Carousels are practically an entertainment endangered species, but Jane’s Carousel, originally housed in an Ohio theme park, has a new lease on life thanks to Jane and David Walentas. This little marvel, built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Co. in 1922, with its 48 meticulously restored wooden horses, is now spinning proudly in Brooklyn Bridge Park on the banks of the East River–one of the “happiest little spots in New York City,” says one writer. Read more or see a slideshow…
In NYC for a few days of work and swung by Williams-Sonoma at Columbus Circle to pick up this little gem.
(Our friend Thom Driver did the gorgeous photo styling!)
The Fence Post, September 12, 2011
Rodeo as a spectator sport has been growing in attendance. Maybe it is because it is live-action, close to home, reasonably priced and rated PG. NASCAR has a similar appeal. As rodeo moves into the ranks of other professional sports, you notice a consistency in the show. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association runs a tight ship.
Most of the excitement comes when a tie down roper puts one down in 7.6 seconds. Or when a ranking saddle bronc rider makes a classic ride. Or a barrel racer wins by 1/100th of a second! In other words, when a champion shows you how it’s done.
But most often the most memorable event that fans remember is when Billy Joe hung up in his bull rope and became a propeller! Or Jamie was fired from his bareback horse and became a lawn dart! Or when Jose the heeler broke the barrier and roped the line judge!
However, most pro rodeos have reduced the “unknown factors.” It keeps the competition finely tuned. Then there is Cheyenne Frontier Days! They throw in several ringers; green cattle, a 30 foot barrier, and an arena as long as the White House lawn! These additions don’t affect the rough stock riders much, unless one of the bareback horses becomes Sea Biscuit! But … it turns the normally machine-like timed events into rough stock performances as wild and unpredictable as donkey basketball!
Imagine the tie-down roper tense in the box. He nods for his calf. The chute opens, the roper’s horse quivers, the rope is buzzing, everyone is holding their breath … and the calf strolls out, lazily. Meandering into the arena, looking at the crowd, imagining his mother is out there somewhere, seconds tick by … then he crosses the magic 30-foot barrier and the wheel comes off the wagon!
Their steer wrestling event is even more exciting. The dogger nods his head. He and the hazer, wound like springs, watch the big steer break out of the box like he’s got heel flies in his pants! They wait the interminable microseconds. By the time the steer hits the 30′ barrier he is going at the speed of beef! It takes our fearless cowboys another 20 or 30 yards to catch up. The questions arises, “What does it feel like to push your horse into a dead run, flat out, nostrils flaring, tail flying and jump off him into a four-legged horned calf-skin torpedo weighing 600 pounds?” Imagine standing on the hood of your car, getting your buddy to get it up to 35 mph, then reach out and grab a telephone pole!
Talk about exciting! It was like watching the Hulk tackle Shrek’s donkey!
Suffice it to say that each performance ended with the Wild Horse Race. What else did you expect? When you took one look at those characters entered up, they made the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive line look like fashion designers for Dancing with the Stars!
If you’ve heard the term “Cowboy Up!” Cheyenne Frontier Days is how you spell it!
Original, Handmade Block Prints
$17.00 – $32.50
Hand Forged Wine Cradle
$75.00
Farm Fresh Candle
$20.00
