And I see that not touching for so long was a drive to the beach with the windows rolled up so the waves feel that much colder.

Good leaders being scarce, following yourself is allowed.

I probably have less revision than those who have that wonderful rush of story to tell - you know, I can't wait to tell you what happened the other day. It comes tumbling out and maybe then they go back and refine. I kind of envy that way of working, but I just have never done it.

The year I began to say vahz instead of vase, a man I barely knew nearly accidentally killed me.

Just because you have stopped sinking doesn't mean you're not still underwater.

I wanted to be a veterinarian, but slipped up when I hit organic chemistry.

Then the children went to bed, or at least went upstairs, and the men joined the women for a cigarette on the porch, absently picking ticks engorged like grapes off the sleeping dogs. And when the men kissed the women good night, and their weekend whiskers scratched the women's cheeks, the women did not think shave, they thought stay.