“Agonies are one of my changes of garments. I do not ask the wounded person how he feels. I myself become the wounded person.” –Whitman

I am happy to announce some good news. After a very difficult Spring concerning my book and my publisher (I will talk about this at a later date) I was informed today that Ancestry.com would like me to be an affiliate.

This is such a good thing considering Ancestry.com has such a good reputation right now and endeavors to help families find their ancestors. I did all of my research to find my dad via the telephone information operators and post office employees. There was no Internet. I wrote away to cemetaries to find information back then.

About ten years ago I found my line of Texas cousins through my great grandmother, who are very much alive.

I am proud to be affiliated with Ancestry.com It is a win win situation for us both.

My dad was in Ripley’s Believe It Or Not in the 1930′s for training his little Chihuahua to stand on one leg, other two legs thrust in the air on my dad’s thumb.

Monday morning I was interviewed by Tim O’Brian on Ripley’s Radio. Not sure when it will air but will keep you posted.

Tomorrow, July 10 at 7:30 EST I will be interviewed by Cyrus Webb on Blog Talk Radio.
Please join us. www.blogtalkradio.com/conversationslive

I am beginning to record my book, Bobo’s Daughter, on CD.  Should take a few months to have it completed but for those of you who like to “read” a good book while driving, this is for you.

Bobo’s Daughter Moving story of a woman’s quest to learn her history
By Christina Lockstein “Christy’s Book Blog” (Oconto Falls, WI USA) – See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER) This review is from: Bobo’s Daughter: One Woman’s Journey to Find Hope, Healing, and the Father behind the Face Paint (Hardcover)
Bobo’s Daughter by Bonnie Barnett is the poignant story of one woman’s quest to find her father, and therefore herself. Bonnie was four years old the first time she met her father, Chester “Bobo” Barnett, one of the most popular clowns in the United States. Her mother dressed her in her best yellow dress and brought her to the circus where she was introduced to a man in a ragged costume and white face. She was immediately both enthralled and frightened by this strange figure, but when he disappeared from her life for another seven years, it was much harder for her to accept him, creating a pattern of random appearances and Bonnie’s love/hate relationship with the man who was far more comfortable in front of a crowd than with his child. Initially the book hops around in time while giving few details as to why Bonnie is reacting the way she is, leaving the impression that she is a bit overemotional, but as she fills in the blanks and settles down to a more chronological telling, the reader comes to empathize with her struggle for self. Bonnie’s mother was too caught up in her relationships with men to be a good mother, and often expected the girl to care for herself alone for hours a day alone. Bonnie’s few interactions with her father leave her frustrated and hurt, until as an adult she finally determines to solve the mystery of who she is by finding out where she came from. This is when the story really takes off, especially with her stories about her dogs: Spot and Sugar. While Bonnie does finally get some answers from Bobo, it’s her faith that she learns she can truly rely on. She keeps her writing about her faith to a minimum, but it is evident that it carries her throughout the book.

Had a great time yesterday in Fayetteville, NC at Books A Million.  This is a city where courage can be felt within the people I met.  I am impressed  how friendly people are in Fayetteville.  Because this is a military town there are folks from all across our country.  Adjustment.  Courage.  Acceptance.  Good qualities, good people.

Books A Million has grown since the last time I was here.  Jessica, the manager, was very busy working to serve and still helped me at the book signing.  I didn’t sell too many books but many people were interested and promised to come back when they had more cash to spend.  Times are tight.  The recession is felt in all areas, including the publishing world.  I will write more about that next time.  However, we still need to enjoy a good book.

When we were leaving Fayetteville after dinner we decided to go to a drive through Starbucks in order to stay awake on the two hour drive home.  The girls working behind the microphone ordering system were a little bored (not too many customers at 8 PM and had probably sipped a little too much coffee.)  As we were deciding on what to order, they started singing over the ordering microphone, then giggling.  I made a joke about “today Starbucks, tomorrow American Idol.”  This only spurred them on and they started singing, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”  Guess what we did?  Christiana and I joined in and sang the whole song with them.  Their comment?  “You sounded great!”  We wanted to sing more, but the truck behind me was becoming impatient. 

It was a sweet ending to a great day.

Philip McDowell

Just finished reading “Friend” Bonnie Barnett’s book Bobo’s Daughter.  I’ll have to re-read the last couple of paragraphs later with dry eyes. Loved it, Love you Bonnie. Thanks for sharing your story. Hugs Phil

We took the train.  On purpose.  But that week every other traveler in the Southeast was scrambling to get any kind of transportation because the flights were cancelled from the Blizzard of the Year.  We were hesitant to embark on this journey, but two hours before the train pulled out we packed up the dogs for the kennel and headed to the train station.

Loved the train ride.  Comfortable seats, no TSA workers fondling me, picnic lunch was delicious.  I slept, read and enjoyed the entire trip with a vision of snow from my window.  Of course the ten hour trip turned into thirteen hours, but we were comfortable.

This was to be a mini vacation.  I planned no book signings or therapeutic workshops.  However, we still did a little business in terms of planning for the Spring.  First thing next morning we were heading for Radio City Music Hall to see the Rockettes.  My mom had seen them in the 1940′s and talked about them every year at Thanksgiving, demonstrating in our small kitchen how high she could kick, just like them.  She was a very talented tap dancer before she ever was a clown or my mother. 

 The Rockette extravaganza was just that.  It was a very long show with many talented people coupled with incredible special effects that delighted the audience.  Quite frankly, I was more impressed with the theater itself.  An icon, for sure.  We missed our friend Cheryl Cutlip who has danced with the Rockettes for many years.  She is not dancing this year.

And then  . . . we went to Macy’s.  Yes, I can now say that I have gone to the Macy’s fter Christmas sales in New York.  It is the largest store I’ve been in.  My knees were certainly complaining but we all found some treasures, mostly clothing, that we have been saving for.  I think we were in the store for nine hours.  Dinner at the French restaurant in our hotel soothed our tired bodies.  The dinner was excellent.

And then . . . AND THEN . . . out the door early to go see Barry Lubin, aka Grandma and the Big Apple Circus.  It was our first time. 

We met Barry out in front and he gave us the royal tour through pathways of snow behind the trailers where the entertainers live.  Watched him put on makeup and it was a sweet nostalgic experience because the last person I saw put on clown makeup was my mom.  Of course this is in between laughing.  Barry is very funny, with or without makeup.  His girlfriend Ann is a special spirit.  So lovely.  A shining light.

Off we went to our box seats and all I can say is the Big Apple Circus is nothing less than delightful.  To see the performers so close, to feel the enormous strength it takes to do some feats, well, I wasn’t bored for even a minute.  Rob Torres is a wonderful clown and of course Barry is amazing.  When he takes the little girl in his arms and flies with her I had tears in my eyes.  So tender matched with laughter. 

Mark Gindick is not a clown on this particular show but was an energy while dancing and leading us from one event to another.  Keven Venardos, all 6’4″ of him is an incredible Ring Master and singer.  Handsome and charming, and sincere.  I’ll post this again later but he is having a one man show in NY on Jan. 28th.  Worth your while, I am sure.

After the show we hung out in the cook house with coffee and just talked for a couple of hours about life, circus, changes, risks.  I walked away very happy to have had that time with Barry and the Big Apple. 

When we came home we watched the Kennedy Honors.  People are honored from all sorts of entertainment fields and we enjoyed seeing Oprah, Merle Haggard, Paul McCartney, Jerry Herman and  Bill T. Jones, the modern dancer/choreographer honored for their contribution to our lives.  It made me aware that there has never been a circus performer honored for their work.

The circus is the foundation for all entertainment is this country.  When you look at what they do, see the strength they have, the laughs they provide, the dangers they take, just to delight us, I think it is time we start to honor the greats.  I’m not sure if the Kennedy honors will be the place, but I want to see a program dealing with circus professionals given their due.

After purchasing a new pair of boots (from Canada) I was able to maneuver around New York but I think my knee will love me if I visit my new true love doctor, Scott, at the Duke Sports Medicine for a cortisone shot.  Didn’t matter.  I wouldn’t have missed any of it, even if I had to crawl.