Last week I realized my readers know practically nothing about the Trickharts themselves. I have decided to take this opportunity to share the first of many entries about the history of the Trickhart family.
When Nobert initially told me the following story I was skeptical, but he assured me it is all true. He even provided the above photographs as proof.
Farrah’s parents, Knat Lockstrüm and Yuli Bbjornstrømlandenhagen, met while attending the Ludvika Minicirkus School, the most prestigious circus school in Sweden. Upon graduation they traveled from venue to venue performing an ill-conceived act as a death defying motorcycle daredevil duo - without a motorcycle and sharing a helmet they leapt around the big top in tight fitting clothes making “grrrrrr” sounds.
Note: Years later, Yuli would show great talent as a costume designer with an amazing ability to create illusions. With flashy fabric and a simple “whip stitch” she would make Knat appear strong, Farrah tall, and Nobert intelligent.
Knat’s sister, Sherry Breath, joined Knat and Yuli on the European circus circuit as the glamorous “Queen of the Swedish Gypsies”. She was purported to have a remarkable skill as a fortune teller - except that she used a wine glass as a crystal ball and couldn’t see beyond two bottles of Cabernet, after which even her ability to see the past began to get a little fuzzy.
The trio eventually found themselves working for the Jaegermeister Circus. Sherry Breath showed an immediate romantic interest in the owner, Strongman Greg Jaegermeister, and he showed an immediate interest in red wine. So they married.
The Lockstrüm-Jaegermeister Family Circus was formed. It was the last of the great Scandinavian circuses - though even the greatest Scandinavian circuses really weren’t very good.
But there was trouble brewing under the big top.
Knat and Yuli’s invisible motorcycle routine was the only profitable act the circus had. But the Lockstrüms wanted children. The circus barely managed to stay in business when Yuli left the ring to bear her first child, Jehn, and she had only left the ring for about thirty minutes. When Yuli left a second and third time to have her two other children, Farrah and Cryan, the circus was unable to recover financially and down came the big top for good.
So the Lockstrüms and the Jaegermeisters did what any other bankrupt European family would do in those circumstances - they emigrated to the United States and left their children behind.
When Nobert initially told me the following story I was skeptical, but he assured me it is all true. He even provided the above photographs as proof.
Farrah’s parents, Knat Lockstrüm and Yuli Bbjornstrømlandenhagen, met while attending the Ludvika Minicirkus School, the most prestigious circus school in Sweden. Upon graduation they traveled from venue to venue performing an ill-conceived act as a death defying motorcycle daredevil duo - without a motorcycle and sharing a helmet they leapt around the big top in tight fitting clothes making “grrrrrr” sounds.
Note: Years later, Yuli would show great talent as a costume designer with an amazing ability to create illusions. With flashy fabric and a simple “whip stitch” she would make Knat appear strong, Farrah tall, and Nobert intelligent.
Knat’s sister, Sherry Breath, joined Knat and Yuli on the European circus circuit as the glamorous “Queen of the Swedish Gypsies”. She was purported to have a remarkable skill as a fortune teller - except that she used a wine glass as a crystal ball and couldn’t see beyond two bottles of Cabernet, after which even her ability to see the past began to get a little fuzzy.
The trio eventually found themselves working for the Jaegermeister Circus. Sherry Breath showed an immediate romantic interest in the owner, Strongman Greg Jaegermeister, and he showed an immediate interest in red wine. So they married.
The Lockstrüm-Jaegermeister Family Circus was formed. It was the last of the great Scandinavian circuses - though even the greatest Scandinavian circuses really weren’t very good.
But there was trouble brewing under the big top.
Knat and Yuli’s invisible motorcycle routine was the only profitable act the circus had. But the Lockstrüms wanted children. The circus barely managed to stay in business when Yuli left the ring to bear her first child, Jehn, and she had only left the ring for about thirty minutes. When Yuli left a second and third time to have her two other children, Farrah and Cryan, the circus was unable to recover financially and down came the big top for good.
So the Lockstrüms and the Jaegermeisters did what any other bankrupt European family would do in those circumstances - they emigrated to the United States and left their children behind.
* * *
Nobert’s relationship with Farrah Lockstrüm started years later when Farrah arrived in the United States as a Swedish mail order bride. Her delivery was not intended for him. She was mishandled by the Post Master General and delivered to Nobert in error. Nobert’s luck was Farrah’s misfortune - but the Swedish are nothing if not complacent.
Historical Note: Sweden was once the human trafficking capitol of the world. The country sold and shipped blonde women (Sweden’s most desirable resource) around the globe until the advent of hair bleach made the natural blonde obsolete. The demand for Swedish women plummeted as they came to be considered a luxury rather than a necessity - since they possessed no other skill that would allow them to compete on the open market. Sweden then began to use its established trade routes to scatter their nations unwanted household trash all over the planet. IKEA literally means, “shitty yard sale full of crap” in Swedish.
Eventually, through Facebook, Farrah and her family were reunited in the United States and Nobert convinced the Lockstrüms and the Jaegermeisters to make a circus comeback. He could have convinced them to do anything, it is unfortunate they chose this as their first endeavor.
On opening night Nobert took the center, and only, ring as the "Master of Ceremonies" - mostly because he had no other skill to offer.
Knat and Yuli were to reprise their invisible motorcycle routine. Sherry Breath and Greg were to do something with alcohol and barbells. But the centerpiece of the show was to be a new act – Fabulous Farrah, the beautiful and fearless lion tamer.
Tragically, the Lockstrüm-Jaegermeister Family Circus came to an abrupt end (like this story) on opening night when, before the show, Nobert inadvertently traquilized Farrah instead of the lions. The results were horrifying. Her legs were so misshapen and ghastly from the attack that even after several corrective surgical operations she ultimately decided to have them removed and replaced by wooden table legs. Her knees are slightly less knobby now than they were before the incident.
Nobert’s relationship with Farrah Lockstrüm started years later when Farrah arrived in the United States as a Swedish mail order bride. Her delivery was not intended for him. She was mishandled by the Post Master General and delivered to Nobert in error. Nobert’s luck was Farrah’s misfortune - but the Swedish are nothing if not complacent.
Historical Note: Sweden was once the human trafficking capitol of the world. The country sold and shipped blonde women (Sweden’s most desirable resource) around the globe until the advent of hair bleach made the natural blonde obsolete. The demand for Swedish women plummeted as they came to be considered a luxury rather than a necessity - since they possessed no other skill that would allow them to compete on the open market. Sweden then began to use its established trade routes to scatter their nations unwanted household trash all over the planet. IKEA literally means, “shitty yard sale full of crap” in Swedish.
Eventually, through Facebook, Farrah and her family were reunited in the United States and Nobert convinced the Lockstrüms and the Jaegermeisters to make a circus comeback. He could have convinced them to do anything, it is unfortunate they chose this as their first endeavor.
On opening night Nobert took the center, and only, ring as the "Master of Ceremonies" - mostly because he had no other skill to offer.
Knat and Yuli were to reprise their invisible motorcycle routine. Sherry Breath and Greg were to do something with alcohol and barbells. But the centerpiece of the show was to be a new act – Fabulous Farrah, the beautiful and fearless lion tamer.
Tragically, the Lockstrüm-Jaegermeister Family Circus came to an abrupt end (like this story) on opening night when, before the show, Nobert inadvertently traquilized Farrah instead of the lions. The results were horrifying. Her legs were so misshapen and ghastly from the attack that even after several corrective surgical operations she ultimately decided to have them removed and replaced by wooden table legs. Her knees are slightly less knobby now than they were before the incident.
Sadly, Nobert was also in charge of ticket sales so the entire event went unnoticed by anyone outside the Lockstrüm-Jaegermeister family.
- C Smith
Such a tragic family story. It really resonates with what most of us have been through. Or not. Either way, you live next to carnies!
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