When a hurricane thrashes the mid-Atlantic, my hilly town often reaps the fringe of the storm. The rain starts blowing sideways, and sometimes we see hail the size of purie marbles. Diane Ackerman atlanticblowfringe Change image and share on social
Complexity excites the mind, and order rewards it. In the garden, one finds both, including vanishingly small orders too complex to spot, and orders so vast the mind struggles to embrace them. Diane Ackerman complexcomplexityembrace Change image and share on social
Look in the mirror. The face that pins you with its double gaze reveals a chastening secret. Diane Ackerman chastendoubleface Change image and share on social
When all is said and done, we exist only in relation to the world, and our senses evolved as scouts who bridge that divide and provide volumes of information, warnings and rewards. Diane Ackerman bridgedivideevolve Change image and share on social
The garden is a living, pulsing, singing, scratching, warring, erotic, and generally rowdy thing. I may find peace in its midst, but I regard it as a whole with many parts, a plural organism. Diane Ackerman eroticfindgarden Change image and share on social
Love is the best school, but the tuition is high and the homework can be painful. Diane Ackerman highhomeworklove Change image and share on social
In the winter, I enjoy cross-country skiing and raising orchids and amaryllises. If I could grow tropical flowers as perennials, I would, especially hibiscus and mandavilla. Diane Ackerman amaryllisescountrycross Change image and share on social
My mother always said I must be part Mongolian because of my lotus-pale complexion and squid-ink black hair. Diane Ackerman blackcomplexionhair Change image and share on social
On some summer days in New York City, the air hangs thickly visible, like the combined exhalations of eight million souls. Steam rising from vents underground makes you wonder if there isn't one giant sweat gland lodged beneath the city. Diane Ackerman airbeneathcity share on social
All relationships change the brain - but most important are the intimate bonds that foster or fail us, altering the delicate circuits that shape memories, emotions and that ultimate souvenir, the self. Diane Ackerman alterbondbrain share on social
