A childhood belief about places

As a child, I was often subjected to accounts of my mother's eploits in some place she referred to as " My Amee". I supposed this was some place only she had anything to do with- by ownership, or membership, whatever it was, I had no idea- and I guessed everyone might have such a thing or place, of their own.
Not until years later did I learn that there was an art scool in Miami, Florida, and understand that, as an art student aiming at a career in commercial art, this was just the place she might have had quite a few significant experiences.