High fashion has the shelf life of potato salad. And when past its prime, it is similarly deadly.

Recall that whatever lofty things you might accomplish today, you will do them only because you first ate something that grew out of the dirt.

After 'The Poisonwood Bible' was published, several people believed that my parents were missionaries, which could not be further from the truth.

Most of the girls my age, or even younger, have babies. They appear way too young to be married, till you look in their eyes. Then you'll see it. Their eyes look happy and sad at the same time, but unexcited by anything, shifting easily off to the side as if they've already seen most of what there is. Married eyes.

Respecting the dignity of a spectacular food means enjoying it at its best. Europeans celebrate the short season of abundant asparagus as a form of holiday. In the Netherlands the first cutting coincides with Father's Day, on which restaurants may feature all-asparagus menus and hand out neckties decorated with asparagus spears.

You know reviewers, they are the wind in their own sails.

All of the promises of politicians, generals, madmen, and crusaders that war can create peace have yet to be borne out.