I grew up on an old fruit farm in Martinsville, New Jersey.  So deep country, but 30 miles from New York City.  So both country and city mouse, my life was enriched by both worlds.  Mostly isolated on the old farm, I immersed myself in books and nature--exploring my parents' thousands of books, plus outdoors the apple trees, wildflowers, fields, vineyard, and surrounding brooks.  But also we rode the train, then ferry, into New York for plays, ballets, concerts, museums, etc.