Make believe and little girls

When I was a little girl, I had fizzy affection for all things "mini"--Hershey's chocolate bars and stuffed animals and oddly enough, office supplies.  I'm convinced whoever invented Polly Pockets and Littlest Pet Shop toys was Just.Like.Me., and had I been a teaspoon brighter and a dash more risky--and you know, thought of it first!--I'd be rolling in the green, compliments of Mattel or Hasbro.

One of the reasons for my little love affinity was the size of my black patent leather pocketbook; shoulder-strapped with an envelope enclosure, it was the perfect size for my age five frame.  For anything to fit inside, however, it had to be small.  It was a dress purse reserved for special occasions, and I suppose my first plane ride was its most significant.

This was back in the day when people dressed for travel; my sister and I were no different.  Black and white houndstooth suits, belted in red patent leather, we were twins born 16 months apart.  As the younger sister, I adored the arrangement; my big sister probably resisted it. I'm not completely sure, but I'd wager we wore black and white saddle shoes, iced with white lacy socks. 

Rising above the clouds, I was fascinated.  I hadn't realized their enormity from the ground, and now tickling their faces I was spellbound by their effortless magic!  I imagined what it would be like to run through them or jump from perch to perch, and I was certain their taste was of spun sugar.  Mostly, I longed to reach out and scoop up two handfuls, to keep safely in my patent leather pocketbook until I had the notion to bring them out again to play with or show my friends.

It was disillusioning when I learned they were just vapor.

Recently, I looked through five years of digital images; I had never before noticed how often I photograph these magical, ethereal shape shifters.  Clearly my childhood fascination remains intact, vapor or no stinkin' vapor. 

Then, again, they are where rainbows are born...:)

{Mouse over pictures for more information.}

Initially, this was an entry for Carmi's Thematic Photographic at Written, Inc., but since he's changed themes (from Clouds to Aviation), and I jumped down a long bunny trail, I guess it's just a plain ol' post :).