I once asked Jim if he had a favourite John Steinbeck book. He mentioned The Red Pony, a great little read about growing up - and, I suppose, about keeping the heart from hardening. I'm looking at it again now, and a line from Jody's grandfather sticks out: "I tell those old stories, but they're not what I want to tell. I only know how I want people to feel when I tell them." Jim, message received.