“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.”

“To wish to act like angels while we are still in this world is nothing but folly.”

“It isn't important to come out on top what matters is to be the one who comes out alive.”

“Expect nothing and life will be velvet.”

“If you expect great things of yourself and demand little of others, youll keep resentment far away.”

“There were two ways to be happy: improve your reality, or lower your expectations”

“One recipe for happiness is to have to sense of entitlement.' To this she added a star and noted at the bottom of the page: 'This is not a lesson I have ever been in a position to learn.”