I feel as if something has been torn suddenly out of my life and left a terrible hole. I feel as if I couldn't be I — as if I must have changed into somebody else and couldn't get used to it. It gives me a horrible lonely, dazed, helpless feeling. It's good to see you again — it seems as if you were a sort of anchor for my drifting soul.

All pioneers are considered to be afflicted with moonstruck madness.

It was really dreadful to be so different from other people…and yet rather wonderful, too, as if you were a being strayed from another star.

I love to smell flowers in the dark," she said. "You get hold of their soul then.

Isn't it good just to be alive on a day like this? I pity the people who aren't born yet for missing it.

Trees have as much individuality as human beings. Not even two spruces are alike. There is always some kink or curve or bend of bough to single each one out from its fellows.

Blessings be the inventor of the alphabet, pen and printing press! Life would be -- to me in all events -- a terrible thing without books.