Last Saturday was Recital Day for my niece, Sarah. A devoted and talented dancer, she looks forward to this capstone day of her dance season all year long. This year, she performed in six dances throughout the four shows, tap, ballet, jazz and lyrical. Sarah also confidently donned her gold jacket for the finale of each performance. As I sat in the audience, I marveled over how amazing all of the kids are. From the cutest three-year old ballerina to the accomplished seventeen-year old tap dancer, they are all clearly inspired by the Muse, Terpsichore.

In Greek mythology, Terpsichore and her eight sisters, are the daughters of Mnemosyne and Zeus, who devote their lives to the arts. Terpsichore is the Muse of Dance. She is the patron of education and the harp, as well as dance. In art, she is often shown wearing a crown of laurels and carrying a harp. Children who are able to follow the call of the muse and explore their talents and creativity through the arts are fortunate, indeed.

In my novels, Terpsichore’s sister, Euterpe (Muse of Music), plays an important role in the lives of Darcy and Mary Seton (Forget-Me-Not) and Emma Butler (Sandra Cahill’s Best Friend). Darcy, a music teacher at a private school in Boston, plays the violin in a community orchestra. Centuries earlier, her ancestor, Mary Seton, spends much of her time pursuing her own interest in the arts, playing the lute for Queen Mary’s courtiers or sharing a quiet afternoon embroidering with the Queen. High school sophomore, Emma Butler, loves to listen to classical music and is an enthusiastic member of her school band. Her favorite piece is Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture.”

The brass section proceeded somberly through the opening bars, while the woodwinds counted. The tempo increased slightly and the flutes joined in, echoing musical phrases with the trumpets and trombones in a thrilling crescendo until the percussion brought the rising emotion to a thunderous conclusion in a resounding downbeat.

Scott was playing the timpani and he made his important entrance with admirable precision. I couldn’t keep myself from looking at Sam at that exact moment. Her eyes twinkled at me in shared delight . . .

Like Emma, I am a flute player, so I too feel connected to the muse, Euterpe and as a writer I am partial to Clio, the muse of history and writing.  Music, dance, writing and visual arts bring beauty and enjoyment into the lives of all who are compelled to follow the call of the muse.

In 1995, I traveled to Scotland to take a week-long writing course at the International Summer School at University of Edinburgh.  In addition to honing my creative writing skills, I did a lot of memorable sightseeing and discovered a delicious Scottish snack in the dining hall at the university.  Millionaire’s Shortbread!

Darcy and Ian indulge in a few squares of this satisfyingly sweet shortbread in my novel, Forget-Me-Not.

Darcy tucked her paperback into her bag as he returned to the table carrying a tray laden with two white crockery mugs and plates of chocolate-covered shortbread.

“I got you Earl Grey,” he said.

“Wonderful.”  She looked at him, her gaze drawn once again to his slate gray eyes.   The color reminded her of the ocean on a stormy day.

He took his seat and added copious spoonfuls of sugar to his coffee.  “The cookies are called millionaire’s shortbread.  Have you ever had it before?”

“I don’t think so.”  Darcy took a bite, closing her eyes as she savored the buttery sweetness.  “Is there caramel in it?”

“Uh huh.”  He took a generous mouthful, his eyes twinkling at her as he chewed and swallowed.  “It was my favorite thing in this tea room. Until today.” 

Like Darcy, I was delighted by the chocolate and caramel flavors mixed with the crunch of the buttery cookie.  Shortbread lovers can find a long list of recipes online for this popular U.K. treat.   I tried a recipe from Claire Robinson of the Food Network after she baked a tray of Millionaire’s Shortbread on her show 5-Ingredient Fix.  The cookies were easy to make and delicious – a little taste of Scotland at home.