I did not realize that when money becomes a core value, then education drives towards utility or that the life of the mind will not be counted as good unless it produces measurable results. That public services will no longer be important. That an alternative life to getting and spending will become very difficult as cheap housing disappears. That when communities are destroyed only misery and intolerance are left.

Unconditional love is what a child should expect from a parent even though it rarely works out that way.

Everyone thinks their own situation most tragic. I am no exception.

I live alone, with cats, books, pictures, fresh vegetables to cook, the garden, the hens to feed.

I have no idea what happens next.

She hated being a nobody and like all children, adopted or not, I have had to live out some of her unlived life. We do that for our parents - we don't really have any choice.

I don't want to conquer you; I just want to climb you.