In Russia, as I sat there day after day wearing headphones, listening to the interpreter struggle to make our words relevant, I wondered if we could establish meaningful rapport with a nation that had never seen raisins dance in dark glasses on TV...never had a garage sale.

My sister and I never engaged in sibling rivalry. Our parents weren't that crazy about either one of us.

With boys you always know where you stand. Right in the path of a hurricane. It's all there. The fruit flies hovering over their waste can, the hamster trying to escape to cleaner air, the bedrooms decorated in Early Bus Station Restroom.

Phone are wonderful instruments, but I wouldn't want our daughter to marry one.

Never lend your car to anyone to whom you have given birth.

House guests should be regarded as perishables: Leave them out too long and they go bad.

When the going gets tough, the tough make cookies.