I remember my childhood names for grasses and secret flowers. I remember where a toad may live and what time the birds awaken in the summer -- and what trees and seasons smelled like -- how people looked and walked and smelled even. The memory of odors is very rich.

Lord, how the day passes! It's like a life - so quickly when we don't watch it and so slowly when we do.

You are not a man anymore. You are a soldier. Your comfort is of no importance and your life isn't of much importance. Most of your orders will be unpleasant, but that's not your business. They should've trained you for this, and not for flower-strewn streets. They should have built your soul with truth, not led along with lies.

But you can't start over Only a boy can start over You and me Why, we're all that's been

I had been practicing for the Depression a long time. I wasn't involved with loss. I didn't have money to lose, but in common with millions I did dislike hunger and cold.

A little hope, even hopeless hope, never hurt anybody.

I have written a great many stories and I still don't know how to go about it except to write it and take my chances.