Normal' is a dryer setting.

I had, of course, no model for that sort of woman being married, but I can make that up as I go along.

One of my degrees was a science degree in biology.

Empress of the Universe would be way too much work. I'd have to wear fancy clothes, probably including lady shoes with pointed toes, and could no longer slouch into the study in PJs and slippers. Someone would (avert!) straighten my desk. Someone would reorganize my yarn stash...in fact, they'd assign someone else to knit my socks, thus depriving me of an excuse to rest my brain while pretending to accomplish something useful.

I like it that order exists somewhere even if it shatters near me.

Now my mother, interestingly enough, was not a feminist in her own mind.

I actually feel that the different kinds of stories come out of different parts of my brain.