“Fresh Space-Bender Tramp-Stamps For Sale Here Today!!!” — that’s what I told the sign-maker at Staples yesterday afternoon that I wanted for a sign over my street booth, because this will be my 36th year at both the Victorian Christmas in Nevada City, now also in its 36th year of Christmas Cheer & Tradition, featuring roasted chestnuts, gas lighting in a quaint 19th century atmospheric setting — the town is basically as it was 150 years ago.

I’ll also be, as usual, in my booth at the world-famous Cornish Christmas celebration in Grass Valley, which began in 1967 as a way to preserve Grass Valley’s Cornish traditions and history. Food & drink from Gold Rush Days are served, and strolling musicians, jugglers, fire-eaters and belly-dancers abound, as well as Cornish Choir and the Tommyknocker Cloggers, an amazing and popular act.

I’ll of course be doing my contact juggling, hoop work, stick twirling and the ever-popular 2,000 year old Miracle of the Chinese Linking Rings and my Atlantean Crystal Ball and Lemurian Floating Zombie Ball. I will also undoubtedly want to bring along a few Houdini Lights and a change-bag full of health-food candy.

“So, LeslieAnn,” she replied, “you want a sign that says ‘Fresh Space-Bender TempTats For Sale Here Today!!!’???” she smiled, obviously ready to make the sign the moment I nodded “yes”.

“Okay, that’ll be $80, is that ok? It’s $10 a word, and I can count Tramp-Stamps as one word, because it’s hyphenated.”

“Um, wait a minute,” I said. “Ten bucks a word?”

“Yep,” she nodded. Continue reading →