1. when i want some more paint i can run next door and buy a new tube or container without having to search for bereries, roots and bark to grind up myself.

2. when i desire interesting and decorative papers i can either run next door or drive 5 minutes away and have instant access to search through hundreds of machine and hand-made papers without having to grind the wood into a pulp myself, screen it, felt it and dry it for later use

3. if i discover an interesting technique i don’t generally need to experiment until my eyeballs bleed and my fingers fall off to learn how it is done; i can walk around the corner, run next door or drive 5 minutes away to have a vast library at my fingertips to guide me through step by step and sometimes there will even be all inclusive kits to learn

living in a place where i have such a luxury is a blessing. truly, it is.