I’ve loved the circus since I was a kid. Not surprising, to folks of my generation and older. The last one I saw was a poor excuse to sell programs and overpriced concession items, but I’m from far enough back that a circus could be anything from a spangled, big-top blowout down to a family in a couple of vans. Either way, if you could avoid the clowns, it was great stuff.

I loved the music, costumes, acts. My favorite television show was Circus Boy, starring Mickey Dolenz (future Monkee, appropriately enough) as Corky, the circus boy of the title. My first imaginary boyfriend was Noah Beery, Jr. (future father of Jim Rockford on The Rockford Files) as Uncle Joey the clown. YES, THE CLOWN — SHUT UP.

Now, which came first: my love affair with circuses or my circus cake, which Mom and my grandmother made me for (I think) my second birthday? I know the cake enchanted me utterly.

MY FABULOUS CIRCUS CAKE

Who wouldn’t go nuts over a cake like that? I mean, did you ever? Not even!

Seriously, I couldn’t believe it when Mom unearthed this photo, because I remembered that cake exactly like this, and there it is, just as gorgeous as I remembered!

Isn’t it great, when your memories are validated as being as great as you thought?

That’s why I never go to the circus anymore. ~sigh~

A WRITING PROMPT FOR YOU: What’s the best birthday you remember?

MA