Oh my God, sociability is just a big smile and a big smile is nothing but teeth, I wish I could just stay up here and rest and be kind." But somebody brought up some wine and that started me off.

I petted the dogs who didn't argue with me ever. All dogs love God. They're wiser than their masters.

For the first time in my life the weather was not something that touched me, that caressed me, froze or sweated me, but became me.

There are worse things than being mad.

It is not my fault that certain so-called bohemian elements have found in my writings something to hang their peculiar beatnik theories on.

As I grew older I became a drunk. Why? Because I like ecstasy of the mind.

The yard was full of tomato plants about to ripen, and mint, mint, everything smelling of mint, and one fine old tree that I loved to sit under on those cool perfect starry California October nights unmatched anywhere in the world.