God deals us all different hands. How we play 'em is up to us.

— Jeannette Walls

Horses were never wrong. They always did what they did for a reason, and it was up to you to figure it out.

— Jeannette Walls

I became known as Lily Casey, the mustang-breaking, poker-playing, horse-race-winning schoolmarm of Cocooning County, and it wasn't half bad to be in place where no one had a problem with a woman having a moniker like that.

— Jeannette Walls

I could see why Archimedes got all excited. There was nothing finer than the feeling that came rushing through you when it clicked, and you suddenly understood something that had puzzled you. It made you think it just might be possible to get a handle on this old world after all.

— Jeannette Walls

I feel like I failed," I said. "Don't beat yourself up," Jim said. "She might not have turned out like you planned, but that don't mean she turned out wrong.

— Jeannette Walls

If you had weak eyes, they needed exercise to get strong. Glasses were like crutches. They prevented people with feeble eyes from seeing the world on their own.

— Jeannette Walls

If you want to be reminded of the love of the Lord, just watch the sunrise.

— Jeannette Walls

If you want to be treated like a mother, act like one.

— Jeannette Walls

I'm none too big on giving advice,' Aunt Al said. 'Most times when folks ask for advice, they already know what they should do. They just want to hear it from someone else.

— Jeannette Walls

In this world, it's not enough to have a fine education. You need a piece of paper to prove you got it.

— Jeannette Walls