I like it when my mother smiles. And I especially like it when I make her smile.

A handwritten letter carries a lot of risk. It's a one-sided conversation that reveals the truth of the writer. Furthermore, the writer is not there to see the reaction of the person he writes to, so there's a great unknown to the process that requires a leap of faith. The writer has to choose the right words to express his sentences, and then, once he has sealed the envelope, he has to place those thoughts in the hands of someone else, trusting that the feelings will be delivered, and that the recipient will understand the writer's intent. How childish to think that could be easy.

Relief is a wonderful emotion, highly underrated. In fact, I prefer it to elation or joy. Relief lets the air out of the Tire of Pain.

Food was celebration, conversation, and nourishment. The table is where the big decisions of the family are made and all the arguing takes place.

If only men came made to order. It's so hard to find a decent fellow.

If there is one thing I hope my books do always and forever, its that they honor working people.

I'm very organized - and the best thing - when you love your work, you don't mind putting in 15 hour days. It's joyful.