I was hoping you'd post in this thread, Debra, since I know what a leap of faith you took to change longitudes for a few years in order to get the art training you wanted.

Preliminarily, references to

That actually sounds like a LOT of fun to me, but then that's maybe just my own crazy approach to the idea of change and trying new things.

As Steven says, it depends on how you feel about new situations.

Yeah, I know. I wasn't going to make too much of that, but I nearly had a case of wanderlust kick in as I typed out that scenario. But then, I'm comfortable living out of a tent or a boat anyway.

And in fact, I'm looking at tonight's storm forecast (6-10 inches of new snow in the Twin Cities, 25-35 mph winds) and thinking about tomorrow morning's snarled commute to my cubicle far away in another galaxy. A few seasons' worth of tides, beach scavenging and painting in salt air might be just the kind of character-building experience I need to sign on for. Maybe even meet a real Irish mermaid who'll be my Muse.

As the travel folks say, you won't know if you don't go.

I wish only the best for you.

Good luck on your new adventure.

By the by I am also a fan of Pema Chodron, I named a cat after her.

We'll thicken it up for you with a roux, call it "bisque" instead of chowder. Couple of tablespoons of Tabasco, you'll be a happy beachcomber.

Say . . . you're not one of those Irish selkies, are you?

Happy travels.

Steven, Steven! Whenever you are in the cafe here I always reach for my dictionary knowing I will be looking up something. Selkie is not in Webster's so for anyone else who did not know what a selkie is, from Google:

"The shy Selkies are marine creatures in the shape of a seal. They can be found near the islands of Orkney and Shetland. A female can shed her skin and comes ashore as a beautiful woman. When a man finds the skin, he can force the Selkie to be a good, if somewhat sad, wife. Should she ever recover the skin, she will immediately return to the sea, leaving her husband behind. The male Selkies are responsible for storms and also for the sinking of ships, which is their way of avenging the hunting of seals"

Being a Muse is a much more attractive proposition!

Thank you Sharon, all the support here is appreciated and you WILL be hearing of my adventure down south. I met a woman this morning who told me I will find everyone is more pleasant (which I have experienced on my trips to Atlanta) in the south because there is more sunshine. It is 70 and gray and raining today in Cleveland, tomorrow it will be 34 and Lord knows, it is never ever good weather for the St. Patrick's Day parade, though we all show up for it anyways!!

I'm glad you've made that choice.

What helped me was joining various groups (art groups, hiking groups, whatever you're interested in) whenever I moved to a new city (I've done it a few times, actually). You will probably miss your family and friends a lot, so getting out and about to meet new people will make all the difference.

A good idea, Michele. I am looking forward to meeting our Julie Deane and joining her art group!

Check out the Portrait Society of Atlanta, too, of course!