Quotes from Joan Bauer

but Reba taught me to be grateful no matter what. I looked up at the blue sky.

i mean, jillian gushed. you have this force connecting you. it's under the surface, but it runs deep.

Almost. It's a big word for me. I feel it everywhere. Almost home. Almost happy. Almost changed. Almost, but not quite... Soon, maybe.

In life you have to laugh or you'll cry

Sometimes being hopeful needs to be a very deliberate act.

What kind of kids live in Mulhoney, Wisconsin? Would they like me? Would I like them? Have they ever eaten sushi? That's usually how I determine food sophistication. Maybe a personal ad would get the ball rolling: Insightful, hardworking, 16-year-old girl, emotionally generous and witty, seeks friend/pal/chum to while away meaningful hours. Picky eaters need not reply.

Millstone sputtered, "I don't know where you're getting your information, G.T., but that's as bogus as a barking cat!

On cheap tippers:"Don't take it personally; they were deprived somehow as children. On low-fat entrees: "They sell well enough, but nobody's too happy after the meal.

I don't expect life to be easy. It hasn't been yet and I'm not holding out for smooth sailing in the future. Not everyone likes this philosophy, but it makes sense to me because when life hits the skids, I don't have to regroup as much as the people who walk around in a cloud like the world owes them a joyful existence.

You don't mince words." "Just garlic.

You've got to love yourself with all your shortcomings, and you've got to love the world no matter how bad it gets.

My favorite star fact is: stars die but can keep on glowing. I like stubbornness in a star.

There's nothing wrong with having a different way of learning. What's wrong is when people blame you for it.

Coach Perkins will stand trial for second-degree murder in Cincinnati.

It's like getting an extraordinary meal after you've been eating junk food for a long time. The taste just sweeps through your sensibilities, bringing all-out contentment, and the sheer goodness of it makes up for every bad meal you ever had.

It's a pretty day, huh?" Meesha glared at me.

People are so cheap. Everyone wants quality, no one wants to pay for it. Here's the suburban dream-- to hire great workers who are such meek morons that they don't have the guts to ask for a living wage.

We are driving by the Gateway Arch—the tallest arch in the world. It's made of stainless steel and manages to glisten even on a cloudy day. We've been to the top of it four times. Every time I see it, I remember the early pioneers who pushed west to see what was beyond Missouri. That's what the arch is for—to help you think about courage. Those people had strong hearts and vision. My heart's not strong, but my vision makes up for it.

When you're going through a tough spell, it's easy to think that's all your life is about. You forget the good things, forget the quiet places. But they're always inside of us and we can pull them up when we need to set ourselves right.

Since I couldn't be the prettiest girl at the party I could at least make it uncomfortable for the one who was.

I stood up, and my pants ripped completely across the seam. It was inevitable, but for once in my life, my timing had been decent.

A heart will say amazing things if it's given half a chance.

No wonder you get along with so many kinds of people, Foster. Look at all this heritage that's part of you. That's something to be proud of.

Woe unto you when all men speak well of you.