Everybody Loves Otto



Simone & Otto

Move over Leon Phelps...



  I've been working with American Eskimos for more than nine years never giving a second thought to having any other breed of dog in my act.  They are such a pretty athletic breed that have been seen in circuses for many years.  Then along came Otto. 



Otto came along from a ride
in the bottom of our stroller.



  A friend from church happened to mention that she needed to find a home for her male mini Schnauzer.  Being the sucker that I am for animals that need homes, I said I'd take him before I even completed the thought.  At first, I thought it'd be cute to have a little Toto-looking dog around the house. (Toto was a Carin terrier but mini Schnauzers look similar.)  Then I brought him home and saw what a lively little guy he was.  He was bouncing and jumping all over the place and lived to please & play.  Then I thought how cute he'd be at the end of the line up in the dog act.  Having all these pristine white Spitz sitting up pretty looking so regal...and at the end would be a little black bouncing little terrier doing all the "bad stuff" in the act. I pictured him running under hurdles and causing general chaos. 





Otto's the REAL ladies' man!
Karina & Otto

  Little did I know I'd brought home a natural born performer.  It took only a couple weeks to seat break Otto, have him jump through hoops and ride in the baby carriage.  I've even taught him to jump off the high dive into my arms.  He learned to jump through the two rungs of my hurdles and run underneath them in about two seconds.  It doesn't matter what this little guy does in the show, whenever he comes down off his seat, before he even does a trick I can hear the audience go, "AWWW!!!"  And when he jumps in the baby carriage they go bananas!  



  When the season started a couple weeks ago, I told Simone and Lana (my helper in the show) to listen to the audience when Otto does anything...they are like puddy in his paws!  Simone says that every show she looks for the "surliest looking person" she can find in the audience and watches their reaction when Otto works.  She says without fail, they smile big!  A friend of mine who's had a dog act for years once said she never thought of using a black doggie in her act, but she sure loved Otto and watched him work almost everyday!  Everyone from show owners and prop guys to total strangers have commented on his appearance in the show.  Simone says that no one is immune from Otto's cuteness.  The fact is, everybody loves Otto.



Otto & Lana after the act.
In his signature scarf...
he's secure enough to sport pink!



I said "ladies' man" Mel Ray.

    

West Texas Winds and Family Ties

  If you've ever been out in west Texas you're probably familiar with the high winds.  Today is the first day in a while that's been still.  The other day temperatures soared into the upper '80's with over 45 mph winds.  We were all bracing for the cold front that was supposed to move in around 8:00pm.  And boy did it come in, complete with over 65mph winds.  The temperature dropped quicker than I'd ever felt and by late night we had a nice covering of snow on the ground.  The high winds blew all night rocking the trailer and blowing dust through the frames of the windows.  Around 9:30 or so the three of us dared to treck outside over to Robin & Ron's in our p.j.'s & robes.  We could smell the popcorn as we approached the door...YUM!!       



Paulina, Lana holding Tootie, Noah, Robin & Georgia



Robin & I are popcorn fanatics and she makes at least two bowls almost every night.  She uses nothing but olive oil, no butter and lots of salt (of course, she's a Chandler LOL)  It's the best popcorn, even beats theater popcorn in my book! :) 

  We all sat around watching one of our favorite '80's sitcoms, Family Ties.  They have the dvd set and play it often enough that even my 8 year old nephew recites many of his favorite lines (of course he would, he's a Chandler LOL).  I can remember watching Family Ties every Thursday night right after The Cosby Show.  It was one of our favorite shows even back then.  We thought Justine Bateman's character was such a fashion plate.  Since the '80's styles are making a come back in a big way you can see the styles "Mallory" wore in many of those episodes in department stores today.  Ballet slippers and skinny jeans...who'd have thought they'd come back with a vengeance? 

  Four bowls of popcorn and 4 episodes of Family Ties later, the girls and I were getting sleepy.  We trecked back home and snuggled in bed, furnace going full blast.  Georgia's film pick was the Sword in the Stone...a Disney classic!  We made it about 20 into the movie and I saw the girls were sound asleep. 

  The trailer rocked all night from those winds.  The next day I wiped down every window sill and counter top in the trailer. The sun had done a fine job melting the snow off our truck and trailer.

Getting Into A Routine

  It usually takes me a week or two to get settled into a routine.  Routines are very important to just about every circus person I know.  Personally, when I get out of my daily routine, it can throw me off and make me feel like I am running late all day long.  Get up early, get to the lot, get parked, set up trailer, unload and take care of dogs, kids, breakfast, putting the props in the tent, etc....and  the day goes on. 

  This year teaching Georgia is a part of my daily routine.  I had the pleasure of teaching two of my neices a couple of years ago.  Today there's the option of school on cd rom which does help save on the space that is always at a premium in trailers.  Having taught school on computer, my niece and I noticed there was no room for more than one correct answer.  There were several times Paulina's answer on a test was counted wrong on the computer when it could have been counted correct.  I remember telling her that when you take a test, it's not always necessarily about giving the right answer, but giving the answer they are looking for.  Right now we are using school books and I think that's what we'll stick with.  Georgia enjoys school and is eager to learn and easy to teach.

  Practicing with the dogs is also a part of my routine.  Although I don't usually do a full practice session on a daily basis, I can almost always squeeze in 10 minutes here & there during the day.  Some practice is better than no practice. 

  It doesn't take long to figure out what time I need to start getting ready for the show.  Almost everyone I know gets ready very early the first week or so.  I'm usually in make up and wardrobe far earlier than necessary at the beginning of the season.  Especially if I am on a new show.  I try to get ready in plenty of time in case something unexpected crops up.  It only took one time for the dogs to mysteriously get loose or for one of the kids to suddenly need my immediate attention when I'm half made up and I learned to try to allow for enough time, just in case...  But I admit, there are days here & there when I get a little lazy, take a risk, and get in the shower at the very last minute...most of the time I get lucky and am able to make it in plenty of time.  But there have a few times I've woefully regretted those lazy days.

  One of the highlights of our daily routine is my sister's cookhouse!  Robin prepares two meals a day and has it down to a science.  I love the fact that she still puts the flag out when cookhouse is ready.  I try not to check her menu because I like to be surprised.  I've already come to terms with the fact that I will gain weight this season!  And happily so! :)  The other day she made caramel cake for dessert.  Need I say more? 

  Then of course the show is obviously the biggest part of everyone's daily routine.  I still can't recognize the music so I don't know what's going on in the show when I'm getting the dogs ready.  Usually I pay attention to the music and there will come a certain part when I know it's time to pull the wagon to the back door.  I think everyone subconsciencly listens to that 'certain part of the music' that  tells them they're almost on.  I'm sure it won't be long till I'll be able recognize that 'certain part.'

  Tear down is always the kind of fast & furious part of my daily routine.  A lot of people try to get started a bit early so they can have a little extra time when they're done working.  This year's set up is a little different for me and things are stored in different places so it's taking me a while to get a little methodical about tear down.  Georgia likes to help me now & then.  I can't believe she's big enough to give me a hand.
  My favorite part of our routine is when everything's packed away, the slides are in, the dogs are sleeping  and the girls & I are snuggled up in bed watching d.v.d.s.  We usually have a snack or two. Or three.  Georgia's been picking out the 'nightly film features.' (Chandlerism)  It's been lots of Simpsons & Disney as of late but last night she cheerfully surprised me with my favorite cartoon, Eloise.  It was so good we watched it twice! 

 
   
 

Day Five



Simone & me
 C&M 2011

   It's day five of the 2011 C & M season.  This is my 8th (non-consecutive) season on the show and I've always really liked it here.  I have a lot of history and wonderful memories from my years here and I know the girls and I are in for another fun season!
  Opening day went off pretty smoothly.  For me personally I was nervous about the dog act.  I have to be ready for anything when I put one new dog in the line up...but two!!  Well, I just couldn't imagine what I was in for.  Charlotte & Dixie II did so well at home in practice.  Everyday they performed their behaviors with ease.  I even invited some of my friends from church and their little ones over a couple of weeks ago to watch an extended practice.  It was a good opportunity to see how the new perfomers would react with people watching, hearing the chatter of kids and their claps.  I was overjoyed with how well everyone did.  The dogs all seemed rather unaffected with my friends watching and clapping for them.
  But the show is always a different story.  You can take every precaution you can think of in case something goes wrong.  You can prepare for just about any unexpected happening...but you have to get through the first show and see just how things go before you get any idea of how your new ones will be afftected by the ring, the tent, lights, music, announcements, etc.  Well, my girls did just fine!  Charlotte looked around a little bewildered while she pushed Otto in the baby buggy, but she got her bearings quickly and trotted back to her seat easily.  It didn't take Dixie II long to figure out circus life is right up her alley.  She can lounge and chew on raw hides all day, play with other dogs at her leisure and there is a healthy supply of (her very favorite) cheesy ham loaf when she pushes a barrel.  By her second show, when she saw me coming with her harness and leash she got so excited she nearly jumped out of her fur.  I think in her mind: show = cheesy ham.  She's not hard to please.  I just had to hit on the right treat that lit her fire!  Dixie's a doll and I look forward to working on more behaviors with her this year.  Holly and Chilli are sure still in training and I'll be sure to included their progress and all their behaviors in the future. Pictures of the dogs are soon to come.
  I am also ringmastering the second half of the show.  This is a job I have always enjoyed and take great pride in considering my dad.  I have always tried to live up to Dad's expectations and I think he was pretty well pleased.  I take so much of what I say in pitches and stalls, announcements, etc from him.    He was so happy to help anytime I had a question.  After having not announced since 2006, I surprised myself that it all came back to me.  I have come to rely on memory too much when it comes to remembering sponsors and other announcements that change periodically.  Yesterday I started writing those things down.  (I don't want to be caught with mic in my hand and that "deer caught in the headlights" look trying hard to remember what I'm supposed to say.) 
  As I mentioned in a previous entry I'm sharing the announcing with Simone this season.  She announces the first half of the show and performs her outstanding traditional single trapeze (toe hang, heal hang, neck hang on the bar, neck spin) act in the second half.  (Years ago I gave Simone my gold cape and trapeze bar.  I absolutely cannot express how honored I am the she uses these things that were so dear to me at one time.)  She certainly carries on in my dad's footsteps with the mic in front of her.  Never at a loss for words and interjects humor at just the right time! 

  I remember when Simone first starting announcing back in 2006.  I tried to help her as much as I could from so far away but when C & M opened that year I couldn't get a call through to Simone.  I forgot to tell her one thing...I wanted to tell her that I thought it would be so special if she closed the show the way in which Dad ( and I ) did.  He used the old Irish proverb, "Good-bye, good luck and my the good Lord hold you all in the palm of His hand."  I remember Danny and Tavana were going to see the show open that season and I frantically tried to reach them in order to talk to Simone about closing the show.  The second I called Tavana, she didn't answer...she held her cell phone up and I heard Simone's voice over the mic as she closed the show the way Dad used to.  I remember being so moved and tears welling up in my eyes.  I think about Dad everyday.  I know I speak for Simone when I say we carry on in his footsteps with great pride.  And a lot of humor.

"You're Irish, you have a silver tongue...use it." -- Phil Chandler

(He was telling me to put my own spin on ringmasterting

Lessons I Have Learned

  My family has always been very close knit.  When we were kids my grandfather used to tell us time and again, "Love one another..."  My grandmother used to say things to the affect of, "In the end family is all you have...friends come & go..."  I also remember both of them saying at one point or another, "If you can go through your entire life and count your true friends on one hand, you are a lucky person."  Of course being a kid, I really didn't know the true meaning of those words.  I did to the extent a kid could understand and I knew they meant well, but I hadn't lived long enough to know, understand and experience what they were telling us.  At 41, I'm getting it.
  It always amazes me when I meet people who are not close to their family...at all.  I have friends who haven't spoken to their siblings or parents in years and think nothing of it.  I truly feel sorry for those who have somehow lost a connection with their family.  I know what it's like to have the safety net, that protection and that "home" family can provide.  Even though we are all spread out all over the country, we've always kept the bond we share strong.  With computers and cell phones it's so easy to reach out to each other now.
 During my lifetime I have made many friends and acquaintances.  I have been pleasantly and unpleasantly surprised by some of the people who called themselves my friend and some I deemed an acquaintance.  But the one thing that has never surprised me is how my family has never failed me.  We have never failed each other.  Disappointed each other at times?  Yes.  Disagreed from time to time? Yes.  Argued now & then?  What family doesn't?  But the one thing about my sisters, brother & myself is that over the years we have come to learn and relearn the lessons our grandparents drove home.  During the times in all of our lives when things were bad, perhaps bad decisions were made or words said out of anger were thrown around, we have always worked things out.  And we always forgave.  (I believe there is freedom in forgiveness.)  We have sometimes agreed to disagree and it's ok. 

L to r: Marc, Robin, Lauren, me, Jennifer
Winter 2002. 

   I find myself trying to teach my kids the same lessons we were taught about family and friends. And yes, I keep in mind that Georgia is 7 1/2.  But I believe planting those seeds now will undoubtedly help forge a strong connection with her sister and cousins like the bond my siblings and I share.  So long after I am gone, my girls will have the bond, protection and never-failing love that can come from family.  I am grateful for the lessons we were taught and even more grateful I have the opportunity to pass them along to my kids.  Our grandparents have been gone for more than 20 years now, but certainly their spirit lives on through the lessons they taught us so well.

The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook  --Proverbs 18:4

Good Times Great Oldies

Wow!  The last few days have been busy, busy, busy!  Everything from birthday parties to the birth of puppies!  I recently said (a temporary) farewell to my sister and one of my nieces as they headed back to Florida to join my brother-in-law & nephew and take care of some business back home.  And yesterday I had the pleasure of visiting a friend's old family cabin to help give her advice on interior design.  (One of my passions!)

Sleep deprived Robin & me

  A few nights ago one of my fairly recent rescues, Charlotte began to go into labor.  (When I got her I suspected she was in a family-way.)  I've only had one pregnant dog in my life and that was so long ago that I'd kind of forgotten what pre-labor behavior entailed.  Shortly before midnight the other night Charlotte went into one of the bedroom closets and started digging to China.  Red flags went up in my sister's head and she told me she thought something was in the works with the dog.  That was the night, of all nights, Robin needed extra sleep as she was facing an 1,100 mile trip to Gib-town the next day.  She tried to get plenty of rest but to no avail.  Charlotte made the biggest ruckus moving and digging in closets, under my bed and barking at nothing...then all would be quiet.  We'd doze off and then the pre-labor behaviors would start up again.  It was kind of like a scene out of a movie.  All we could think of and laugh about was the Will Ferrell phony commercial from S.N.L. that advertised a "dog training program" entitled, "Dissing Your Dog."  If you've seen it you know he "gives advice" on how to dis your dog into proper behavior.  Since the situation at hand was untimely, we made the proverbial lemonade out of lemons...that's what we Chandlers do... and are good at it!  ("You can either laugh or cry." - Dad)  So Robin & I proceeded to make each other crack up by going off on dog dissing tangents to each other...no one got any sleep till all 6 puppies were born @ 3:30 a.m.!  There were two monster pups and one runt that was missing lots of fur on her head and legs.  Thanks to the diligent efforts of my youngest niece Lana, "Runtie" was well cared for for the time she survived.  Charlotte rejected Runtie so Lana was puppy mama for a few days and did a super job!  I have thanked her profusely for efforts with the dogs (she is an aspiring dog trainer/presenter.), but verbal gratitude isn't enough for what she's done.  I'll have to think of something real special as a proper thank you!



Birthday girl/puppy mama  Lana
L to r: Pete II, Zefta, Freddie



  A few days prior to our new arrivals we celebrated Lana's 11th birthday.  If you know my nieces/nephews, you know that they are not only FUN to be around, but they are all well advanced intellectually. ( I don't say this as a brag, but it's very true statement.)  When I have a conversation with any one of the kids (ages 21 to 6 ) I find that Chandler sense of humor mixed with good old fashion horse sense from their dad.  Yet, they all have a special individual spark and an advanced intellect that for a moment makes me think I am speaking with another adult.  I guess it's hard to believe Lana only turned 11.  Since she, like so many other girly girls her age is into the "Twilight" series, her mom bought her a cake depicting one of the main characters (I don't know what vampire's who??) and she was more than pleasantly surprised!  We had friends and family down for games and lots-o-food!  Lana cleaned up in the gift department and I'd say a good time was had by all!

  Yesterday we all went to Bible study and preachin.'  I love my church family and will miss everyone terribly when we head out.  I was hoping to do a little dog practice for some of the kids at our church but haven't been able to make it all work out.  I'm not giving up hope though as there's always next Sunday.  And with all the mega long practice sessions Lana & I have been holding in the back yard, it'd certainly do the new dogs good to do a little something in front of some folks.  (Holly's rolling the barrel like a champ and Dixie is pushing the barrel perfectly.  Chilli's a seat warmer for now and is learning to push the baby carriage and jump hurdles.  Otto's high dive will be refined here shortly and Charlotte will be in the game fairly soon.  She is one of those special dogs that just "gets it."  She listens when I speak to her and maintains eye contact like she really knows the point I'm trying to make.)  After church I headed to Hugo with the girls to meet a friend who's moving waaaay out in the country to a family cabin.  It's under renovation and let me tell you, it is the definition of a get away place where you can just exhale.  Beautiful hardwood flooring throughout, pristine paneling, antiques, and an old chunky dark wood table that I would LOVE to have in my dining room.  I gave my friend several Pottery Barn catalogues (my personal favorite place to shop for home decor) and gave the best advice I could on color, details and furniture placement.  I spent way too long there and probably made her head spin as I excitedly looked around and blathered on & on about interior design.  I am certainly no pro but interior design is a passion.  I have the pleasure of knowing a pro designer who actually came to my house a year or so ago and gave me advice.  She's a super-talented lady and I soaked up every bit of advice she gave me.  I was able to pass on some of what I learned from my interior designer friend (giving her full credit, of course) and some of what I've learned from design magazines, shows and books.  I hope I helped her and told her to make sure she kept my up to date on her design progress!  The one point I tried to drive home was the best piece of advice I got..."it's YOUR house and decorate it how YOU like."  I told my friend that when people enter her old cabin it will undoubtedly be a place where they can decompress and feel at home.

  Well, in the middle of all those happenings, I've been packing to go on the road, steam cleaning carpets, and doing all usual tasks of being mom, auntie Nat, sister and dog caretaker.  And I have to say, busy = good!

Chandlerisms - The Second Installment



When I first started my blog I mentioned to my family and some friends that I would include some of my dad's sayings, movie lines and words-to-live-by at the end of some of my entries.  Some of his Chandlerisms weren't original, some were.   In any case, if you knew him or spent any time around him, surely you had a good laugh with him and heard a "Chanderlism"or two...or ten.



 



Allen Bros. 1995
Photo by Bill Prickett



                              Miscellaneous



"It's like hanging, you get used to it."

"Back up till you hear glass and smell blood."
"If we acted like that, they'd drop the net on us."
"Apus crappus"
"Smile and show your tooth.  The good one, the one you smile at people with."
"Smile and show your teeth.  No, no, don't take 'em out."
"Eat every bean and pea on your plate."
"Salt up your end..........of the table?"
"Tie 'em up and turn 'em loose."
"Fire and fall back."
"If you can find a better deal somewhere else...." (referring to a pet that runs away.)
"Hard as a carp." (describing over-cooked/hard food)
"Weaker than pond water."
"Like a fart in a hail storm." (someone that doesn't sit still)
"I've never seen dead people sitting up." (larry audience)
"David Coppernothing" (Copperfield)
"After that five minutes was up what'd you do?" (what he'd say to anyone that claimed they'd spent all day on task)
"Who has the death grip on the salt?"
"Feels like a meat locker in here." (when a room's too cold)
"Who swung with the...?" (any missing object)
"I have to give of myself twice daily." (joking about announcing two shows a day)
"Go do what I do best...nothing." (when he was about to take a nap)
"Get in drag." (get in wardrobe for the show)
"He laughed once in 1942."
"Where's my Jerry Springer?" (microphone)
"Herendo Revolver" (Geraldo Rivera)
"Are you going to sing a medley of your hit?"
"Ruby the cremator at the console grill." (referring to the cook at a local diner who often burned his breakfast)
"My sausage patty looked like a Hasboro checker." (Ruby the cremator's handy work at the console grill)
"Have a conference with Mr. Dewars." (have a drink)
                          
                                  Movie Lines
"Hit it Merle!  Make it loud and make it brassy."
"It was very good, with mustard..." (W.C. Fields)
"Many lives were lost." (W.C. Fields)
"Time to pay the taxes to the treasurer." (Sunshine Boys)
"He's not my agent, he's my nephew." (Sunshine Boys)
"You wouldn't be hot if this room were on fire." (Sunshine Boys)


You can read about my dad's time on Hoxie Bros. Circus in the book Mud Show.  He tells some good stories and you'll find a few pictures of him including the famous shot in the lawn chair.