“No one knows his true character until he has run out of gas, purchased something on the installment plan and raised an adolescent.”

“Our children await Christmas presents like politicians getting in election returns: there's the Uncle Fred precinct and the Aunt Ruth district still to come in.”

“Children in a family are like flowers in a bouquet: there's always one determined to face in an opposite direction from the way the arranger desires.”

“Eating without conversation is only stoking.”

“Weather means more when you have a garden. There's nothing like listening to a shower and thinking how it is soaking in around your green beans.”

“If at first you don't succeed, blame your parents.”

“work at our responsibility as parents as if everything in life counted on it, because in fact everything in life does count on it.”

“Happiness [is] only real when shared”

“That's what people do who love you. They put their arms around you and love you when you're not so lovable.”