think of Indiana as hilly country.

Beth Grimes came back today to do some more guest clowning.
I was happy that people were a lot friendlier during Intermission today than they have been in some of the other more recent towns.
Ryan and I spent a lot of time talking to a gentleman named Charley during the second Intermission. He drove a long way to see us today since we aren't playing closer to him this year.
He and some teens I chatted with during the first show were all very interested in circus life.

Between shows Shelby and I took Emmie and Polly out to play in the grass. Polly enjoyed running around and perching on Shelby, whereas Emmie spent most of his time attacking me.
I had to save Polly a couple of times when Emmie ran right for her; he could eat her in one bite!

After the shows Armando and Natalia threw a big BBQ for their son, Renzo's, birthday. It was a nice get together, and the weather held out for us; it only sprinkled for a few seconds before the cake cutting.

"You Guys Are The Best Part Of The Show. I Laughed My @$$ Off."- Man At Intermission

Friday, May 17: Madison, IN-4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Miles: 31
Lot: High school

On this morning's route slip there was a note that said everyone had to be on the lot in Madison by 6:45 a.m.
I left 15 minutes before the call time (I needed to get fuel), and I still just made it to the lot in time.

I have been on the look out for baby duck since Easter, and today I noticed there was an Orscheln's Farm Store not far from the lot.
Expecting the answer to be "no", I called just to see if they had any ducks. The lady answered, "I just sent a girl to go pick them up. She should be back in 15 or 20 minutes."
Whoo hoo!

Shelby and I walked over to the store to see our choices. There were two groups of ducks; one group contained two day old ducklings, and the other group were three to four weeks old.
I decided that I wanted a younger one so I could bond with it; I don't want another vindictive, bloodthirsty duck like Emmie on my hands.

There were two types of ducklings: Pekins and Mallards. I told the clerk that I wanted a Pekin, so she reached in and grabbed one.
I didn't really get a good look at her (I think it's a her) until we got home, but she is adorable!

Shelby and I spent the day bonding with and falling in love with her. I decided to name her Polly since she likes to perch on our shoulders like a pirate's parrot.

Our friend, Jeff Schott, came to visit today. He brought some fresh fruit and coconut water with him!

Me and Shelby joined Jeff and Ryan and his family for lunch over at a Mexican restaurant.

Ryan was nice enough to pick up the tab.

After lunch we walked next door to explore a big flea market. I didn't find anything for myself, (although I did see sets of Batman movie trading cards that I had when I was a kid), but I did pick up a copy of the book "Angels and Demons" for Radar.

Jeff watched the first show, and then we visited with him for awhile afterwards. I'm so glad he got to come out and see us.

During her evening walk Shelby found a bookstore that had a lot of cheap books. They were going to be open until midnight for a "Magic: The Gathering" tournament, so we headed over after I got cleaned up from the shows.

I didn't find anything that piqued my interest, but Shelby got a copy of "The DaVinci Code" for Radar to go with the book I got him earlier today.

"Your Make Up Looks Like You Got Burned By The Sun"- Little Girl To Ryan

Thursday, May 16: Charlestown, IN-4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Miles: 91
Lot: Jonathan Jennings School Grounds

Since we drove about 20 miles of the jump last night, Shelby and I got to sleep in a whole 15 minutes this morning!
After clearing the sleep from our eyes, we drove the remaining 71 miles to Charlestown.

Mr. North returned to the show today, and he treated the company to a belated Cinco De Mayo lunch at the Charlestown Pizza Company, a wonderful restaurant run by Tavana's sister.
Shelby and I were two of the first people to arrive, so we got the choice selections as the food was brought out. I was happy that I got to sample my two favorite offerings, the mashed potato pizza and the bacon brownies. Yum!
Thank you, Mr. North, for a great meal!

This morning Shelby and I noticed that there was a laundromat right next to the lot. I don't ever remember seeing it before; how fortuitous that it is there now.
I was not surprised that we saw many of my co-workers taking advantage of the laundry's convenience.
It was also the cheapest laundromat I've run across on the road. The biggest washers were only $3; in some places the little top loading machines are $2.50!

The humidity really took it out of me today. Besides zapping my energy, I had a nasty headache, most likely from dehydration.
The majority of the people we met at the Intermissions of the two shows did not help my headache. There was a group of loud kids sitting behind us in the second show that shouted questions to us almost the entire time we were signing books.
Besides that, a lot of people were very rude. It was tough to just smile and bear it, but luckily there were a few nice families that we encountered.

"You Guys (The Circus) Are Marketing Geniuses! My Son Doesn't Even Like Peanuts; He May Be Allergic To Them! But He Bought 5 Bags!"- Impressed Man At Intermission

Wednesday, May 15: Rushville, IN-4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Miles: 25
Lot: Rush Co. Conservation Club Grounds

As I was arriving in Rushville, I saw Raul stopped in the parking lot of a Goodwill and waving for me to pull in as well.
I parked behind his trailer and watched as everyone else was directed to the parking lot to wait.

I'm not sure what was wrong with the lot, but apparently it was unsuitable, and a new one was being found.
After about an hour of waiting, we started to see show vehicles that were parked at the Walmart up the road go past us, theoretically on the way to the new lot.
I figured that was our cue to follow.

We ended up going to the same lot that we have played every year in Rushville. I'm not sure why we were going to a show another lot in the first place.

It was a beautiful, hot day. Ryan was outside until showtime carving new foam props. I'm glad he finds better uses for his time rather than sitting in front of the computer rotting his brain away, like I do.

The sawhorses were set in the wrong place for the first carpenter gag, and Ryan went to move them without me being aware of it. This threw off the timing for one of our bits, and the gag went downhill from there.
It was a rough act; my apologies to anyone reading that may have seen it. It's crazy how one little mistake can you throw you off for the entire act.

Kyle came to visit again today, and to watch the second show.
During Intermission a woman was having a hard time taking a picture of us with her (grand?)daughter. We offered for Pete to take the picture so they could both be in it.
At first she declined, but finally the lady agreed to join the picture. She put her hands around me and Ryan's waists, and then she said, "Where do you want me to touch you?".
Before I could respond in puzzlement, her hands were sliding down our waists, across our butts, and to points unknown.
Ryan and I screamed like little girls just as the picture was taken. I'm sure it's a priceless photo.

Afterwards I was feeling pretty dirty and violated, but on the upside I don't need to get a physical done anytime soon. The lady said she'd have our results in a few days.

After the shows, I said a quick goodbye to Kyle, and then Shelby and I jumped in my rig and got off the lot before the bandwagon blocked us in.
Everyone was instructed to move off the lot to a gravel area in case of rain, but Shelby and I decided to put a few miles under our belts.
We drove about 20 miles to a Walmart parking lot and settled in for the night.

"Es Carne De Burro (It's Donkey Meat)"- Line From "The Simpsons"

Tuesday, May 13: New Castle, IN-4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Miles: 52
Lot: elementary school

There was an inviting restaurant named "Stacks" directly in front of where I was parked this morning, so after unhooking and getting Emmie set up, Shelby and I walked over and had breakfast.
Shelby had french toast topped with fresh fruit, and I had eggs florentine; we both agreed that our meals were amazing.

Several of us were parked in some very thick, tall grass today, so Mike the drummer was nice enough to come by with his weed whacker to clear walking paths by our trailer doors. Thanks, Mike!

I was parked pretty far from the backdoor, and there was really no easy way to get the props into the tent, so I drove my truck around the block to a parking lot right next to the back door. I was able to back into a parking space that gave us a straight shot to the performer's entrance.

Kyle Winchester came to visit for awhile today, and he guest clowned on the midway before and after the shows, as well as joining me and Ryan at Intermission.

A gentleman and his son at the first show told me and Ryan how much they enjoy coming to the show and harassing us from the front row. Last year they had to drive a long way to see the show since we didn't play New Castle. Some people go to great lengths to harass clowns.  :o)

Here's a picture of me, Ryan, and Kyle with one of our fans in New Castle:

Thank you, Doug, for sending the photo in. Kudos to me for knowing where to look!

During the shows, Shelby likes to go for walks to explore whatever town we're in. During the second show tonight she went across the street to a Rural King and picked up a new exercise pen for Emmie.

I've been meaning to do it for awhile, but my laziness and apathy kept holding me back.

Thank you, Shelby, for showing some initiative and making me spend some of the money from my miserly stash.