My Muse

In these Covid times, still under lockdown here in Ontario, Canada, my wife and I can usually be found in our sacred spaces, her intent on solving the Wordscapes puzzle on her iPad and me, arms folded at the back of my head, feet on the coffee table, staring into space wondering what life would be like if I had married Michelle Pfeiffer. I had talked my wife into going to the cinema to see ‘ Batman Returns’ with me. She had agreed but only if I went to see ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry, They Get Even’ with her. Driving home after watching Batman, I confessed to my wife that I had fallen truly, madly deeply in love with Michelle Pfeiffer. She just purred and rubbed my arm…….and no, Michelle Pfeiffer is not my muse.

In my late teens I played football(soccer) for the Taverners. We tried to improve our skills every Sunday morning at Hackney Marshes. Once a year we hired a single engine, sixteen seater plane and flew over the Channel to Belgium to play in a tournament. We visited the night clubs till 3:00 a.m. and then tried our best the next morning to give a decent account of ourselves at the tournament. One such night, after visiting a night club, I had a vivid dream of Fred Astaire dancing his way around the hotel. I loved watching the early Fred Astaire movies with Ginger Rogers. They were so light heart hearted and I found Fred Astaire a wonderful dancer, so debonair, with that sardonic smile and charm. At breakfast the next morning my fellow team mates asked what kind of dance I was attempting around the hotel lobby. “Was that ballet you were performing, as you jumped up and down from the coffee tables”…….and no Fred Astaire is not my muse.

I was brought up on the television comedies of the Goon Show and Monty Pythons Flying Circus. A favorite movie of mine is the ‘Life of Brian’, particularly the ending scene where Brian is hanging from the cross singing “Look on the bright side of life”. I still remember the song fondly from the 2012 Summer Olympics held in London and watch it often on YouTube……..and no Eric Idle is not my muse.

Yes, my muse is The Bluebird of Happiness. There is a song ‘Bluebird of Happiness’ composed in 1934, partial lyrics above, that inspires me. There are many versions but my favorite is the duet by Jo Stafford and Gordon Macrae. I never blog when I am gloomy or sad but only when the Bluebird of Happiness flies into my vision and beckons me forward. In these Covid times I have not seen this little Bluebird as often. Recently I have seen him fluttering at the window, trying to come in, but prevented by a layer of protective glass. Reading all your blogs over the last few months have lifted my spirits and the The Bluebird of Happiness has finally flown onto my shoulder, lifting my spirit and so here I am blogging.