The sea can swallow ships, and it can spit out whales like watermelon seeds. It will take what it wants, and it will keep what it has taken, and you may not take away from it what it does not wish to give.

I was born and raised in Ohio. During my childhood, I spent most of my time drawing and reading fairy tales and myths.

The only thing I would want to say is that storytelling is ancient; it's something that everybody does. Kids mustn't be in awe of it. Reading should be a joy - fun, fun, fun - not a responsibility, not something you do because society demands it, but something you do because it's a pleasure.

Nothing seems interesting when it belongs to you, only when it doesn't.

I have a wonderful husband, and we have had a great life.

But dying's part of the wheel, right there next to being born. You can't pick out the pieces you like and leave the rest. Being part of the whole thing, that's the blessing.

Life's got to be lived, no matter how long or short. You got to take what comes.