WHAT’S IN A NAME?

Nureyev and Fonteyn in the ballet "Romeo and Juliet"

Lee J. Cobb playing the pivotal role of Willy Loman in Arthur Miller's play -  "Death of a Salesman" 

“That which we call a rose by any other word would smell as sweet?”  That, my friends, is the question the ill-fated romantic Juliet asked of her mother in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”.  

As the story goes, in the first version of the well-known tragedy, which actually debuted in 1597, the word “word” wasn’t used. “Name” was, in fact, the word used, not “word”.  The word “word” replaced “name” in the 1599 second printing of the play.  

Are you confused yet?   Don’t be!   Does it really matter after 420 or 422 years?  It mattered not to Juliet, who was a Capulet (not a catapult), her beloved Romeo was a Montague.  For all she cared, he could’ve been a Sioux.  Juliet’s desire was for Romeo to be her beau.

Name calling has many facets.  Some names or words are spoken with good intentions; some are praiseworthy; others can be nasty and unnecessary; some are uttered after careful deliberation; others are made innocently in error; and some emanate from ignorance.

Before I entered this world my mother enjoyed the legendary movie “Gone with the Wind”; having also read Margaret Mitchell's masterpiece before the film made its appearance on the screen.   

Like millions of movie-goers she became a fan, not only of the film, but also of Vivien Leigh who played Scarlett, the vixen whose beguiling ways bewitched the handsome Rhett. 

No...Mum wasn’t going to call me “Scarlett” or “Rhett”.   (I was born decades before soon-to-be parents gained the advantage of learning the gender of their unborn child).  

Upon discovering I was a girl once I entered the scene, Mum named me after Vivien “Leigh”.   

However, subconsciously, the clerk at Rockhampton’s Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages was a fan of actor Lee. J. Cobb who was a fairly popular character actor, featuring in in many movies from the mid-Thirties forth; as well as starring in famed Broadway productions such as "Crime and Punishment", "Golden Boy", "Waiting for Lefty" etc.  

10 years following my debut, Lee J. Cobb gained deserved acclaim because of his role in the multi-award winning film, “On the Waterfront”.  Cobb played Marlon Brando’s nemesis - union boss “Johnny Friendly” in the exceptional movie.

At the Rockhampton Court House, on my birth certificate, the clerk , not a bright spark, erroneously wrote “Lee”.   

Henceforth, Lee I was named - not Cobb, Rhett, Scarlett, nor was my name spelt "Leigh".   

Personally, I prefer the “Lee”, spelling - I don’t mind me, either.  Although I do have my "moments" when I don't!   I've gotten to know me well...far better than anyone else has, or ever will.  

I’m glad the clerk made an orthographic error.  It’s a rare instance where incorrect spelling doesn’t annoy me. 

Over the years I’ve been called a variety of names’ some flattering; others quite the opposite.   

Fiddle-dee-dee! As long as I don’t call myself late for lunch - frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn!

Last week I was called a name, which made my heart soar. (Correct spelling...”soar” as in “ascend like a rocket”...not “sore” as in pain, hurting).   

A dear friend – someone I’ve known since I was a wee child aged three and a half years; a confidante about whom I’ve previously written - called me her “Forever Friend”.   

No words are necessary for her and me to know we’ll always have each other’s back.   

With our matching sense of lunacy, for years we’ve referred to each other as “my Second Best Friend” – an acknowledgment we nicked from the 60s very popular Australian TV satirical sketch comedy show - “The Mavis Bramston Show”.

Having overnight dwelt on my elevation in the ranks, the following morning I phoned my friend to give her thanks for my heightened position from being her “Second Best Friend” to “Forever Friend”. 

I suggested a badge could be in order as recognition of my advancement.  I might have pushed my luck a little...

Spelt Bread: Combine 4c wholemeal spelt flour, 1tbs active dry yeast, 3tbs x-virgin olive oil, 1-1/2tsp salt and 1tbs coconut sugar in bowl; slowly add in approx 1-1/4c water, a bit at a time until a dough consistency forms.  If it gets too sloppy, just add some more flour until dough becomes easy to knead. The amount of water differs depending on how coarse the spelt four is. Knead about 5mins. Cover with tea towel; rest 20mins. The dough should rise to about double in size. Transfer into lightly greased loaf tin; or form into round shape, and place in a heavy round dish like a Dutch oven.  Lightly brush top with milk; sprinkle with seeds of choice; make a cross shape with knife. Bake 1 hour at 200 C.  Bake the first 30mins covered; remove cover for last 30mins, so the seeds don't burn.  

Grilled Corn on the Cob: Submerge 6 husked corn cobs in water 20-30mins. Remove corn, dry with paper towels; individually wrap cobs in foil. Place on a hot grill, on indirect heat; cover. Turn as needed; cook until tender on all sides, 20-25mins.. Remove corn from foil; place on direct heat to create char marks. Turn quickly to avoid burning. Once charred on all sides, place on serving platter. Brush with butter/garlic butter; season with salt, pepper and chilli powder; sprinkle with juice of 2 limes and crumbled goat cheese.  

Scarlet Muffins: Preheat oven 180C. Line a 12-hole muffin tin with baking paper. Rinse 1c un-cooked quinoa. Bring it to boil in 2c water. Cover, reduce heat; simmer 10mins. Turn off heat; leave covered on stove, for 10mins. Fluff with a fork; cool.  Blend 1/3c coconut milk, 4 eggs and seeds of 1 vanilla bean, or 1tsp vanilla essence in blender. Add 2-1/3c quinoa, 3/4c melted butter, 3/4c grated raw beetroot, 1c coconut sugar, ½ tsp salt, 1-1/2tsp baking powder, 1/2tsp baking soda and 1c cacao powder. Blend until combined. Bake 30-35mins. Place a piece of baking paper over the top of the tray if they brown too soon. Remove from oven; cool in pan before turning out onto a wire rack.