Create with Kim!

I lost my keys in Pier One while visiting my daughter at work. They had a truck in so my daughter was busy shelving tiny china blue dishware in various patterns. I roamed and over the course of my window shopping, lost my keys. I had the whole store searching for a single car key on a pink plastic spiral key chain-the kind you can wear on your wrist.

The search was called off, keys still missing, and I set to wander the store again. Remembering where I had exclaimed at finds to my daughter who was shelving, I found the keys next to the hideous gold trays marked down from 15.00 dollars to $3.68.

Originally, I had been getting comfy on a sofa with pretty pillows and surveying the store. I spied that golden tray and imagined it holding my scrap booking items. This was my second time noticing the tray as it has been around since Christmas. I used my best announcer voice and stated the gold trays were moving fast, 3.68 at your neighborhood Pier One. My daughter chuckled.

I was drawn from my seat on the couch, also on sale for only $699.00, to the hideous gold tray. I set down my wallet, pink Motorola cell phone and spiral key chain to pick up the tray and flip it over. China. The tray was metallic gold it reminded me of summer, sand shimmering, millions of stars sparkling in a night sky on the darkest of summer nights, sand between my toes, sand spilling from my hands like the grains in a hour glass, walking beaches, stretching feet, heat, waves, floating on water in a tube. Little did I realize the tray had hypnotized.

I sit at Starbucks happy to have my key, to have air conditioning, and a double shot espresso over ice. I am not buying a hideous gold tray I laugh while writing in my journal. I shall not buy products from China. Not even the comfy couch at $699.00. I walked directly past the gold tray, lawn furniture, colorful cushions, and citronella candles. And out of the store. I shall not buy products from China. It is a mantra. Over and over, I renew my vow. I’m trying to have faith. I am not a consumer. I am a person of substance and I shall not buy a hideous gold tray.

I have three dollars cash. Do I have enough change? I will not count. I will eat my praline cookie, and sip my drink. My canvas bag and chain purse are sitting at my feet.

At least I will not drive back to Pier One. I will walk. Save gas. Discounted further, I did not even need to count out change.