virtual shopping

It's cold again today but when I look at this awesome bike basket, I feel a warmth in my heart that slowly spreads to my limbs and makes me smile. I've been looking at this bike basket for a couple years now: it's so obviously MINE, I actually feel as if I have owned it, delivered gifts with it, gotten it dirty and dusty, and by now it's even getting a little faded. Every few months, I go back to the website just to make sure it's still available should the need arise for real life ownership. And miracle of miracles, there it is. It's perfectly green and exceedingly cute. You just want to put a little picnic lunch in there and ride around the neighborhood. 

Sometimes when I'm out shopping (it has been awhile!), I carry something I like around with me all through the store. I look at it lovingly, hold it up to see how smart I will be wearing it to the next Women's Night Out. If I carry the thing around for just long enough, I don't even need to make the purchase. It feels like I've already owned it, worn it for several seasons, brought it down to St. Vinnie's in a paper bag and moved on.