Close to Famous

I'll tell you something about tough times. They just about kill you, but if you decide to keep working at them, you'll find your way through.

But then Macon smiled at me. "Just be yourself, Foster. That's the best thing in the world.

I reached into my bag and pulled out a pumpkin spice muffin with walnuts that was as moist as anything. "It can be plain for breakfast or I can top it with cream cheese frosting. I like a muffin that can go from day to evening." I gave it to her. She sniffed it, nodded, and held it up. "How do I know you're not trying to poison me?" I wasn't expecting that question. "Ms. Morningstar, I swear, if I was going to poison you, I wouldn't ruin a perfectly fine muffin to do it.

I held it over my heart. Mrs. Worth smiled. "That's where a book should be carried.

I'll tell you something about tough things. They just about kill you, but if you decide to keep working at them, you'll find the way through. On the Food Network they have these shows where cooks have to put a meal together with all these weird ingredients. That's a lot like my life-dealing with things you wouldn't think ever go together. But a good cook can make the best meal out of the craziest combinations.

She stamped the book and gave it to me. "You bring it back in three weeks." I held it over my heart. Mrs. Worth smiled. "That's where a book should be carried.

There's nothing wrong with having a different way of learning. What's wrong is when people blame you for it.

When you're going through a tough spell, it's easy to think that's all your life is about. You forget the good things, forget the quiet places. But they're always inside of us and we can pull them up when we need to set ourselves right.

When you’re going through a tough spell, it’s easy to think that’s all your life is about. You forget the good things, forget the quiet places. But they’re always inside of us and we can pull them up when we need to set ourselves right.

No wonder you get along with so many kinds of people, Foster. Look at all this heritage that’s part of you. That’s something to be proud of.

COOK’S TIP: Bake every day. If you have to leave town fast, you’ll always have something good to eat in the car.