New Book

Well gang I want to mention a new book I got from a good freind of mine Lisa in New Jersey (girl you know I love you). I have almost finished reading it and so I wanted to take the time to put in my critique.....

The book is "Young Judy" by David Dahl and Barry Kehoe printed in 1975 by Mason and Charter. This book unlike others focuses only on the early Judy/Frances with some interjections of her later life but not many and while the later life is mentioned it is to focus on the problems that were created early in Judy's life.

This book unlike others does not blame Judy's mother for Judy's problems like so many other books out on the market. This one for the most part lays the majority of Judy's problems on Judy's father Frank. Judy her entire life had NOTHING negative to say about her father and this book makes up for it big time.

The mojority of Judy's problems according to this book were because of the fact that Frank was GAY or at the very least BISEXUAL and everyone around Judy lied about the fact. While many of the other books mention Frank being gay this book is a hard sell because they feel that everything wrong was Frank's fault because of his sexuality and his not standing up to his wife Ethel. With a huge part of Judy's fan base being gay this book was hard to swallow and the book even goes on to saying she hung with the gay crowd to extremes in the end of her life. Oh well, guess this is their opinion and it is a shame.

Ethel is partially to be blamed as well in the book but not made into the monster so many other books state she is based on Judy's statements about her mother later in life.

There are some great photographs in this book many of whichI have never seen before. I would (believe it it or not) Recommend this book for your collection if you can get it for a buy, maybe Amazon.com other than that for some this book may not be the best but for me it certainly wasn't the worst I have read on Judy.

Oz tins and other stuff

Well its bright and early and I thought I would get in my blogging before the day completely runs away. We are off to Cadiz, Ohio today for the Clark Gable Home Museum is having their yearly Festival and I think this years theme is "Gone With the Wind With the Munchkins".. Maragaret Pellgrinin, Jerry Maren and Karl Slover are all to be there as well as the little girl who was "Little Bonnie Blue Butler" now 70 years ago. Besides I need an Oz Festival fix .


It will be so nice seing the part of the munchkins again and to be honest they are part of the only things left from the original movie and with them in their 80's to 90's they are jsut cherished and loved treasures and I would love to spend as much time as I can afford with them as possible. Like all of us their time is limited before they too go over the rainbow.

Cadiz is only an hour away and not to terribly far from teh Ohio River, so it should be a fun day and hopefully some rather nice Oz finds will be there. Some of the members from the Yahoo Group "Everything Oz" will be there and it will be so nice seeing them again--since the last time was Chesterton and they are just the best people on the planet but I am biased as I am one of them .

Things have been rather busy the last few days, which I am not complaining about but I do realize I need to get more organized to try to get more accomplished within the day. Mainly in regards to my artwork and writing that I have been trying to do. I also would like to try to get back to making my one of a kind dolls i was doing there for a while and this time around I am only doing Oz dolls that are not related to the doll work I do for customers with the shop.

This is one of the conclusions I have come to about what am I going to do with 20 more years and this my friends is part of the answer. Oz dolls and art work, continue my collecting which I JUST ADORE and one other thing I would rather not mention just yet as it is still just a "very crazy idea "but one I hope can and will happen.

The Oz tins pictured here we found at the Holmes County Flea Market and are some of the newest things in my EVER growing collection of Oz and Judy Garland Memorabilia. I know it seems like to some that is all I talk about, think about, eat about and well poop about and it is more than likely the case but it just can not be helped the more I find my self doing with it the more I want to do. It stays so fresh and new and wonderful and I think part of the thrill is the hunt and what will be added next and over the next few days I think what I have gotten is some very neat things.

So stayed tuned and until then.........

I Believe everyone deserves a chance to Fly

Well as many of you know that read this blog yesterday was my Cleveland Clinic appointment and even though he was 40 minutes late--which I hate--the appointment could not have gone any better.

Of course all of the typical first visit questions but some things I have neverever been asked about and frankly I thought no one cared what I thought. "What or how do you preceive having AIDS"? "What do you believe AIDS is doing to you"? "How do you feel when you have to take your pills"? "How do you feel having survived this long"? I was just besides myself, and he came across as he was lingering on my every word and was actually very interested in what I said and how it was said.

There was a misprint in his notes saying i had this only 16 years and not the 18 I will have on July 16 but what blew me aware and how the title of this post came to be is what he said next.

If your familiar with "Wicked" you will know there is a song that the Wizard sings called "Sentimental Man" with the line "I believe everyone deserves a chance to fly"..... well my you can fly moment came when this Doctor said my goal today after meeting you, talking with you and reading your file is I am going to give you another 20 years. With the right combination of drugs and if you take care of yourself it is VERY do-able and we will do it.

I was speechless, I felt like I had been handed the ruby slippers lock, stock and barrel and I was standing in them--that their magic was giving me that 20 years. NO one has ever said anything like that to me before, and no ONE has ever given me that kind of sheer HOPE before.

I go in 4 weeks to go over my blood tests he had done and I am sure what program or drugs are we adding, but for the first time I feel well-----ALIVE!

Well unto Judy--over the next few days I am going to be posting my newest additions in my collection. It seems like I hit a big finding streak and this wonderful friend (Lisa in NJ) sent me a whole slew of stuff.

The two I want to talk about today is sheet music, for me its like having the orchestrations Judy sang in my home and it is one of those collectible items that in all reality are very inexpensive. Normally bewteen $2 and 10 for Judy non-Oz stuff. SO the first one is the original sheet music--released around the time of the movie is called "Wait and See" and is from Judy's film "The Harvery Girls" where Judy plays one of the Harvery Restraunt Girls out West. This was part of the stuff I got from my friend in New Jersey--BIG THANKS LISA.

The second piece is from the movie "For Me and My Gal" which I have the DVD and the sheet music is of course the main song from the movie. This particular photogrpah for some reason is one of my favorites of Judy and I found this in an Antique Market while my brother was out last week, which there are things he bought I have to share as well. As always I ask that you keep me in your thoughts as I go back to the Cleveland Clinic to get my results but for the time being.....

Two new books

Well the last few days here have been absolutely some of the best we have had in a very long time--in the 80's to mid 80's for days and I for one have been outside as much as possible. My brother has been here since Friday so posts have sort of come to a stand still.

Between the yard work, the bar-b-queing and some doll work we have been very busy. Then you through in the shopping and well a guy has to sleep some time .

There have been new Oz items added in the last few days courtesy of my little brother which I have to photograph but today I want to cover two new books I just finished reading last night.

Comic book style would better describe what they are and I got at my local comic book.nostalgic toy shop here in town. He has been rather good to me watching for Oz stuff.

The first is "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" written by L. Frank Baum but adapted by David Chavel and Enrique Fernandez. Of course many of you know the original story was written in April 1900 this version is basically the book version Baum wrote way before the MGM 1939 Classic so many of us love. This one has a publish date of 2006 and is fully illustrated and in full color and is 103 pages in length broken down into three chapters. This one I think would be a delightful gift for a child of say 9-10 to read on their own or even younger read as bed time stories. What a great introduction to the book.

The second one is also Comic book in style by the ever creative and incredibly talented Eric Shanower by DarkHouse Comics. The title is "The Blue Witch of Oz" and was published in 1992. Eric wrote and fully illustrated this gorgeous book in the style that John R. Neill used in most of Baum's books. This story is basically the Story of the Good Witch of the East, and no I don't want to give away more than that .

I ask that you keep me in your thoughts and prayers on Tuesday as that is the day I go into Cleveland Clinic for my one time second opinion Dr. Gopal (My HIV Specialist) wants me to have I am a little nervous about it but hopefully things will be a little more clear after that visit.

230 posts as of today

It is so hard to believe that on April 16th this blog celebrated its second year running and that this is the two hundred-thirtieth post with 2,820 hits more or less. Its been an amazing journey and one I hope will continue for a very long time more like 5,000 posts and 150,000 hits . guess I have to bump up my game on what the heck I talk about.

You know every know and then someone comes along and makes you feel absolutely wonderful and I have so many great friends that do just that--those that read this blog, those that post here, those on Facebook with me which I am, those who e-mail me, call me and send cards. It has been great knowing how much I am cared for, it makes the rough times easier if you will, knowing I am not alone in all of this ca-ca.

A great friend tat I have known for about 8 years now in Chicago was so sweet and sent me one of my newest pieces I want to talk about to day.

The above photograph is the front of this WONDERFUL program and i will show pictures of the inside not sure if you will be able to read it all but it is a Radio City Music Hall Program handed out the week beginning Thursday January 6, 1949 for the showing of "Words and Music" starring Judy Garland, June Allyson, Perry Como, Lena Horne, Gene Kelly, Mickey Rooney Ann Sothern and MANY more.

What makes this piece even nicer in my opinion is that it also lists all of the vaudeville acts before the movie--gosh I wish they still did that and popcorn too and all for under $2.00, those were the days I guess.

Many of you know I collect Oz but it is also Judy Garland as well, and in my frank opinion the greatest talent that has ever lived! It in many ways has become an all consuming obsession, it has and does take over a lot of my life and will more than likely till the day I die.

This movie I have not seen yet it is on my list of must see which I swear grows longer each day . One of these days it just going to be nothing but movies all day. I'll let you all know when I do that. :)

Not sure if I mentioned I go this coming Tuesday to see Dr. Taege at Cleveland Clinic for my one time Second opinion my HIV Doctor wants me to get, I ask that you pray as I have to be there at 9 a.m. and will be in the height of rush hour traffic. Hopefully he will be able to figure something out.

Until then I guess I just carry on--bad days or bad nights and all. No use boo-hooing about it, it gets old and nobody likes a "Down Dorothy". Well until tomorrow gang and will post the other wonderful trinket this friend sent me.... and of course a Youtube post

Something a little Wicked

You know it has been hard the last few days getting over this cold, thankfully the laryngitis is gone and so is the nose blowing. But OY VEY this rash is just the limit let me tell you kids. According to my doctor its viral and will more than likely be 6 to 12 weeks before its gone, lucking flipping me huh! Oh well when your given lemons make lemon martini's , skip the lemonade and go for the hard stuff I always say.

I am on two new medications for it and my spirits well that a whole other story that we are just going to let lie like they say. Positive thinking and a perky attitude wins the battle right?

Speaking of positive and perky my sweetheart of a brother bought me last weekend and I just finished reading " A Little Bit Wicked" by Kristin Chenoweth---which of course was the first Briadway Galinda/Glinda in "Wicked". What a hoot, funny, sassy and like sitting with an old girlfriends and catching up on all the dirt, gossip and what is happening. My favorite stry involves this gentleman she calls "Der Upderkeister" and that is all I am going to say about that make you buy or borrow the book.

I also wanted to thank everybody for their prayers, notes of concern and love, and your "get well" tokens that were sent my way. It meant so much knowing how much I am loved.

Difficult News

Well I am not sure if I mentioned earlier this week about my doctor's appointment that I had with my HIV Specialist on Wednesday. As many of you know I drive into Cleveland to see my Doctor which I do not mind and many of you know how ill I have been again here lately. It seems at this time that it has gone from bad to worse.

When I saw my Doctor and got tests results 3 months ago my .....

T-cell count was 157 and my viral load was 1,200 which wasn't great but it wasn't terrible either

Yesterday my T-cell count was 86 (which is almost half of what it was) and my Viral Load is now 450,000. (Triple of what it was).

Keep in mind that Viral load should be as close to zero as possible as that is the amount of active virus in my body--almost if you will as 450,000 soldiers waging war against me. While my T-cells should be high (normal is 8,000) which means I have fighting for me 86 men.

My doctor wants me to see another HIV/AIDS Specialist for a one time second opinion visit at the Cleveland Clinic because according to the blood tests I should be responding to medication I am already on.

This isViral Loas wise the very worst I have EVER been. My T-cells have been lower but right now according to my doctor it is VERY bad and any little anything could be very serious indeed even life threatening. Pneumonia at this point could and more than likely literally kill me.

I was not expecting quiet this news, I knew I felt bad I knew how tired I was all the time and quiet honestly I thought it was because of the fibromyalgia and nothing more. Boy was I wrong! Needless to say I am scared right out of my mind right now and not sure were all this is going to lead but I need to do something and very quick.

As always I ask you keep me in your thoughts.

Wishing a very Happy Holy Season

Even though I have this g-d awful cold I wanted to take the time and wish all of my readers a very Happy Holy Season. Passover begins tonight at duck and Easter is Sunday. So with that said maybe somebody somewhere could makea Passover Musical for the pictures until then let's enjoy some Judy!

The Last of the Manga Series

I did a post a few months back about the Antarctic Press and the "Land Of Oz Manga: Return to the Emerald City" well I wanted to show the last three comic books in the series--or what I tend to believe is the last in the series.

The story line of course follows the Oz book and the adventures a boy named Tip has who in reality ends up being Ozma under a witches spell. The books are by David Hutchison. Edited by Doug Dlin and Rod Espinosa. I lucked out getting these as our in town comic book/vintage toy store carries them. Dan and the staff have been really good to me holding each issue till I can get down and buy them.

What I really love is the beautiful covers and the black and white drawings in each issue. It wasn't until I went down to see if they had the new Eric Shanower Oz Comic books that I discovered these. What works even better is the way they are written and what a wonderful way introducing a child to the joys and fun of Oz.You won't have a problem holding their attention with this set of comic books.

The Jack the Pumpkin head cover is number 2 in the series and was released December 2008.

The Jinjur cover is number 3 in the series and was issued January 2009.

While the last one with Tip and the Giffin on the cover is number 4 and presumably the last and was issued February 2009.

If you would like to get these for yourself contact

The Toys Time Forgot
137 East Cherry Street
Canal Fulton, Ohio 44614
(330) 854-1700

and ask for Dan Hare--tell them Charlie Dale referred you

The babysitting I have been doing is going rather well, although I think I may have caught one of the boys cold as I have a slight cough and my voice has dropped considerably today. I sound like some John Wayne Cowboy movie reject and kids that isn't fun. Oh well at least for the time being I have a "butch" voice.

Anyway hope you all enjoy my return to blogging and everything Oz, I decided to really try to give it my all and focus in on some of the collectibles I get and have. There is as far as I know only one other blog doing just that http://theozenthusiast.blogspot.com/ and another that covers new items coming out http://curiozitycorner.blogspot.com/

Something a little "Wicked"

You know every now and then something happens that just makes you fee loved beyond words. Gestures sometimes speaks volumes more than anything else.

Yesterday was one of those days. In an attempt at getting better at running this blog, I want to try to share at least some thoughts on a daily basis. I have to commit myself to doing it.

Anyway as many of you know I have some really good days and some really bad ones and well the last few days have been the really bad days. I shared in my "Everything Oz" Yahoo group that I call it the "Fibro Crude days" This feeling like the Wicked Witch of the West set you on fire, took you on her broom a mile into the air then shoved you off. After which the Winkie guards of the witch did a Mexican hat dance on your remains before a house fell on you!

I thought it summed how I feel on my bad days. But what I wanted to talk about was unfettered kindness. the kind that comes from no where and makes you speechless. Our Everything Oz group has this Secret Pal program you can sign up for and you get a name to buy or make Ozzy tings for all year long or you can buy and make both.

Anyway a few days ago I was just stunned when I got a package in my mailbox marked from E-bay. I knew I hadn't bought anything the money hasn't been there. It was a 5 x & color photograph of Kristin Chenowith dressed as Glinda from "Wicked" and signed! As you can tell the photo is just gorgeous. It was also my first real "Wicked" collectible other than some of the merchandise Barnes and Noble had last year.

In the meantime another friend of mine who knows who my Secret Pal is was asking me all sorts of questions about what I likes Oz wise, what I had and just a ton of questions so she could feed the info to my Secret Pal of course. Well I mentioned loving the Kristin piece so much that now I had to try to find an Idina Menzel piece to go with it .

Well yesterday which was a g-d awful day fibro wise that I was really depressed. I walked to the mailbox and Bingo another E-bay envelope. This time a 5 X 7 of Idina and Kristin together as Elphaba and Glinda and get this signed by BOTH of them!!

Well I had to sit down I was struck speechless and just cried and cried and cried I was so moved. Words do not begin to even describe how I felt. But I wanted to talk about it here because that simple act of kindness and friendship meant so very much.

It has been on rare occasions that someone does something like that and for me the last 2 months it has happened a few times--- So for this person Thank you for doing it so sweetly!

should have seen it coming

I was doing some research a few days ago on Fibromyalgia and found some tings rather interesting at the very least--warning signs if you will for the disease that I missed for years....

1). Most people who suffer from Fibromyalgia also have Restless Syndrome, Chronic Pain and or Nueropathy.

2). Most people suffering from Fibromyalgia also have an auto-immune disorder of some sorts.

3). Most people who suffer with Fibromyalgia also have been diagnosed with Depression.

4). Some but not all people suffering with Fibromyalgis also tend to have discomfort with bright lights, loud noises and some touching.

5). Most people with Fibromyalgia also suffer from lack of "revitalizing sleep". Sleep that leaves you feeling fresh and rested is what I mean here.

6. Most people go undiagnosed with Fibromyalgia for a period of time, before they end up being diagnosed with it.

I wanted to post this so others would no what some of the signs are and what to watch for. If I had only known sooner. Some days are much better than others but most days are very difficult on many different levels. I think so far it has been worse than trying to live with AIDS because those "fibro" feelings and symptoms for the most part are constant.

Spring Yard Work

Well this afternoon after church and lunch Jim and I decided to do some Spring yard work. Rake leaves and debris, clean the flower beds and what not, we may not have a lot of property but it seems like so much yard work. The weather was perfect for it 55 degrees and a nice slow breeze it all seemed to be perfect for what we were doing.

The neighbors across the street are redoing part of their yard with treated railroad ties and discarding their old bricks, which they GAVE use no strings attached. So all the flower beds will now have bricks lining them to help keep the grass and weeds out and easier to try to keep up with. So far today I bet I have moved close to 60 bricks.

The flower bed by the garage got them first to finish off what my brother and I did last year. The the small strawberry patch we have got some and I am adding this year a separated Herb Garden. I am thinking Chives, Cilantro, Lavender, Lemon Grass, Parsley, Oregano and anything else I can get my hands on.

So the small garden is being extended into the one that borders the side of our property as well and I am hoping we have enough bricks to do that one as well. I still have last years Tiki Torches which I would love to get more this year and I need to get the fuel for them but other than that we have talked a small vegetable garden as well. Tomatoes , peppers, cucumbers mainly.

My hands yearned to feel life itself today

The ground holds so many silent sacred secrets

Millions of years,

Endless lives have walked upon it

The journey they lead,

The stories the earth could yield.

I could hear those voices today

As my hands entered the sacred dirt,

Their voices being freed

The silence broken

All I had to do was listen

To the earth in my hands.

Voices of anger and rage

Voices of sadness and grief

Voices of hope and peace

The cold damp earth slid through my fingers

Became one with my skin

My soul united with them.

Thank you Mother Earth for thy gift to me.

When it rains it pours

Just a short note to ask the readers of this blog to keep me in their prayers. I was rushed this afternoon to the hospital by ambulance and it turend out I have another kidney stone. The 20th stone in 18 years actually. Medication related but according to the doctor it is very small and very passable. I am on 5 new medications for it and I just ask that you all pray I pass it easily and soon.

I wanted to share a purchase I made some time agon on E-bay of an original Lobby Card for "A Child Is Waiting". This card however is Mexican and I thought it was so neat that I had to have it. What was nice was the price which was very affordable as most of the original lobby cards are way out of my price range.

I am going to try to get back posting about my ever growing collection. Right now it isn't growing as much with Jim on sick leave and my not seeling anything at the moment on E-bay. But there is other stuff I can show and talk about.

I have decided for the time being to keep the sight up because it is unique and I hope their is interest.

A Day for the Irish

Some days your reminded of wonderful

memories of the past

that linger like a good friend

on a long welcomed visit.

Today, I woke remembering

my Paternal Grandmother singing

"Danny Boy" to me before

I feel asleep for naps

in her rosewater scented bed.

Grandma its been 21 years since you left us

Many more years before that

that you stopped singing to me

but that spcae and time is

just as real as if it where yesterday.

thinking of calling it quits

I have been rather bad about posting here lately and part of it is due to that I have not taken photographs of my newest Oz things. Part of it is I wonder do people even care if that read about that kind of thing. Part of it is feeling so bad with the fibromyalgia and I don't want to use this space to complain in. Part of it is I wonder are people even reading.

I wonder if I should change focus again and the blog name to something more meaningful and worthwhile that or just dlete it and forget it. I will still run the blog Fairie Dust Studios for my art work. Any thoughts?

More thoughts on Clarence Swenson

This wonderful poem I found online in Clarence Swenson's Online Guestbook provided by the Funeral Home http://www.legacy.com/Statesman/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=124663747 and I thought it was so wonderfully written and really summed up Clarence's life with us his fans and especially his wife that he adored. Clarence, I hope you are one of the very first people I see after crossing the gates of heaven.

To my dearest family, some things

I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know,

that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven.

Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness;

here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just

because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you

every morning, noon and night.

That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were

missed while you were gone.

As for your dearest family,

they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.

God gave me a list of things,

that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list,

was to watch and care for you.

And when you lie in bed at night,

the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.


But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)

Sad Day in Oz

It's a very sad day in Oz today. Our dear loving (August)Clarence Swenson died last night around 7;00 p.m. I am told by the "Everything Oz" Yahoo Group and to make matters worse it was also his wife's birthday the same day.

Clarence was the very last of the Munchkin soldiers from the 1939 MGM production of "The Wizard Of Oz" starring Judy Garland among others.

Born August 29, 1917 in Austin, Texas he was the smallest of five brothers and one sister. Four-feet-six inch Clarence nicknamed "Shorty" began his career in show business when he appeared at the Dallas Texas Centennial of 1936.

In 1937 he supposed to be in Stanley R. Graham's All Midget Circus in San Antonio working with the elephants, as well as playing the saxophone and drums with the band. After nearly eight weeks of rehearsals they opened for a day and a half before they were shut done because of the monsoon rains.

Not long after that, he hopped a train to Hollywood to appear in "Terror of Tiny Town"; and a few months later landed the role of a Munchkin Soldier in the Wizard of Oz. Directly following that he worked in an ape costume in "Tarzan Finds a Son". During this time Clarence was around four feet tall.

When World War 2 broke out he went to Kelly Field Air Force Base in San Antonio where he worked for four years as a radio technician. Clarence married his sweetheart, Myrna Myrle Clifton in 1945. Myrna is most unusual as she is the offspring of midget parents. The two do have children, grand children and great-grandchildren.

It was not until 1989 that Clarence made the step to reunite with fellow munchkin cast members at Oz festivals. Many people have such fond and warm loving memories of the man who was the last of the Munchkin soldiers.

Sadly by the time I learned of these events Clarence was way to ill to travel but I am sure he along with all the other munchkins who have passed away. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and may we all strive to leave a legacy as LARGE as Clarence did.

My apologies

My apologies to those that follow and read this blog but this Fibromyalgia thing has really gotten the better of me and so much of my time is just feeling tired to do anything except sleep. I plan on getting back to blogging more as what little Oz things i do keep me going and let me have something to look forward to. I aks that as always you keep me in your prayers.

The Gluten free diet is going better than I thought it would but with no medication available for me to take it makes things at times very rough. Personally in a way I am grateful there is no new medication to take as there are so many I am on now.

Been some time

I know it has been quiet a while since I posted here but things have been utterly chaotic. First of course is my constant battle with this god damn fibromyalgia. Sorry but that is how I feel about it right now, it just takes every last ounce of everything out of me and LEAVES nothing else. Then last week Jim had his large calcium deposit that was in his bladder blasted and what was supposed to be " a nothing procedure" turned into this week long nightmare--including a hospital stay, 2 trips to the emergency room and just sheer agony for Jim.

Of course the hospital thing is never easy and after 2 --13 hours days there in a row and 2 5 hour stays in the emergency room I am really doing good to know my own name. The doctor that did this procedure is in my opinion one of the very worst there is and his bed side manner/how he has treated Jim has just been simply awful. Jim would have gotten better care from a vet in all honesty.

There are new Oz and Judy items to post and many of them I have to take pictures of to be able to post here. it has been the only thing in all honesty that has kept me going. E-bay this last go around has been a royal pain in my ass. With stupid questions, bitchy customers and not nearly what the items are worth. At this point I am not sure if I am going to continue doing E-bay or not.

The other big news in my life is 3 days ago now we have gone Gluten Free in an attempt to get me feeling better. So far so good. I do apologize for not being better about the posting but I ma hoping that changes and soon and will be sharing some of my new Oz and Judy stuff again.

Meeting a LEGEND!

Well gang if you were not in the Canton area this weekend you missed out on of the best things to hit this area in a long time. Legendary Icon and Female Illusionist extraordinaire Jim Bailey.

Jim not only visually impersonates Judy but he VOCALLY impersonates Judy whit a live orchestra

Jim Bailey was here for a one night only concert at the Historic Canton Palace Theatre for a night of Judy Garland wonderment. Proceeds were to benefit the Tri-County AIDS Taskforce.


There was an add a few months back in the Cleveland Gay People's Chronicle confirming Jim's coming to do the concert which believe it or not I knew as I HAD my tickets in hand already. But what made the add and this whole experience even more wonderful was it had listed the event organizer's name and phone number in the add.


So I called wanting the possibility to meet Jim Bailey first hand prior to the concert. We talked briefly, telling him who I was and that I was looking for a chance to meet Jim Bailey. Well the organizer, Bill Weaver--this wonderful business and gay man invited myself and Jim to his home for the pre-concert gala the the night before which would have been Friday of this last week.


Well we arrived at what turn out to be this incredible Victorian Home fully and accurately restored with about 150 people there. I can not begin to describe how wonderful the home was which also is a bed and breakfast.


Anyhow, when we walked up and were introduced to Jim Bailey, he was the sweetest, kindest, funniest men I have met in a while and so charming and down to earth. Mingling with the guests and Jim's manager Bill Campbell off and on all night--- left my head spinning. As we were getting ready to leave Bill Weaver said we will see you tomorrow night and let me know where your seats are. And said nothing else.


Well the night of the concert we were a little early and mingling with the crowd and Bill Weaver's staff and what not they open the door to the theatre--Bill turns to me and says "Let's see those tickets of yours". He takes one look at them ---because we bought them direct from the box office-- and said "Oh these will never do" took my tickets and left. We sat for a while he came back handed me tickets and said this are much better I hope you enjoy them, there right next to me.


Well the usher lead us down the aisle--closer and closer and closer and I almost fainted as we were standing at the FIRST ROW she said your seat 7 and 8 which is DEAD CENTER STAGE! I couldn't believe it! Well THREE hours of concert had come to a close and they had this raffle thing they did as well that night and I won one of Jim Bailey's CD's.


Bill Weaver was seen talking with "Judy" on stage off mike and he comes back to his seat as Judy sang four more songs. Bill turned to me at the end and said Jim has agreed to sign your CD if you wait for him to take off his makeup. I couldn't believe it, again crying my eyes out.

So Pam Pack-Pappas (from the Everything Oz Group" I belong to was there night night as well and I had my Jim run and get her to take her with us to meet Jim Bailey--her first time my second!! Sit in their in a bathrobe, and turban he was so sweet and kind and signed autographs and hugged us all . We--being Pam and I left crying even more and I left more in Love with Judy Garland than ever before and now a devoted and LOVING fan of Jim Bailey's as well.

Mr. Bailey--You Made me Love you!