Josh Middleman was the 4th of 7 children. His harried parents had few moments for him. From his 1st day at school, he felt invisible.
No one stopped him from joining in schoolyard games, although he was never a winner even when he won. When he graduated, they were one gown down & one cap short. Josh had to wear his suit. No one noticed. Although he graduated in the top 10 of his class, serious career positions eluded him. His life was a wreck.
One day he came upon a Clown College. Frustrated & bitter, he shuffled through the doors with an upside down smile on his face, and a tear in his eye.
“You’re in” shouted the Clown College recruiter, as he handed an enrolment form to Josh.
With a painted smile and a hidden heart, he graduated with honours.
As a clown, Josh made many laugh and feel happy. Others were crazy clown scared. Whatever, he was not invisible anymore. Josh Middleman was a “must have clown” for all children’s parties, parades and local promotions.
Eventually, he married and earned enough money to buy a home at Queen’s end. Here, Josh would don his ginormous clown’s shoes and think with glee, “In your face, unhappiness!”
Photos © Resa McConaghy – 2012, 2017, 2019
Winnipeg & Toronto
Short Story © Resa McConaghy – 2015
I’m Jeepo, and I approve this Redux
Brilliant Resa! A wonderful story – full of pathos, ups and downs, and redemption.
Aww, thank you, Rebecca! It’s time to make dinner, and I will come visit you after!
I’m so happy you like it!!!
Wonderful story. At least Josh is a happy clown. Great mural finds to go with the story; or should I say great story to go with the murals? The CP 24 Live Eye suburban crashing through the wall is crazy. Was Jeepo wrestling that teddy bear and pinned it?
Jeepo is mothering the bear. She’s cuddling it, and cleaning it. Sigh!
So, the CP 24 Live Eye has been hanging there for at least 10 years. I finally took a pic of it last week. It’s A neo-icon in Toronto.
Yes, it is a story to go with the murals.
I have a lot of pics, and at least 300 pieces of valid neo-urban street art not posted….. yet.
You have a lot of stories ahead of you. We have stuffed sheep that come with “cat magnet” blankets. Some of the cats kill the stuffed sheep and carry them around by the throat all proud, other kitties do four pawed “puh duhs” (kneading bread) on them, some of the kitties cuddle with them.
Gotta love the cats! What wonderful little creatures!
Glad, very happy that you liked the story. Josh is a happy person inside the clown.
Pingback: Clown College – Queen’s end Redux 1+ — Graffiti Lux Art & More RESA from Toronto comes through again with street art. Thank you Resa. – My Life near to the Chicago # 36 Bus
This is so amazing, I really love it. All the things Rebecca said…ditto. Great wall art too, love the car! Go Birdo.
xo
The car is very cool. It’s been rusting away up there for at least 10 years. I finally took a pic.
Love the wall art!
You know, the heat is ridiculous. I can’t stay awake at night. I think I overheat in the day.
Anyway the heat wave is coming to an end. It will be a comfy mid 80’s today.
Oh oh, looks like another heat wave is on the way. 🥵x
The car is so cool! The heats been insufferable but a storm is coming up the coast and I can hear the thunder already. Bring on the rain! xo
Really fabulous! Love the artwork, it’s just great, especially the car and I’m so happy to see that Jeep liked it too. Excellent post.
Thank you, Gi, and thank goodness Jeepo likes it! She’s in charge over here. 😀 😀
This is awesome!
Thank you so much! I’ve made my blog more than just street art now, although there will still be plenty of street art!
I really like what you’re doing!
Thank you so much!! 😀
Your amazing finding all of this artwork!
It’s easy in Toronto. The folks here are street art crazy. I’ve been drawing more, myself. I’m finding it’s a good thing for me to do! I’ve been posting some of it. Don’t know where it will go, but it is satisfying. xo
I will come look been out of it since 4/2 when I said goodbye ❤
Makes me teary. What an awesome person and talent. Thank you for sharing Resa.
Aw, Cindy, thank you! Many middle children have felt invisible. This was for them. xx
LOL!!! Nice! Really Like!!!
Thank you, Nawfal! 😀
LOL about the Photos, that is, so funny to see the imagination of the creators, and humorously fun to see.
TY!! 😀
We have clowns in the UK too, but here most of them end up in the government!
HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA!!!!!
Interesting how some people find clowns as happy, but are creepy to others. Well done, Resa … Is Jeepo yours?
Jeepo is my special girl! I found her in the alley 13 years ago. She was so thin, a friend of mine thought she was a rare breed of Egyptian cat… only a few in Canada.
The vet insisted Jeepo was a regular SHD, and pregnant.
We still have 1 of her kittens… Johnny Depp. (Bit of a story there) 😀
Cheers to her for what she’s brought to you. 🙂
Yeah, I really love her!
Love the story Resa, and the truck coming out of the wall. WOW. Jeepo is very cool. 🙂
Jeepo is the boss of me. 😀
Now that I have said that, (she’s sleeping nearby and can hear every word I type)
Yes, The truck coming out of the wall IS very neat. It’s been rusting away up there for at least 10 years. I finally took a pic of it.
What a beautiful story!!!!! Eventhough I’m one of those people who don’t enjoy clowns[!]…
Amazing murals, Resa!!!!
and o-oh…. Jeepo is seriously stealing the glory! 😉
Big kiss and hug to you both [from Hera too!] xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
LOL!!! ❦x❦o❦x❦o❦x❦o❦x❦o❦x❦o❦x❦o❦x❦o
The other reply is for another of your comments. OOPS! LOL!
Anyway, no harm in sending extra love. ❤
I know … Jeepo is stealing the posts. However, I said she could be in charge of moving my Queen's end posts to GLAM.
Jeepo says she and Hera would be great snuggle buddies.
❦x❦o❦x❦o❦x❦o❦x❦o❦x❦o❦x❦o❦x❦o❦x❦o❦x❦o❦x❦o❦x❦o❦x❦o❦x❦o❦x❦o❦x❦o❦x❦o
Oh, they would too!!!!!!! 🙂 …and would make a couple of silly crazy proud moms watching them, wouldn’t we?!!!!! 😉 xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxo
Yes we would!!!
xoxoxoxooooxooxoooooxooooxo
The ups and downs in this story finds a redemption and a happy ending.
Love the photos as well. And Jeepo is cute. 🙂
Charlie, yes! It is a happy ending, after all the ups and downs. I hope anyone… someone was encouraged by it.
Jeepo is the most beautiful cat on earth. 😀 x
Very encouraging. Beautifully well expressed.
Jeepo rocks. You have the most beautiful cat. 🙂
I have always adored your blog, I think you know this. But you have this blog evolving. And it is beautiful. This post was a definite Bravo. And I am not talking about the images you shared. I am talking about your words.
I’m afraid of my words, sometimes. So, I hid them in a place hard to find.
My book, Queen’s end, is more lusty than I want to admit. I hide it, but it’s a true revelation. It’s a cherry stem in a knot.
Anyway … working my way to freedom.
I have never seen a problem with your words. Let loose and inspire us,.
Okay…
These are so cool!!
Thank you, Watt!
Most welcome. 😁😁
Great story 😉 Clowns don’t scare me but they do for a lot of people aiiii!
It’s true, but they make me laugh! ❤
What a wonderful and empathic story. It show one can reach the goal. Why you all thinking clowns can make fear? 😉 You have seen too much horror movies. Lol Best wishes, Michael
Thank you, Michael. Have a fab weekend!
Sorry “grammar alert”: “It shows”. ;-(
No problem!! 😀
😀 Thank you Resa! Very kind! Michael
I love clowns… ❤
Me too! ❤
Note to self – don’t show Wayne 😉
HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! XOXO