Now and Way Back When

One time while attending a party 

I was totally fascinated by the outfit worn by a little neighbor girl. 

Her name was Zoe and that in itself allowed her some privileges. 

She had chosen a tiara to go with her leopard-print tights, 

her Disney princess dress and sparkly-red "Dorothy" shoes. 

It crossed my mind that my mother 

would have never let me go out in public with those choices.

I was so envious of her freedom and for her creativity.

I longed to be like her - way back when.  

Then I received this photo through e-mail from Ellis' brother.

Well, for one thing,

the sun was in our eyes.

Me and my cousin, Ellis.

I know that I was 5 years old soon to be 6 because the photo was taken September of 1957.

For me that was the year that all of the kids in town got to go to kindergarten. 

I would wait another year before the bus would stop at our house 

out on the farm and take me to First Grade.

What a treat for me to see this photo for the first time almost 60 years later.

It isn't my wispy curly hair or my chubby little hands that caught my attention  

But it is the little outfit that I chose to wear on this day. 

It made me smile and, suddenly, I knew that my mother 

had allowed me to skip and dance through childhood and 

choose my very own clothes to wear. 

It was so liberating!

My red Dale Evans vest had a matching cowboy hat. 

I must have loved that vest because I have proof of wearing it in other photos.

The sleeveless blouse with the collar was another shade of red. 

Because I seldom wore pants, 

the South-of-the-Border elastic-waist skirt 

was a quick and easy choice. 

Could it have been purple or green? 

I know it wasn't blue. 

Surly I didn't have three colors of red on? 

And what about those socks?

I just can't trust my memory.

But I can trust my heart

and it just feels all warm and fuzzy.

Being allowed to make your own choices is a freedom to cherish

Now and Way Back When.

Where Do Fairies Come From?

Happiness

Tinker Bell, 

The famous fairy, and perhaps, the first fairy ever

Could sprinkle pixie dust with her tiny wand and make everything 

Wonderful.

She taught each little fairy about the magic of happiness.

Whimsical and Enchanting 

Fairies can fly - and who hasn't ever dreamed of flying?

Fairies are elusive and shy

And hide in secret places - like inside flower pedals and under toad stools

Usually in the woods 

Where you can hear the trickling brook and the twittering of birds.

Pretending and Dreaming

There is something light and airy about a place where fairies live. 

It is far away from reality

A place where all is well and and no one is sad or hurt.

A fairy's world is colorful and full of flowers

All of the animals in this enchanted land are friends. 

Imagining

If you are quiet you can hear the little sounds that fairies make:

A little wisp, a giggle, a sweet, soft song.

Fairies will always show you the way home;

Just run and skip after the tiny lights
Dancing with powdery and sparkling pixie dust.

A Fantasy

It is fun to pretend and to dream

To make up a "Fairy" Tale.

This fairy tale is for all the little believers who have always wondered

"Where Do Fairies Come From?"