15 steps-- out my back door, across the deck and I'm in the studio.  That means any time of the day or night, in any weather, regardless of what else is going on, I can be in my studio in a flash!  That's a blessing and a curse.  When I am really busy with commissions, deadlines, holidays, tricky firings in the kiln or other projects, I often take advantage of that convenience.  But after a while, it starts to wear me down.  Plus, the weather in New Jersey in February is not my favorite.  With my husband's birthday the day before mine, we often try to get away for a long weekend to some place warm and this year we chose Key Largo.  Although it was a bit cool and windy, we had a blast kayaking, biking, sitting in the hot tub, eating, drinking...  all the good fun of vacation.  But here was the highlight: we swam with 3 dolphins-- and a bonus 2 babies who we were instructed to ignore since they were still being trained.  It filled my heart with such joy to interact with these beautiful animals.  The four of us were the only ones in the water (62 degrees-- yikes!) and the trainers let us do some extra tricks with them, probably because it was so chilly and they couldn't believe how excited we all were anyway.  Back in the studio again, I am re-energized and starting on a new commission.  But sometimes my mind floats away and I am back in that water again, doing tricks with Leo, Brigg & Zoe.