The noun muse is defined first as “any of 9 daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne; protector of an art or science” and then as “the source of an artist′s inspiration”.  I find it curious that scientists are left out of the second “modern” definition.  I suggest the ancients had the right idea protecting Art AND science. 

The verb muse  is defined as “reflecting deeply on a subject; the scientist must stop to observe and start to excogitate”.  Excogitate? What a cool word! It means “come up with an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle after a mental effort”,  as in “Leave us excogitate on muse for a bit”.

Two weeks ago I walked into a local CD reseller, Zia Record Exchange, and bought digital versions of about 80 of my well worn vinyl albums. (Zia has many definitions, unfortunately it is NOT the name of a daughter of Zeus,  that would have REALLY been something to add to this excogitation).  Anyway, after setting Zia’s manager abuzz, I brought the CDs home and added them to my MP3 collection stored on a external 1 terabyte “DataBook” hardrive that hides in a cabinet in my den.  Finally, I picked up my wireless Sonos digital jukebox controller, and started playing MUSIC throughout my house and patio. 

I tell you all of this because, as the Doobie Brothers sang, “Music, (The word derives from Greek μουσική (mousike), “…of the Muses”), is the doctor of my soul”

When I am stuck in my artistic, scientific, or any of my other more mundane endeavors I find that there is nothing like a good tune to get this old excogitator “takin care of business” again.