In Manhattan last month I heard a woman borrowing the jargon of junkies to say to another, 'Want to do some chocolate?'

Habitats keep evolving new pageants of species, and we shouldn't interfere.

[On gardens:] I think they're sanctuaries for the mind and spirit. ... It's easy to feel wonder-struck in a garden, especially if you cultivate delight.

Mystery causes a mental itch, which the brain tries to soothe with the balm of reasonable talk.

For the longest time I didn't realize I was creative - I just thought I was strange.

And yet, words are the passkeys to our souls. Without them, we can't really share the enormity of our lives.

Because we can't escape our ancient hunger to live close to nature, we encircle the house with lawns and gardens, install picture windows, adopt pets and Boston ferns, and scent everything that touches our lives.