Clowns About Town

Dress: Zulily
Shoes: Mix No. 6, DSW
Balloon bag: Sleepyville Critters, Zulily
Heart bag: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's
Belt: Belt is Cool, Amazon
Sunglasses: Wild Fable, Target
Pink and orange bangles: Mixit, JCPenney
Blue bangle: Kohl's
Red bangle: B Fabulous

Blue and Pink Rodeo Clown Barrette Brooches

When the clowns pulled into town that day, Guthrie and Elmer didn't know what to do.  Guthrie suggested hiding cacti in their bunks, but Elmer said that that would only amuse them and make them stay longer.  The clowns were contrary like that, digging their heels in and putting down roots when others would have fled for less tempestuous waters.  Or any waters.  The desert town of Twin Terrors was as dry as the steer head skull that scowled at the foot of its crude welcome sign; indeed, the nearest drop of water would be from the clowns' own trick flower pins.  Guthrie scratched his head and mumbled his assent; Elmer was seldom wrong, much as Guthrie hated to admit it.  It was never easy to get rid of the clowns.  The last time they came, they stayed all summer, commandeering the Sidewinder Saloon to perform their godawful nightly act.  Still, Guthrie and Elmer showed up at least half the time.  Despite their disgust for the clowns, they felt sorry for them.  Eking out a few chuckles was the least they could do.  After all, it hadn't been so long ago that Guthrie and Elmer had themselves been on the standup circuit.  They spun stories at bars, nightclubs, and even state fairs, their raggedy harlequin costumes sometimes garnering sympathy, sometimes derision.  The worst was when they'd been pummeled by tomatoes that time in Nebraska.  The stains had been damn near impossible to get out of the yellow and green polyester.  Still, the remnants they'd scooped up from the dusty stage floor made for half decent spaghetti at dinner.  As they ate, Elmer had joked that their meal brought new meaning to the term "spaghetti western."  In response, Guthrie spat a mouthful of spaghetti at Elmer.  It was cruel, but sometimes Elmer needed to be taught a lesson.  Now Guthrie shook his head, as if to erase the memory.  It had already been a grueling day and dealing with the clowns wasn't the way he wanted to end it.  But as he looked into the mirror over the bar, he accepted his destiny.  The rainbow wig that stared back at him matched the one that stared back at Elmer.  "Ready?" he said, turning to his friend.  "As a tumbleweed on a gust of wind," answered Elmer, downing the rest of his Molson.  He slid off his bar stool and Guthrie followed, their giant shoes squeaking against the floor as they edged into the enveloping night.

And . . . scene.  Here I am wearing one of my new rodeo clown barrette brooches.  If it looks familiar, then that's because this isn't my first circus-slash-rodeo.  Maybe the face on this new one belongs to Guthrie, maybe Elmer.  

Only the barkeep at the Sidewinder Saloon knows for sure, and after last call he's not telling.