Things began accelerating precisely at 7:30 am this morning when after a night of rambling reflection I sprung from bed determined to begin the day. It was a half-hour later than usual but with some application I knew I could meet my eight o’clock deadline for the car wash. Nor was I far off the mark. It was 7:59 am when putting on my shoes after having showered, shaved and dressed. With the recent time change I am back to coping with the rising sun directly in my eyes as I head out in the car along Lighthouse Road to Plantation Drive past Lawton Stables and Sea Pines Forest Preserve to Greenwood Drive and then the roundabout.

It is now 9:09 am and I have finished eating the slices of crisp Granny apple and sharp cheddar cheese plus my bowl of steel cut oats with prunes.  There is still time for two spoonfuls of Teddie peanut butter! Today I am luxuriating in having a chilled double espresso coffee while listening to Bach No. 1 Sinfonia.  Could life possibly be any better!

My goal today is to relax by the pool, catching the rays and swimming. The routine of bicycling – as much as I adore it – is one I regret having to by-pass. But occasionally it is for the best.  Yesterday as I struggled off the beach near the end of my 15.11 km outing I avowed that I am an old fogey and should therefore learn to adopt a less exacting drill.  The swimming will nicely accommodate the imperative without descending into complete inertia. I want to get there by ten o’clock.  It has been several days since I have attended the pool.  My suspicion is that during this March-break cycle there are likely more people here.  While there are numerous lounge chairs by the pool the choice for sunbathing is proportionate to the lingering shade until the sun completes its own regiment to the west side of the pool compound. I know where to expect the preferred settings including the regular nearby chairs which I use to assist when getting up or down the lounge chair.

I won’t attempt to qualify this life of leisure and indulgence.  It is best attributed to chance. Comparisons are irrelevant for one thousand reasons.  All I can do is tolerate the fortuity and be thankful. I do however legitimize the idle hours by reckoning that ignorance of the bliss is distasteful. Why should it be that magnification of such pleasantry is anything but descriptive though admittedly poetic.  There are so many other things upon which one can focus; but why should they triumph over la vie en rose!

The lyrics of “La Vie en Rose” were written by Édith Piaf for music composed by Louiguy, and is registered with SACEM. It was probably Robert Chauvigny who completed the music. When Piaf suggested to Marguerite Monnot that she sing the piece, the latter rejected “that foolishness.” It was eventually Louiguy who accepted authorship of the music. The song was broadcast live before being recorded. Piaf offered the song to Marianne Michel, who modified the lyrics slightly, changing “les choses” (“things”) for “la vie” (“life”). In 1943, Piaf had performed at a nightclub/bordello called “La Vie en Rose.” Initially, Piaf’s peers and songwriting team did not think the song would be successful, finding it weaker than the rest of her repertoire. Heeding their advice, the singer put the song aside, only to change her mind the next year. It was performed live in concert for the first time in 1946. It became a favorite with audiences. “La Vie en rose” was the song that made Piaf internationally famous, its lyrics expressing the joy of finding true love and appealing to those who had endured the difficult period of World War II.