Living dangerously without leaving home

First there was this. . .

Eeww!!
I don't know why they call it a cute appendicitis?

I won't bore you with details. Suffice to say the ER really needs to rethink customer care and compassion. How about 1/2 the flourescent lights, ditch the frickin' TV and play soft music. Soothing, people, we need soothing when we're illin'. And how about chairs that recline? I would have been much more comfortable waiting the 3 hours if I wasn't huddled under a blanket on a steel chair. Geez. It's not rocket science.
Call me and I won't charge much for a consult.

So today is day 4 post op and I'm gardening and such when what do I see?
cue "Jaws" music

A coral snake slithering across the lawn. No problem usually because they are quite shy and quick to run away, but the cat was just a foot away and what could be more fun than playing with a snake? The "brudders" as I fondly call them, are the two male cats we got as kittens well over a year ago to help with the rat infestation. Yeah, woods rats. Chewing the insulation off the wiring in Stan the van, making a nest in the rigging box and living it up in the giant puppets in the garage, er studio. Rather than poisons we figured cats would do. Well, a year and destroyed home later, (Whoopie! Curtains to climb! Yeehaw! Sofas to shred! Yowza! Toilet paper rolls! Weeee!) we've finally gotten them fixed and let them outside today. What fun they were having until I spied the coral snake approaching. So I sauntered up between the cat and the snake while talking on the phone to my mother in Wisconsin, "Yeah mom, it's red to yellow, kill a fellow, no I'm not going to kill it, it's only about 2 foot long, it'll be fine, yeah, I'm sure it's not a garder snake, " and sure enough the snake slithered the other way under the shrubs and the propane tank. Luckily the cat didn't notice. Whew! Mother Nature is in your face here in Florida. When you look down at the ground, it moves. No matter how many chemicals they spray, powder, bait, and traps they set, pest control is a misnomer.
Bring it on Mother Nature!

Bay Area Renaissance Festival

Looking to spend some time outside under a treed canopy surrounded by artistry, clever costuming and some great live entertainment?

Head to the Bay Area Renaissance Festival in Tampa, weekends until April 5th. I especially enjoyed the Demzarrah Gypsies, gorgeous girls, colorful flowing skirts and aurora borealis rhinestones. I missed the Bunnies in Peril magic show at Hoggetowne but was glad I got to catch it here. The Dragon Scales & Fairy Tales show really engaged the kids and I loved the sassy dragon. Having never seen a stage hypnotist before, I was amazed and in stitches at the same time by Lady Mesmer. Goes to show how suggestive we are. Also the flamenco bolo stylings of Manolete in his Glory & Death show. Not one afraid to make a fool of himself, this guy is hot in more ways than one.

Here's a peek.

Weekends thru April 5th.
On a scale of Lynn I give it a 10.
There's nothing better than live ya know?

Robin Williams

Obviously I was jazzed to meet you when you joined us to play
at the Big Apple Circus.
Here's hoping for a speedy recovery.
Love, light, and blessings sent your way.

Swami Beyondananda

The Shift has Hit the Fan
His plays on words crack me up. Wise indeed.

FL State Fair Tampa 09

That's right folks, "Step right up for the chocolate dipped bacon!" Fair food is the best food you'll find once a year, and everything can be fried. Had a lovely time and the weather was awesome. First stop the WELDES BIG BEAR SHOW getting an up close peek at this cute family and their commitment to animals of the furry kind. Next the HAAI LIVE SHARK ENCOUNTER presented by Phillip Peters, friend from Ringling back in the day. He's quite the comedian and engages the crowd with his personality, playing on our fears keeping peeps on the edge of their seats while slipping in interesting facts about sharks and their habits. Altogether a great way to encourage understanding and thus respect and responsibility for them, both captive and ocean side.
It was a packed house at CIRCUS HOLLYWOOD next. A fine free show in a tent, a bit warm for everyone, but the acts were hot. I especially liked the horses and silks done beautifully.

Altogether a fun day at the fair. It's over for now, try to catch it next year.

Bizkit the Sleep Walking Dog

BIG CAT HABITAT

Many moons ago when I was living in California, Kay Rosaire stopped by on her travels and spoke of her dream. Sunday I had the pleasure of experiencing its fruition. A 9th generation circus animal trainer, Kay, and her family are living proof of the possibilities of a human-animal bond. I once went to the zoo with her sister Pam and brother-in-law Roger, chimp trainers, and witnessed their ability to communicate with the chimp captives there. As Pam vocalized, the zoo chimps came closer and started hooting and hollering. She obviously knew their language. I was stunned to say the least.

Circus Rosaire Movie Trailer

Their story is told in this documentary and gives hope to the power of truth and family.

Sunday I went to Kay Rosaire's Big Cat Habitat and Sanctuary for their annual fundraising show under the big top. More than once I was moved to tears. The thought that people like this are being legislated, bad mouthed and put out of business by highly organized, well-to-do people that place their doggies in daycare, makes me wonder what the heck are we coming to? We've cemented over all the formerly grassy lots that provided a softer, more natural circus tent setting appropriate for animal acts. Soleil pours asphalt on their lots to provide a sanitized version of a circus experience. These are down-to-earth, get your hands dirty people, that live and breathe animals. And they themselves are going extinct.

One after the other each family member shared with the audience their well-loved and cared for animals and countless hours of training. Training is simply time spent with animals and they live with their animals 24/7. Without the special effects and production values of a Cirque show, the audience was drawn into the warmth and obvious two-way communication. Bears, tigers, dogs, chimps, goats, camels, horses, and an elephant were featured in the hour and forty-five minute educational show.

Funny thing, when I go see Soleil I miss that special bond and energy from great animal acts. Although I love juggling, aerial and acrobatic acts, I didn't miss human acts when I saw this show. The variation of animals covered all the bases for me. As Kay exhorted several times during the show, "Spend quality time with your pets, teach them tricks and give them a job to do. It stimulates their brains and helps them bond with you." It was like a Dr. Doolittle dream come true.

On a scale of Lynn, this is a MUST see.