I went with my parents and nephews to the Shrine Circus tonight at Calsonic Arena.

We get two circuses here in Shelbyville: the Shrine Circus, just about every year, and the single-ring “hometown edition” of the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus every two or three years. Each has its strong points. If you like animals, the Shrine Circus is obviously the winner, and the Shrine Circus is more packed with acts. But the Ringling Bros. circus has more of a presentation, more of a show.

I have to say, since I’ve been taking my Africa trips, I don’t enjoy the elephants as much as I used to. I’ve seen elephants in their natural habitat at Masai Mara and Tsavo West.

Even so, I think we had a fine time tonight. I sat next to my youngest nephew, and he was thrilled.