1
" Some of the most memorable, and least regrettable, nights of my own youth were spent in coon hunting with farmers. There is no denying that these activities contributed to the economy of farm households, but a further fact is that they were pleasures; they were wilderness pleasures, not greatly different from the pleasures pursued by conservationists and wilderness lovers. As I was always aware, my friends the coon hunters were not motivated just by the wish to tree coons and listen to hounds and listen to each other, all of which were sufficiently attractive; they were coon hunters also because they wanted to be afoot in the woods at night. Most of the farmers I have known, and certainly the most interesting ones, have had the capacity to ramble about outdoors for the mere happiness of it, alert to the doings of the creatures, amused by the sight of a fox catching grasshoppers, or by the puzzle of wild tracks in the snow. "
― Wendell Berry , Bringing it to the Table: On Farming and Food
2
" Perhaps the single most enjoyable part of my researches, which covered a period of about four years, was meeting the artists themselves, the people who provide the luxuries. All of them, from tailors and boot makers to truffle hunters and champagne blenders, were happy in their work, generous with their time, and fascinating about their particular skills. To listen to a knowledgeable enthusiast, whether he's talking about a Panama hat or the delicate business of poaching foie gras in Sauternes, is a revelation, and I often came away wondering why the price wasn't higher for the talent and patience involved. "
― Peter Mayle
3
" She needed Andrew Simpson Smith, it was that simple. And he had spent his life training to help people like her. Gods. " Okay, Andrew. But let's leave today. I'm in a hurry." " Of course. Today." He stroked the place where his slight beard was beginning to grow. " These ruins where your friends are waiting? Where are they?" Tally glances up at the sun, still low enough to indicate the eastern horizon. After a moment's calculation, she pointed off to the northwest, back toward the city and beyond that, the Rusty Ruins. " About a week's walk that way." " A week?" " That means seven days." " Yes, I know the gods' calendar," he said huffily. " But a whole week?" " Yeah. That's not so far, is it?" The hunters had been tireless on their march the night before. He shook his head, an awed expression on his face. " But that is beyond the edge of the world. "
13
" Beware, Underlanders, time hangs by a thread.
The hunters are hunted, white water runs red.
The Gnawers will strike to extinguish the rest.
The hope of the hopeless resides in a quest.
An Overland warrior, a son of the sun,
May bring us back light, he may bring us back none.
But gather your neighbors and follow his call
Or rats will most surely devour us all.
Two over, two under, of royal descent,
Two flyers, two crawlers, two spinners assent.
One gnawer beside and one lost up ahead.
And eight will be left when we count up the dead.
The last who will die must decide where he stands.
The fate of the eight is contained in his hands.
So bid him take care, bid him look where he leaps,
As life may be death and death life again reaps. "
― Suzanne Collins , Gregor the Overlander (Underland Chronicles, #1)
20
" So,” I said. “Exactly how long have the two of you been together? I assume that you’ve been going hot and heavy ever since that night at Fletcher’s house when the bounty hunters interrupted you. Am I right?”
Finn and Bria didn’t look at me or each other.
“Right,” Bria mumbled. “Although if it makes you uncomfortable—”
“Then Gin’s just going to have to deal with it,” Finn cut her off.
Bria stared at him in surprise.
“What?” Finn said. “I worked too hard and too long to get you into my bed to just cut you loose now, cupcake.”
Bria’s eyes narrowed. “Cupcake?”
“Cupcake.” Finn grinned at her. “Or would you prefer snuggle bunny?”
Bria’s hand drifted down to the gun on her leather belt, as though she wanted to pull it out and shoot Finn with it. Well, it was good to know I wasn’t the only one who occasionally had that reaction to him.
...
Then I fixed them both with a hard stare. “Just don’t ask me to take sides when the two of you go at each other. Okay?”
They nodded, then looked at each other. Finn waggled his eyebrows in a suggestive manner, and Bria snorted. But she couldn’t stop a grin from curving her lips. "
― Jennifer Estep , Spider’s Revenge (Elemental Assassin, #5)
