Once Upon a Barstool

Once upon a time, I moved into a new apartment with a counter/bar that needed some barstools. I got this great vision for the space that involved some awesome green leather barstools. Once or twice, I gained a glimpse of the perfect barstool. After those first few glimpses, though, I never saw it again. But, I didn't give up hope. I kept seeking my ideal stool with its sleek shape, minimal footprint, funky green color, and uncommon height. I visited several specialty stores, looked at the Big Box stores, even tried to custom-order something. I scoured the internet trying to find the stool that by now I was afraid I had created in my design-friendly imagination. Eventually, I started thinking that perhaps my perfect barstool didn't exist.... that I may have to give up one or more characteristics I previously thought were mandatory...that I missed my chance for barstool happiness. I considered fabric rather than leather, legs rather than a pedestal, even trolled Craigslist for something used that I could recover. But, nothing seemed quite right. I always found something wrong with each one.

One day, I was looking once again at the Big Box and something caught my eye. It didn't meet all of my wishes or demands or requirements, but maybe this stool would be good enough. I kept walking that morning, but that evening when I sat down to eat my bowl of pasta with red sauce on my nearly-white couch, I realized it was time to give in. I carefully finished my potentially stainmaking dinner and then went directly back to pick up two barstools. They're not everything I wanted or thought I needed, but they're not bad. They look pretty good there and now I can actually sit at my counter to work or eat like a grown-up.

Perhaps if I ever see that perfect barstool again, I will feel a twinge of regret. But, I'll probably just keep walking, knowing that I have all I need in the barstools I have at home.