But I have found that in the simple act of living with hope and in the daily effort to have a positive impact in the world the days I do have are made all the more meaningful and precious. And for that I am grateful.

I'd rather rot on my own floor than be found by a bunch of bingo players in a nursing home.

But inspiration? - That's when you come home from abroad and are asked: Well have you found inspiration? - and fortunately you haven't. But the impressions sink in of course and may emerge later: None of us has invented the house that was done many thousands of years ago.

Every woman I've had a relationship with has found this maddening the fact that I will talk about anything on the stage and reveal all this stuff and yet when I'm at home I clam up and won't discuss anything intimate or personal.

I can't grill vegetables shellfish or steaks without tongs. Don't bother with those long-handled grilling tongs normally found in the BBQ section of your home store. Get intimate with your grill and opt for the regular stainless steel tongs.

The aesthetic came along the way I think - just through experimenting and going on tour and trying stuff out on stage having fun with it and not taking it too seriously. If I had a ballgown at home I'd wear it onstage. If I found something in a charity shop I'd wear it. That's where it grew from - just wanting to play dress-up.

The best thing that ever happened to me is that nothing happened in writing. I ended up working for engineering companies and that's where I found my material in the everyday struggle between capitalism and grace. Being broke and tired you don't come home your best self.

The only way you can have it all is by delegating all the running of the home to other people - which I don't ever want to do... So you do it yourself and it takes time and energy and effort. And if you give it the time it's profoundly enjoyable.

A recent Pew Hispanic survey found that more than 70 percent of illegal immigrants from Mexico are interested in a guest-worker program and then returning home.

Home life ceases to be free and beautiful as soon as it is founded on borrowing and debt.