“I come home from work this eveningthere was a note in the frying pansaid Fix Your Own Supper Babe I Run Off With The Fuller Brush ManWell I sat down at the tablescreamed & hollered & criedI commenced to carring on'till I almost lost my mindand I miss the way she used to Yell At Methe way she used to Cuss & Moanand if I ever go outand get married againI'll never leave my wifeat homeThe Frying PanDiamonds In The RoughJohn Prine”

“Fiona says that I have trouble moving on. That I cling to the past...I knew that I would miss it. I'd miss the way my life used to be when I worked there. I always miss the way my life used to be, and the best way to prevent that is to not change my life very much.”

“Mrs Collins brushed past me. My mind remained blank as i watched her walk down the hallway. For the first time, i missed the brain cells i'd fried.”

“I wont take no for an answer. I will use this to bind you to my bed until you change your mind if you dont answer the way I want you to. Will you marry me?"She grinned. "I dont know." Her attention fixed on the tie for a few seconds before she met his gaze again. "I might be tempted to say no just to get you to tie me to your bed.”

“Sometimes I remember the way I used to be," she said as we sat across the table from each other, "and I'm surprised nobody ever smacked me." I took a long sip of my coffee so that I would not have to answer her. I wanted to tell her that she ought to be more generous to the girl she used to be, if not out of respect for herself, then out of respect for me, or more specifically for the boy I used to be, who loved that girl, after all.”

“...she waited until she and my grandfather Anthel were just home from their honeymoon, and then sat him down and told him this: "Honey, I know you like to take a drink, and that's all right, but be forewarned that I ain't your maid and I ain't your punching bag, and if you ever raise your hand to me you'd best kill me. Because otherwise I'll wait until you're asleep; sew you into the bed; and beat you to death with a frying pan." Until he died, I am told, my grandfather was a gentle man.”