Power Porridge

With the Aston Martin parked in the driveway this Monday, some folks wondered whether 007 had arrived to offer Dana. It was better than that: more old friends who know The World is Not Enough, hungry like us to Live and Let Die.

Sadly, that’s also what happened to the horse mushroom I found and picked this week. A real hidden beauty: Fresh, white, harmless and wide, left to languish in the fridge, bereft of a daring cook. This morning I had to toss it over the back wall.

Not so, the left-over porridge. Anagarika David, as well as being a dab hand with a pen, also has imaginative green fingers that are currently fiddling it into a strange organic concoction. This is to be pasted on some stone walls down at the retreat house, where legend has it that the mosses will be magically drawn – a strange and esoteric practice.

…Somewhat like the recent kitchen clean-up, which does at least have potential for becoming more mainstream. Just now though, I’m content that we’ve cleared and sparkled the decks ready for the three cooks of the summer retreat (not without daring, these ones), who arrive for its beginning a week on Saturday.

Before then the following items would be gratefully received:

• fruit
• eggs
• honey

And down at the stores:

• wood for wood-burning stoves
• kitchen sponges

Thanks too but we have plenty of olive oil, toothbrushes and towels, instant coffee, tea bags, pasta, lentils, spices and juice

News in Brief

‘Minister for Food’s absence leaves kitchen power vacuum’
Mr Holt’s Dutch visit exposed underlying tension in kitchen government this week, as various members competed for culinary dominance. Sauces close to the dispute were unwilling to disclose further information, but assure constituents that a resolution is likely to be reached before the opening of Vassa on the 29th.

‘New cabinet appointments in Harnham re-shuffle’
In a recent ceremony at Chithurst Buddhist monastery, Samanera Nyanamoli gained full Bhikkhu status, beginning a five year training contract with HBM. The timing, which coincides with the temporary departure of Tan Hiriko, is not thought to indicate a shift in policy.
In the department of Thai affairs, the short-term loss of Ajahn Sawaeng is being felt as a heavy blow. Ajahn Go, in a sideways move from Santacittarama, is considered a safe replacement for the ‘summer’. Whilst David Greybe, recently appointed anagarika and former correspondent for South Africa’s Business Day, is the latest coup for the Press Office.

‘Sri Lankan dignitaries pay state visit’
Last weekends’ joint visit of Bhantes’ Seelagawesi and Dhammiko, was hailed as an outstanding example of international co-operation. With most of the resident community in attendance at Chithurst, observers nevertheless reported the accommodation and sustenance of more than 30 individuals, with frequent outbreaks of good-will.

‘Anti-smoking legislation fans the flames’
In the absence of community leaders, protesters gathered in the Dhamma hall vestibule last Sunday to object to the defacing of religious sites by anti-smoking extremists. New legislation, which came into force on July 1^st now requires all places of worship to display no-smoking signs.

‘Coffee imports reach all-time high’
Recent Italian imports mean the expanding Harnham market is now flooded. Elsewhere, the larder100index has shown steady growth, with only the following products demonstrating a marginal down-turn:

• lemons and limes
• green vegetables
• honey

Together with the following utilities:

• bottle brush
• wood for wood-burning stoves

National reserves include: toothbrushes and towels, instant coffee and tea, cakes and biscuits, juice and spices, lentils and pasta