Cirque du Prairie

Although recent days have been warm and sunny, the days are definitely getting shorter and nights are much cooler.  The ground has been covered with a light frost several mornings, but nothing serious enough to affect the garden yet.  But even though the plants that survived the summer's drought are still hanging on, one group of performers has already packed its bags and left for their winter home in Florida.  That's right--the circus has left town!

What, you didn't have a circus in your garden this summer?  If you missed it, let me share some of the most popular acts that appeared here this season:

There were balancing acts high above the floor of the Big Top.

Tightrope walkers . . .

 Acrobats . . .

. . . and Contortionists.

 There were so many daring feats they made me dizzy just watching.

This performer scaled a sheer vertical cliff effortlessly without any ropes.

There were numerous balancing acts that would make your head spin . . .

The lion tamers were equally brave, showing no fear of the mighty cats with their powerful jaws. 

There were jugglers as well who could catch a stick in mid-air.

And what would a circus be without the clowns?

  I think we might have had a flea circus visiting, too, but I repeatedly sent them packing!

(Please note: The juggler, clown, and "lion" have not vacated the premises

but will be overwintering here.)

And the most breath-taking of all--the trapeze artist, swinging from high above without a net. Gasp!



There were many times over the years, back when my four children were growing up and I was teaching full-time that I thought my life was a three-ring circus.  But life goes at a much slower pace now, and my juggling talent is seriously diminished.  Instead, I'm content to sit on the sidelines and cheer on my little circus performers.  I do hope they come back next summer for a return engagement.