Another Loss Of Friends

Anyone who has been reading my blog for any length of time knows that I have jones for the auction and all things auctionee, so to speak.

It's not the stuff that I find at these gatherings, nor the thrill of a winning bid, or even the fun of the Ringman, which I do on a regular basis.

No... it's the people I meet there, time and time again.

They bring a unique perspective and a passion that shows up in the oddest ways and is eerily similar to the passion that Oz imbues in folk.

In 4 days, I have lost two dear friends from the auction and it saddens me greatly.

John was one whom I knew from Prairie Creek Auctions in Vigo county, Indiana. He was in his mid-50's, suffered from Diabetes and had one leg. I loved him dearly and we had a running gag about him leaving his leg at home. His wife, who worked at KFC, would sometimes bring me a small container of mashed potatoes and gravy.

Hmmm.. Them's good mashed potatoes and gravy!!!

Betty was a kindly little old lady in her early 90's who attended Shadow Auction Barn here in town. She would come in a wheelchair and had a little slot in the seating across from the snack bar where she sat and bid on anything with roses on it... and fake plants.

That woman loved fake plants. Her front porch was a jungle of plastic leaves, flowers and branches.

If you've read my second book, Shadow Demon of Oz, you'll recognize her as one of the characters at the Umbra Auction Barn.

Both will be missed greatly by family, friends (myself included), and anyone who ever came across their paths.

The Shifting Sands welcome another pair of souls into Oz...

James C. Wallace II

Once More, The Wizard of Oz Shows Up At The Auction!

The other day, I found another Wizard of Oz book from the mid-50's that included this wonderful illustration.

The other nice thing about this particular edition of the Wizard of Oz was that it was an unabridged edition, meaning that the Queen of the Field Mice, the Kalidahs, China Country and all the other unique aspects of Oz were not cut out for the sake of brevity and cost-cutting.

Revision: Serendipity intervened today and directed me towards Bill Campbell's The Oz Enthusiast blog site where he gave some great information about this particular volume.

Her Majesty, Princess Ozma is very pleased indeed!!!

James C. Wallace II
Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma

The Madness Of Nanwrimo Begins Anew!!!

Once more, I have begun the daunting task of participating in Nanowrimo;

a month-long marathon writing session designed to expel the demons of our minds onto reams of paper, although in today's culture, that would be virtual paper.

Nonetheless, I take up once more the challenge and take the virtual pen to virtual paper in an attempt to make my dream realities for all to see...

and hopefully enjoy!

Already, the monsters of my brain reach out to speak to me and task me with making them show themselves!!!!

Another Munchkin crosses the Shifting Sands!

The Lullaby League of Oz lost one of its own last month (Sept. 24) with the passing of Olga C. Nardone, the smallest member of the three girls who danced for Dorothy in welcoming her to Munchkin City.

From the files of Wikipedia, we find the following information:

Olga C. Nardone (1919-2010) was an actress and one of the last surviving Munchkins from the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. She was known as "Little Olga" and "Princess Olga" and was one of the smallest of the Wizard of Oz Munchkins, standing at just 3 foot 4 inches tall. The fact that she had done ballet solos in vaudeville helped get her the part.

I had always thought of her as one of the young children who were brought in to supplement the cast and do the very delicate job of dancing her ballet routine to welcome Dorothy. I didn't realize that she was, in fact, one of the 124 adult pituitary midgets which were hired as Munchkins.

It turns out that, like a few of the Munchkins, she chose a very private life and never embraced the life of Oz here in the Great Outside.

It's a shame but we respect her choice and wish her well on her journey across the Shifting Sands to Oz... and to reunite with the Royal Historian.


James C. Wallace II
Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma

It's been a week since the Chesterton Wizard of Oz Festival and this has been the first opportunity I've had to post a blog entry about the outstanding time I had in the Land of Oz.

As many of you will no doubt notice, 'ol James cut his hair. Given that it's been nearly a hundred degrees every day all summer here in the Land of the Hoosiers, I reached a point where I couldn't take it anymore.

How you ladies deal with long hair in oppressive heat is beyond me.

Anyway, back to Oz.

The weekend of September 17-19 was highlighted on my calander for months as I was really looking forward to this fine festival which is only a few hours from my home.

Last year was the first year I had attended this festival and was, in fact, the very first Oz festival I had ever attended.

As you can tell, day one was highlighted by rain for about half the day. A bit of a bummer but I met many people that day who were very supportive of my writing and book sales of Shadow Demon of Oz went very well.

Here is one of the most unique and imaginative costumes I have ever seen at an Oz festival.

It's the Bucket of Water that Dorothy used to destroy the Wicked Witch of the West.

She called it the 'Weapon of Witch Destruction' and she seemed to be the only one who wasn't annoyed by the rain.

On Sunday, things were looking much better. The characters here were about to go on a tour of the grounds when the Wicked Witch of the West, who had been motionless for several minutes while children cautiously approached her, let out a cackle like none I have ever heard before. It scared everyone in earshot and the kids were especially frightened by her laugh.

As you can see, all of Oz was having a wonderful time.

Here, we see that the Tin man has grown a bit and found a nice place for a special beverage. I hope he doesn't engage in drinking and chopping.

The winner of the Hat Contest makes an appearance at my stall to show off a wonderful Professor Marvel Wagon Hat. Very inventive and unique.

... and of course, there were aspiring Munchkins around every corner. It's amazing how much Oz makes people so happy.


Scraps, the Patchwork Girl decided to make an appearance this year and spent her time with Dennis Anfuso in his stall, which happened to be right next to mine. And if that isn't enough Oz for you, Jack Pumpkinhead and the Sawhorse showed up as well.

Who knew Jack could drive a Hoveround, although technically, it doesn't hover!

I also had the great pleasure of meeting Rick Ewigleben and Todd Bates just a few stalls down from me. They are wonderful people who made me feel very welcome. I look forward to seeing them at every opportunity in the Land of Oz.


It's amazing how a little nice weather really brings out the crowds. There were loads of people everywhere and many unique visions of Oz to be seen.

Such is the devotion to Oz that many people had tattoos of Oz. Some were very small and hardly visible... and then some were like this one. Now, I'm not a tattoo kinda guy, so don't expect me to get one, but boy, when some people get one, they don't go half-hearted at it, do they???

Of course, there were the wonderful ambassadors of Oz, who we know as the Munchkins of Oz.

Jerry Marin, the Lollipop Guild Munchkin was in wonderful spirits today and had a smile that could not be wiped off if you had used a steel-wool pad.

Karl Slover, the First Trumpeter was also present and happy as always.

... and of course, there was Margarette Pellegrini, the Flower-Pot Munchkin.

Just as in Chittenango, these fine and wonderful representatives from the Land of Oz made the festival more special than normal. Their spirit, enthusiasm and love of Oz made everyone in the room fall in love with them, without even trying.

Princess Ozma has often said that no finer ambassadors could have been chosen for the task of representing Her Majesty and the World of Oz.

It seems Dorothy has grown up a bit. But wait, what's that she's carrying? Why, it's a Longaberger Basket. Apparently, Dorothy has gotten more expensive tastes in baskets.

As the day wound down, we see Glinda the Good Witch and Ruler of the South; Quadling Country paying a visit to fellow author, Julienne La Fleur and checking out her book.

The crowds were fantastic and it was a joy to see Oz is still loved by so many people, young and old alike.

As we bid farewell to another year of Oz in Chesterton, I look forward to next year, when the Royal Magician of Oz Trilogy will be complete with the publication of Family of Oz.

It has been a long two years since Her Majesty commanded me to tell of Her new Royal Magician and his adventures in Oz. Since that day, I have met the most wonderful people and had the best time anyone could possibly have.

Finally, I make my way down the road of yellow brick and back home to the Land of the Hoosiers, where my wonderful wife awaits me with a steaming bowl of Potato Soup and all the love and support any man could ask for.

My report to Her Majesty, Princes Ozma; Royal Sovereign and Ruler of Oz will be very appreciative of all the folks in Chesterton, with a special thank-you to Machelle Blount, Celeste Hertz and every yellow-shirted volunteer that helped make our time in Oz well worth the trip.

Par Ardua Ad Alta!!!

James C. Wallace II
Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma