Magical Mystery Bus (A film by Asya Segalovich)

                        

Asya Segalovich

My dear friend Asya has many talents. One of those talents is filmography. She did a short film on the Patch Adams Clown tour this past November, 2015. The trips are always magical and mysterious, so the title is perfect. I always recommend going on one of the clown tours. Let me know if you are interested or contact Asya. So watch the 9 minute video below and be prepared to smile and cry!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHukAaFWscE&sns=em

Asya and her mom Maria

Now Go Out and Hug a Clown Today!!!

Coach Bob

Coach Bob

I only had the pleasure of meeting him a few times, but each time was full of laughter and stories. Bob loved to tell stories and he did it so well! Plus I know many untold stories thanks to my friend Danny Donuts. See, Bob was Danny's dad. He died on Feb. 2nd. The last words he said to me (over the  phone) were "Take a lap Chip".

Coach Bob was a PE teacher and coach. He coached wrestling and football, until Ottawa Illinois wanted to start a soccer program in the 80s. Coach Bob stepped in to do just that. His son Danny loved and played soccer, so I am sure he did it as much for his son as he did for his school. Dad's do that  you know.

I never was coached by Bob, but I imagine he was a hard nosed, fair coach who had his teams in great shape. Similar to my own soccer coach in the 80s.

He loved USA soccer. Danny and him spent one of his last days on earth cheering the Red White and Blue onto victory against Iceland. He was instrumental in helping Danny and I with both of our soccer books. We will never be able to thank him enough for his support!

At his funeral Danny did a list of 84 stories about his dad. I wish I could have been there to hear them. Although, I already know most of them. A couple of Danny's favorites are...

"Remember that time Bob had to use a flat blade hockey stick, because the curved blade wasn't invented yet"

"Remember that time Bob would fold his football helmet up and put it in his pocket"

Oh, such a different time when Bob grew up. But he kept up with the times and the youth and I am sure every one of his former players would sing his praises for knowing them for the young men they were. He was just that kind of Coach!

Rest in Peace Coach Bob. I will run my lap when I see you in Heaven!

Now Go Out and Hug a Coach or Teacher Today!!!

Izzy cat, Izzy cat, may you rest in peace

Sweet Izzy

Izzy cat, Izzy cat, we're going to miss you!
Izzy cat, Izzy cat, you were so sweet!

The sweetest cat I ever met.
You were truly a wonderful pet.
Now you sleep amongst the roses
And thanks to you because you chose us.

Izzy cat, Izzy cat, may you rest in peace!
Izzy cat, Izzy cat, you were so sweet!

           Sung to the tune of "Smelly Cat", for those of you who lived in the 90s, and know about Friends. Izzy was a great friend indeed and not smelly at all. And anyone who believes a cat can not  be a friend has never owned a cat and certainly has never met Izzy. Things we can learn from cats.

1. When you have a friend, curl up next to them and just be there for them.   Izzy was good at that.
2. Purr softly, only scratch if absolutely necessary.   Izzy never scratched actually.
3. There is always time for a cat nap.   Izzy always had time.
4. Rest and relaxation are keys to a happy life.   Izzy led a supremely happy life!
5. Find a warm place and enjoy the moment!   Izzy enjoyed every moment!

Cats are good about all of those things above. Izzy was great at them! We sure will miss her. She died peacefully on Jan. 18th with Connie and myself lying next to her, stroking her fur softly. I think she died a death of quiet, dignity and grace... and peaceful and comfortable and surrounded by love.

Izzy and her sister Rosie.

                        Now Go Out and Hug a Cat Today!!!
                                                 (but do it gently, some cats don't like that. Izzy did though)
 

HOPE-eeeeeeee!

My dear friend Hopey died in Oct. I just found out. He was old fashioned and didn't use email. Letters only please. We exchanged a few over the years since I met him. I met him in 2003 at Maria's Children's summer camp. At the time he was 81. Yes, he volunteered as a clown, traveled to Russia on his own to do this at the age of 81! He inspired/inspires me to no end!

If that isn't enough to inspire you. He volunteered at his local hospital as a clown AND as a reverend. Clown ministry! He did this til he could do it no more. I believe he was 90 when he finally had to give it up.

Below is his obit to give a little more info. I treasured his friendship as much as any other friend I have. I only wish I had more time on earth with him. He was part of my family on a boat trip in Russia and he made our family so much better!

His laughter, his humor, his kindness, his gentleness, his spirit and love for people was contagious! He will be missed so much by so many! Rest In Peace my dear friend! I will look forward to clowning with you again someday!

He gives us all HOPE! Thanks Hopey!

http://www.thepilot.com/obituaries/the-rev-edward-w-conklin/article_755f4db0-8b06-11e5-b873-33c5b12a8825.html

Now Go Out and Hug a Clown or a Reverend!!

Goodbye Ol Friend

Theo and his hands free phone, Ha Ha Ha. He is funny!!!



 

It is with great sadness I write this post. My dear friend Theo died on Dec. 18th. Not only was he a dear friend, but he was my absolute favorite clown in the world! And for those of you who know me, know that is saying something. I know quite a few clowns and a lot of wonderful clowns too! But Theo is my favorite because he covers all bases of a clown. His comedic timing is top notch. He can read any comic situation in a flash and feed off it. He always makes the other person with him look like the star! That is not easy, but he does it with everyone... seasoned clowns, newbies, kids and adults. On top of all that he always knows when to pull back the reigns and just BE. Give the person he is with some time, or some encouragement, or just BE there to love whoever is in his presence. That is one special talent let me tell you!

Theo and a friend at his local hospital.

I was fortunate enough to meet Theo in Russia in 2000. We instantly became freinds, as he does with many people I am sure. We have stayed in touch over the years via email and Christmas greetings. We periodically would meet up to see each other and clown together in Russia, usually at a summer camp. One summer we were the heads of the Elephant Family! Every other Family Group had a mama and papa and one English speaking Head and one Russian speaking Head. Not us! And we loved it! Neither of us spoke Russian. We took turns being the Mama, but the truth is he made a better Mama AND a better Papa! It was non stop laughter that summer for sure.

Theo and his adorable granddaughter! Man did she love him!!

I was also fortunate enough to meet up with Theo in his home town of Heerhugowaard, Holland! I went this past April... took me long enough! And just in time too. He was recovering from surgery for bladder cancer and doing well at the time. So well in fact that we actually got to clown in a hospital in Holland! What a real treat that was for me. To clown with Theo anywhere is a treat.. to clown with him in a hospital is a treat.... but to clown with him in a hospital in Holland where he was treated for cancer, was MAGICAL!!! There is no other word to explain it and I will treasure and hold onto that memory for a lifetime. It should get me throught the rough days ahead.

Theo and Friends gathering around the nurse's station where he was treated. That day he was the clown!

And no matter how rough it may be for me over the next weeks and months as I grieve and say goodbye to my freind... it will be even harder for his family. So keep them in your prayers please. I was also so happy I got to meet his entire family in Holland. I had met his daughter in Russia, but not his sons and wife. They are all such lovely people which did not surprise me in the least.

Theo being "rescued". Sadly, they could not rescue him from cancer!

Theo and his grandson. They sure did love to play together!!!



I want to leave you with a quote that was shared with me by a friend recently. Timing is everything eh?! This quote speaks volumes I feel and I imagine Theo would fit the bill nicely if he lived in the 17th centruy.

"The arrival of a good clown into a village does more for its health than 20 donkeys laden with drugs."      Thomas Sydenham, Seventeenth-century British physician.

Theo is 6th from the left. I am on the end to the left. We said goodbye to Lake Seliger that night. Tonight I say goodbye to my dear 'ol friend! May he find rest and PEACE!!!

         Now Go Out and Hug a Friend Today!!!
                            
 

Kids at a Crossroads

GeGe and "her" kids!!!

                                                                   

I have a friend who has an aunt who runs a non profit in Peru. It is called Kids at a Crossroads and I believe in their mission 100%. GeGe is doing everything she possibly can to help these children be educated and possibly get out of poverty. She works tirelessly year round to help these children!

Learning to Read and Write

                                                             

Now the holidays are upon us and she likes to give "her"  kids some Christmas cheer. Wont  you help? For just 5 dollars she can provide a toy, cup of hot chocolate, and a Christmas cake to these kids... not to mention all the SMILES!!!!

Look at that SMILE

                                                                                

   Now I know people who spend hundreds of dollars on their own kids and family. That is great. Holidays are for families! But I want to encourage each of you to take this time and think about what else is important to YOU and your family and kids. Take this time to educate your kids about other people/kids who are LESS FORTUNEate! Maybe spend just 5 dollars less on your own family and use it as a springboard for education of the world. I am just saying :0).

   If you can't donate or don't want to donate to something in another country, then do something on a local level! There are kids EVERYWHERE who need some kind of help, a boost of cheer, a hug or whatever!

 So please go to the link below and learn more and help if you can. Again, if you can't help I feel the very least you can do for these children is to share this link with your friends who might be able to help. I know you ALL have Facebook :0).

 

http://kids-at-the-crossroads.org/
 

http://kids-at-the-crossroads.org/christmas-cheer.html
 

http://files.ctctcdn.com/7e02f96f401/d09223e2-f317-4caf-9d09-674c90f440f8.pdf
 

           Now Go Out and Hug a Child Today!!!

You win some, You learn some

Pogo cellos. Mine looks a little bit different :0)

You win some, You learn some. My friend Danny Donuts said that to me this weekend as we made a few mistakes building my pogo cello. I had never heard that saying before. I am sure it has been used some, but I just had never heard it. And I must say... I like it!!

This is Danny risking "losing" by capturing a flag. He LEARNED it wasn't a flag, but a marker placed there on purpose. And he never fell in the lake, so all is well.

 

Personally I don't mind "losing" at something or even being told I lost or I am a loser at something. Losing is part of life and that is how we LEARN. However, by changing the wording around from You win some, You lose some... to You win some, You learn some implies you never really and truly lose. When you get something wrong or you "lose", then actually what you are doing is LEARNING! Interesting eh?

I like that wording a lot, especially with kids. Kids don't always understand the meanings of words like lose or loser and can mistake them for negativity. So by changing the wording to Learn some, it just might encourage more kids, and even some adults, to try a lot of different things without the fear of losing! It puts a positive spin on life. And you all know how I like to be positive! Whenever you play now, or try to make something, or just do a chore... then you can look at it as having 2 possible outcomes. Either you will win, which everyone likes to win! Or you can learn something. Again, everyone likes to learn, right?!

So, I am going to adapt that motto from now on so I am not afraid to do different things or try new stuff, etc. I will either win or I will learn, which really means no matter what I will WIN!


Now Go Out and Hug Someone Today!!!