Sisters annoy, interfere, criticize. Indulge in monumental sulks, in huffs, in snide remarks. Borrow. Break. Monopolize the bathroom. Are always underfoot. But if catastrophe should strike, sisters are there. Defending you against all comers.

Medicines may be necessary. Flowers lift the heart. But your smile is the best restorative of all.

Sisters don't need words. They have perfected a language of snarls and smiles and frowns and winks - expressions of shocked surprise and incredulity and disbelief. Sniffs and snorts and gasps and sighs - that can undermine any tale you're telling.

A friend is the only person you will let into the house when you are Turning Out Drawers.

The work of a garden bears visible fruits-in a world where most of our labours seem suspiciously meaningless.

For the sake of the sons - and even for the son's future wives - a woman must keep a part of her mind and heart entirely for herself. Every family is better off with a wife and mother who can astonish and occasionally dewilder.

One small cat changes coming home to an empty house to coming home.