December 2017

A breath away from 18, I eased into an encounter with a lion tamer. By then I already had plenty of experience on the road showing horses, so nomadic blood spiraled through my veins. When not setting up and tearing down for horse shows, from place to place, I found other creative paths to distract me from school. When the circus rolled into town one autumn day, the circus performer with a mane of bronze curls got wind of me. He called from the fairgrounds to inquire about whips. Long whips for his big cats. I told him I had a few about 6’ in length. Now it’s unlikely an untethered teenager peddling equestrian supplies as a sideline, would demure or defer. So when he asked if I could deliver, I agreed to make the drop behind the big top – that evening. Read More »