Although I am a person who expected to be rooted in one spot forever, as it has turned out I love having the memories of living in many places.

As travel pushes me forward, memory keeps dragging me backward.

Five tender apricots in a blue bowl, a brief and exact promise of things to come.

I loved every place I lived and traveled. London, Paris, Rome, Venice. I fell hard for Central America and Mexico. In each country, I had fantasies that I could live there.

I got the idea that to write books would be the best way to spend a life. I never thought of anything else that seemed like half as much fun, although in my next life I would like to be an architect, too, so I can have an easier time restoring houses.

Although I am a person who expected to be rooted in one spot forever, as it has turned out I love having the memories of living in many places.

Going to Europe as a budding cook opened my eyes to food in a different way. When I got to Italy, the first thing I did was put my little basil plants in the ground and watch them turn into big, healthy bushes.