I just pay attention to what's in my head. That's my number-one rule.

I've done my share of busking, and it's fun until it isn't. There are musicians in the subways that will make you cry, they're so good.

I think I'm still a little too intense for my own good sometimes.

Every time I get up in the morning, melodies occur to me and I start trying to shape lyrics to melodies.

I guess I'm attracted to more archaic words because they can be imbued with more meaning, because their definition is elusive.

My favorite literature to read is fairly dry history. I like the framework, and my imagination can do the rest.

Sometimes I think I don't have much choice in the matter. It's just what happens, and I'm following my instincts the whole time.

Songwriters can sort of get away with murder. You can throw out crazy theories and not have to back it up with data or graphs or research.

All the folks I play with come from jazz backgrounds or at least appreciate spontaneity within the parameters of a pop song.

I am, in some sense, a writer. Even though I kinda downplay the word thing, I do enjoy writing sometimes.

I think when I was pretty young I got really into the tone of my instrument and I remember just playing one note for an hour to just kind of feel the resonance of the violin.

The weak can't bear to face their weaknesses in the presence of our strength.

If want a person wants is his life, he tends to be quiet about wanting anything else.

October turned my maple's leaves to gold The most are gone now here and there one lingers Soon these will slip from out the twig's weak hold Like coins between a dying miser's fingers.

Work is the province of cattle.

I don't know if my work is a concerted effort to make kids sad!

A woman needs to enjoy life a little bit more. Needs to think about family, needs to think about kids.

The heavens and the earth, the woods and the wayside, teem with instruction and knowledge to the curious and thoughtful.

It is so much easier to grieve for the dead than to care for the living. At least in death we are all perfect.

Prayer is the way to experience a powerful confidence that God is handling our lives well.