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.