I had read a Tale of Two Cities and found it up to my standards as a romantic novel. She opened the first page and I heard poetry for the first time in my life...her voice slid in and curved down trough and over the words. She was nearly singing.

The future is plump with promise.

My life has been long, and believing that life loves the liver of it, I have dared to try many things, sometimes trembling, but daring still.

A joyful spirit is evidence of a grateful heart.

I have a son, who is my heart. A wonderful young man, daring and loving and strong and kind.

I think music is one of the hero/sheroes of the African-American existence.

Whenever I'm around some who is modest, I think, 'Run like hell and all of fire.' You don't want modesty, you want humility.