Nope. I'm in before Sunday night this week. Amazing!

I've been struggling with what I thought was an errant Muse this last couple of weeks (as you might be aware if you've seen my posts regarding same. Apologies for boring you to death.)

Actually, I've discovered that the Muse is not errant at all, just otherwise employed as a character in a local theatre production, an adapted version of Gogol's 'The Government Inspector'.

Doris has a favourite saying which has something to do with low flying ducks, one of which you can see is creeping out of her big 1960s hair-do. She's here with Ivana, the postmistress and with Pip, the hospital matron. (By the way, the local Kangaroo Island Players team is the best, a great bunch of fun-loving people).

So why did I feel Muse-abandoned? I watched other writers' FB posts, marvelled at the talent and success and wondered why I couldn't do/write/engage like that. Why can't I be like that (and etc)? was the wah-wah cry. 

(Stay with me - the Muse bit is back on) ... Then I realised I do 'do' like that, I do 'write' like that, I do 'engage' like that, just not like any one else ... I do it like me.

Because Doris is from the Muse as well. She came channelling in like a mad thing to take over for a couple of weeks sucking up all the creativity, bursting forth like an alien being chewing gum (you had to be there...). Any wonder the writing bit stalled.

Over the last couple of years my delight in returning to the thing I love to do (writing) and also taking up something I have always wanted to do (acting), has turned my life around. Not that life was bad. I just suddenly I realised I didn't give a toss what others thought of my output or ability, I was free to do what I wanted. (Improving my craft as well, one would hope). There is relief, wonder, joy, satisfaction, fun in having something to love, love, love, and do, guilt-free.

We are near the end of our KI Players little season and though Doris is still top billing in the Muse stakes, she's on the wane. I can hear the simmer and rattle of other Muse projects in the background. 

Doris has been good for the process. The Muse is not errant at all; she's alive and well doing her thing, and I'm so heartily glad she's bullied her way to the forefront. Low flying ducks, besides.