Somehow, knowing that Alzheimer's is coming mocks all one's aspirations - to tell stories, to think through certain issues as only a novel can do, to be recognised for one's accomplishments and hard work - in a way that old familiar death does not.

Oh, that sound? I'm in the hot tub, reading a novel.

There are hundreds of Frank Lloyd Wright buildings around the United States and in other countries, too. Wright lived into his 90s, and one of his most famous buildings, the Guggenheim Museum in New York, was completed just before his death. Wright buildings look like Wright buildings - that is their paradox.

Well, in fact everybody - everybody - in the entire nation has enough stuff in their life to write about that's interesting that they could write their autobiography. And in the end that's why I find people interesting.

I have noticed before that there is a category of acquaintanceship that is not friendship or business or romance, but speculation, fascination.

English majors understand human nature better than economists do.

Charles Dickens was an avid seeker of names - he read directories and looked for odd names on gravestones.