Clowning Around ...

Looking back I can remember many happy visits to the circus. There were many varied acts for all to enjoy the trapeze .. high wire .. jugglers .. elephants .. horses. In these modern times the circus acts may have changed, but one act that has always been there for everyone's enjoyment is The Clown!

I can remember laughing so much at their antics, they had the audience roaring with laughter and at times holding our sides ... they were aching too much from all the fun! Our grandchildren have visited The Circus too, and they now know the magic that is the Big Top.

I didn't know until I read this aticle below that the first week in August is International Clown Week ... yes, it's true a whole week for clowns. You may have already read this article which gives fifteen fascinating facts about clowns.

"Every day is something day, but forget clown day, because clowns have an entire week, from Aug 1 - 7 every year. It was even written into American law by President Nixon. To celebrate, here are 15 facts about funny men!

1 - The word clown is believed to come from the Icelandic word klunni, meaning a clumsy person.

2 - The earliest record of the word clown dates from around 1560.

3 - Clowns are nicknamed Joeys after the early 19th century pantomime star Joseph Grimaldi.

4 - Grimaldi was the first panto clown to wear white face make-up instead of a mask.

5 - The full name of Krusty the Clown in The Simpsons is Herschel Shmoikel Pinchas Yercham Krustosky. He's voiced by Dan Castellaneta.

6 - The declaration of International Clown Week was passed into US law by President Richard Nixon on August 2, 1971.

7 - Traditional clowning centres on the relationship between the 'whiteface' (the straight man) and the 'auguste' (foolish or mischievous clown).

8 - All straight man/funny man comedy double acts, such as Laurel and Hardy, are derived from circus clowning.

9 - The first circus clown was called Mr Merryman.

10 - Coulrophobia describes the fear of clowns.

11 - The world's oldest clown society, Clowns International, was founded in 1947.

12 - The first killer clown in fiction appeared in the 1892 Italian opera Pagliacci.

13 - Johnny Burnette had a hit with Clown Shoes, written by PJ Proby.

14 - Ronald McDonald was first played by Williard Scott in a 1963 TV commercial.

15 - Serial killer John Wayne Gacy was a clown known as Pogo."

Photo and article / post originally appeared on the author's, D McPherson's, blog Circus Mania.

Talking of clowning around why not make some happy and healthy funny faces to eat, the grandchildren love doing this. This one below is a good one ... but just cut up pieces of finger type foods like red peppers, carrots, cucumbers, nectarines, blueberries and let their imaginations run wild ... it's so much fun!

Happy Monkey Face Salad

Ingredients:

Base of face: Spinach or romaine lettuce

Ears: mushrooms

Eyes: orange slices, cut round

Eyeballs: beans or olives.

Mouth: Half-cut apple slice, onion for smile.

Scarf: Red bell pepper slice.

Fur texture: Shredded cabbage, parsley and arugula.

Nose: Onion cube.

Cheeks: Apple triangles.

Salad idea taken from here

I always think it's great to introduce foods in a fun way and if certain foods are rejected don't worry, because next time they may give them a try. Eating can be healthy and so much fun, and it is the school holidays so this could be a great way to spend time with your children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren. Of course who says you have to be young to do this 'young at heart' is good too!

Have fun clowning around ...

All the best Jan