“They grew fat and happy--the horses, not the children, or Marlena for that matter.”

“Then I lie down on the horse blanket and drift into a dream about Marlena that will probably cost me my soul.”

“Then she turns to Midnight and perches delicately on his lowered back. He rises, arches his neck, and carries Marlena from the big top. The rest of the horses follow, once again grouped by color, crowding each other to stay close to their mistress.”

“But it all zipped by. One minute Marlena and I were up to our eyeballs, and the next thing we knew the kids were borrowing the car and fleeing the coop for college. And now, here I am. In my nineties and alone.”

“Dear God. Not only am I unemployed and homeless, but I also have a pregnant woman, bereaved dog, elephant, and eleven horses to take care of.”

“Jacob: I've never seen so much manure.Wade: Baggage stock horses. They pack'em in 27 a car.Jacob: how do you stand the smell?Wade: what smell?”

“Must protect my little pockets of happiness.”