November 23, 2008 – Visited my daughter Emma in Brooklyn yesterday, and stopped by to see some friends in NJ on the way back.  I was struck again, as I always am, by all the things by people’s fingertips – delis, groceries, shops, movies, bookstores, and how remote things are from the farm. I have to drive about a half an hour to go do everything, and the good thing about that is that I get to hear a lot of music.
  I stopped by a hip grocery in New Jersey and was struck by how good the food choices were, including a lot of stuff I like to eat but find it hard to get in the country – I am practically a vegetarian these days. We had brunch in a cafe with more soups and sandwiches than I see in months up here. My friends said they couldn’t imagine living in an area where one had to do so much driving, and sometimes I agree with them. It is a tradeoff, for sure. I like it, though. I don’t know that I could give up looking at so many beautiful things each day, or living on top of so many people.  I know a lot of people in the country who can’t imagine life in the city, and vice versa. I can imagine life in both places. I’d love spending some more time in Brooklyn, but I know by now that after a few weeks I’d go out of my mind. I love pulling into the farm and stepping out of the car and taking a deep breath. Tomorrow I start on a new book, a big day. I hope it’s cold. On cold days, I stay inside and work, and behave.