Monthly Archives: October 2003

Rats! I’m just beginning to get the hang of this and it’s time to end. You know, and it’s too bad too, because I was just going to spill a lot of secrets and tell inappropriate stories about everyone.

Thank you all, the Followers of Faustus, for your kind attention. And thank you too Faustus for this initiation into the world of blogging.

All right. I guess it’s time.

Oh, did I remember to tell you about what my …

oh right it’s time. Could I get some phone time over the weekend?

What do you mean I’m being clingy? Don’t make me go. No please.
I DON’T WANT TO GO!!!!

ok, BYE!

Bye! Thank you.

No really, I mean it. Thank you. It’s really meant a lot to me. Thanks.

Bye. I’ll see you next week.

Oh. Right. I won’t see you, this is our last session.

Well ok then.

Bye.

Thanks. Can I call you?

OK then. Bye.

Bye.

bye…..

To go with the new couch Herr Doktor (who has been excitedly guest blogging for Faustus) cleaned a closet today, and into the night.

This was the closet with the interesting stuff. The photo trunk. The scrap-book trunk. Presents bought but never given.

Evidence of lives long gone. My lives. The lives of friends and family. Papers from birthdays and papers with obituaries.

Circus capes, revolutionary war jackets, ceremonial swords, saxophones, trumpets, judo gis, dry suits, bells, a big box of audio cassettes, extra wine glasses, drums, ribbons, bows and wrapping paper.

Here’s to the ghosts!

Herr Doktor has got a new couch. To be delivered in 4 to 6 weeks of course. But for himself to lie on.

If I talk to myself on the couch does that make me crazy? If I do it long enough do I get sane?

Herr Doktor: So, self, what made you wait so long to replace the old couch?

Self: It was still good!

HD: That’s ridiculous. It was threadbare and smelly.

Self: Don’t say that! I liked that couch. It went through a lot with me.

HD: A lot of you went through it. A lot of a lot of things went through it. It was old and smelly.

Self: Yeah! That’s right. I got laid on that couch, it has good proportions. I recovered from surgery on that couch, I watched hundreds of movies on that couch. I feel attached to it, leave me alone.

HD: Some magic will go out of your life when it goes?

Self: Fuck you. Why do you have to have some lesson for everything? Why do you have to take everything so seriously?

HD: This work is about you, not me.

Self: WHAT?!?

Today, this is my mood:

To a frog that’s never left his pond the ocean seems like a gamble. Look what he’s giving up: security, mastery of his world, recognition! The ocean frog just shakes his head. “I can’t really explain what it’s like where I live, but someday I’ll take you there.”

If you want what visible reality
can give, you’re an employee.

If you want the unseen world,
you’re not living your truth.

Both wishes are foolish,
but you’ll be forgiven for forgetting
that what you really want is
love’s confusing joy.

Gamble everything for love,
if you’re a true human being.

If not, leave
this gathering.

Half-heartedness doesn’t reach
into majesty. You set out
to find God, but you keep
stopping for long periods
at mean-spirited roadhouses.

In a boat down a fast-running creek,
it feels like trees on the bank
are rushing by. What seems

to be changing around us
is rather the speed of our craft
leaving this world.

Rumi

Well, well, well. What an interesting world this is. Old hair, as my friends call me, is learning alot. At least they tell me they are my friends. Hmmmm…

I am so grateful to Faustus for his hospitality.

And in the end I am who, what I am and you are free to react.

And, I admit Herr Doktor doesn’t like being called tiresome or turning off Faustus’ readers. It makes my tummy feel funny.

So: my first entry was more true than it (but not I, I think) admitted. My second was something of a cop-out (not much risk) but the food is good.

I think this is fun.

Ahem, Ahem. The good Herr Doktor (me, not Faustus who is away) is feeling alot better after a nice glass of warm milk and solace from someone claiming to be his mommy. Anyway I want to reveal a more nurturing side and share with you my two favorite Pumpkin Soup recipes. One is a traditional French farm recipe the other is the my own variation on Japanese miso soup.

Soupe de courge
for 6-8

1 6-8 pound pumpkin
1 cup toasted croutons (make these from day old baguette)
4 ounces grated gruyere cheese
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
2 to 3 quarts milk (or cream if you want)

Cooking Method:
preheat the oven to 425F
Cut a lid in the top of the pumpkin that will not fall in while cooking. Do this by cutting the lid at an agnle, large at the top and narrower at the bottom. Scoop out all the seeds and goop. Put alternating layers of croutons and cheese in the pumpkin. Add the salt and pepper and fill to 3/4 full with the milk. Place on a baking pan and bake until the pumpkin is just tender, about 2 hours.
To serve, present the pumpkin tureen at table. With a big spoon, scoop out the pumpkin meat into the soup. Serve with a green salad and red or white wine.

Pumpkin Miso Soup
serves 4

3 1/2 cups Dashi (stock) (recipe follows)
3 tablespoons red miso
2 tablespoons yellow or white miso
1 block silken tofu
1 small pumpkin (about 2 or 3 pounds)
1/2 cup rehydrated wakame
2 small scallions, sliced into thin rounds

Cooking Method:

Using a melon baller, make the tofu into balls and set aside. Again, make about one cup of pumpkin balls. Steam these for 4 to 5 minutes until just tender. Set aside

Heat the Dashi over medium low heat. Place the miso in a small bowl and dilute with some of the stock. Stir the diluted miso into the stock. DO NOT BOIL as this will ruin the flavor of the miso. Add the tofu, wakame, scallions and the steamed pumpkin balls. Simmer until hot.
Serve with hot sake.

Dashi

1 piece of dried kelp
4 cups spring water
1/2 cup dried bonito flakes.

Wipe the kelp with a damp towel, make three slits in it. Place the water and the kelp in a saucepan and heat over medium low. Bring the water slowly to a simmer allowing 8 to 10 minutes. Just when the water begins to bubble remove the kelp. Allow the water to come to a boil. Take off the heat and add the bonito flakes. Let sit for 3 or 4 minutes and strain through a fine strainer.