WIST Quotations

Baum, L. Frank -- The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, ch. 1 (1900)

Dave — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 21:05:22 +0000

When Aunt Em came there to live she was a young, pretty wife. The sun and wind had changed her, too. They had taken the sparkle from her eyes and left them a sober gray; they had taken the red from her cheeks and lips, and they were gray also. She was thin and gaunt, and never smiled, now.

L. Frank Baum (1856-1919) American author [Lyman Frank Baum]
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, ch. 1 (1900)
(Source)

Adams, Franklin P. -- Nods and Becks (1944)

Dave — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 22:42:43 +0000

Years ago we discovered the exact point, the dead center of middle age. It occurs when you are too young to take up golf and too old to rush up to the net.

Franklin Pierce Adams (1881-1960) American journalist and humorist ["F. P. A."]
Nods and Becks (1944)
(Source)

Originally published in Franklin's "Conning Tower" newspaper column during 1934-1935.

Austen, Jane -- Letter (1813-11-06) to Cassandra Austen

Dave — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 20:06:42 +0000

By the bye, as I must leave off being young, I find many douceurs [sweets] in being a sort of chaperon, for I am put on the sofa near the fire and can drink as much wine as I like.

Jane Austen (1775-1817) English author
Letter (1813-11-06) to Cassandra Austen
(Source)

Jane was 38 at the time.