To us, our house was not unsentient matter -- it had a heart, and a soul, and eyes to see us with; and approvals and solicitudes and deep sympathies; it was of us, and we were in its confidence, and lived in its grace and in the peace of its benediction.
- Mark Twain
(my house in snow...may we see it again one day...but for now, over 100 F each day. Sigh.)