Deedee Danby

“Curiously, growing Papaver somniferum in America is legal—unless, that is, it is done in the knowledge that you are growing a drug, when, rather magically, the exact same physical act becomes the felony of “manufacturing a controlled substance.” Evidently the Old Testament and the criminal code both make a connection between forbidden plants and knowledge.”
― Michael Pollan, The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World

“I reach for the napkin, and as I do I catch sight of my hands. They are knobby and crooked, thin-skinned, and—like my ruined face—covered with liver spots.

My face. I push the porridge aside and open my vanity mirror. I should know better by now, but somehow I still expect to see myself. Instead, I find an Appalachian apple doll, withered and spotty, with dewlaps and bags and long floppy ears. A few strands of white hair spring absurdly from its spotted skull.

I try to brush the hairs flat with my hand and freeze at the sight of my old hand on my old head. I lean close and open my eyes very wide, trying to see beyond the sagging flesh.

It's no good. Even when I look straight into the milky blue eyes, I can't find myself anymore. When did I stop being me?”
― Sara Gruen, Water for Elephants

“in the dark you have to describe yourself. In the daylight other people describe you.”
― Fynn, Mister God, This is Anna

“The mind unconsciously loves problems because they give you an identity of sorts.”
― Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment