ROLL OVER BEETHOVEN...

Franquin surrounded by his fans

Krupa in full fllght

Rodney on the drums

"The Starbrites"....the band in which Rodney was the drummer

Beautiful though it is, I don’t need to be lulled into unconsciousness by the gentle sounds of your famous “Moonlight Sonata”, Ludwig; then again perhaps I do.   

While making a cup of coffee a moment ago, I knocked the mug with my elbow. Of course, the coffee went off course, going everywhere except where it was meant to go; not a good way to start the day. Uttering an appropriate word or three towards my wayward elbow, my upturned coffee mug and innocent coffee machine to express my annoyance, I mopped up the mess. 

The words helped...Remy and Shama didn’t.  As always they both opened an eye, shrugged their shoulders in unison, and then promptly went back to sleep.

Following my practice run at coffee making, I repeated the exercise minus the coffee spilling, and minus the expressive words.  Once more calm settled over the place as peace descended. 

That is, of course, until milk boiled over on the stove.  The telephone rang.  It was a call coming all the way from The Philippines or somewhere similar, from a long-lost relative who was never on the family tree in the first place; wrong tree; wrong family. The caller rang in the hope of becoming a beneficiary of my non-existent spare funds.   

I gave her short-shift; and not only because the milk was boiling over!  I was about to tell her to call Nigeria, but I had to fly post haste to the stove.  I didn’t cry over spilled milk, though.  It saved me from revealing my true feelings to the caller.  She was let off lightly....this time.  I deserve a commendation for the controlled restraint I employed.

I’ve told few others the following story.  To my own surprise, here I am, rolling over, relating it to the world. Maybe it’s my “Go tell it on the mountain” moment.

After you’ve read the following, please divulge the details to no one. Virtually tear this up, put it in your mouth; chew, and then swallow.  It’s just a passing tale.

When my late brother, Graham and I were kids our Nana took us to see the then highly-acclaimed, entertaining stage hypnotist “Franquin”.  The debonair Franquin, born in 1914, in Christchurch, New Zealand came across The Ditch to settle in this country in the 1950.

Franquin achieved fame in Australia and overseas throughout the Fifties before retiring to Queensland in 1968. It was the first, and probably only time, the renowned hypnotist performed his craft at a Gympie venue.

I was a fairly shy child -some would say that is difficult to believe, I know – I also know me better than anyone else knows me.  However, on that night, to everyone’s amazement, including my own, when the mighty Franquin asked for volunteers, before Nana had time to stop me, up to the stage I scampered without a backward glance; no egging on needed.  

Once under Franquin’s spell, I belted out a silent rhythm on an invisible drum set. Keeping with the beat, others in the makeshift band played their instruments of choice.

I’ve mentioned previously I love drums.  I’ve always loved drums. As a child I had a glossy, black and white photo of the legendary Gene Krupa on my bedroom wall.  

My first massive crush - on a "real" person...not a film or music star - crushed down on me at the tender age of 15.  At the time, I was still a high school student when the crush hit with a bang – and it lasted for a few years.  

The object of my affection and admiration, from afar, was on a young man...a very handsome young man with thick black hair and eyes like Tony Curtis.  Rodney was his name.  Rodney was not only handsome, but he was also a brilliant drummer.  Every time I saw him and when I heard him play the drums, he may not have missed the beat, but my heart certainly did!  

(Just this past week an old friend of mine sent me two CDS she'd burned.  One is a solo drumming performance by Rodney...and the other is of the band in which he was a member back in the early to mid-Sixties - "The Starbrites".   The CDs remind what a brilliant drummer Rodney really was.  And, I don't say this lightly.  Tears filled my eyes and overflowed when I've played them - I' ve played them often since receipt.  I've never denied I'm a softie at heart...and, I'm not ashamed to admit to being so. Of late my emotions have been pretty raw...in more ways than one! Both CDs are reminders of a wonderful time in my life.  Sadly, Rodney passed away in 2002.  Only one member of "The Starbrites" is still alive... he and I are in regular email contact).

Apparently, from my display on the stage of the Soldiers’ Hall in Gympie when I was around the age of 11 years, even under hypnosis I loved drums; a love so true, so real - subconscious and conscious.

On that fateful evening Franquin put us innocents who dared set foot on the stage in a coma with Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” playing in the background.  It was also the melody we heard upon waking. 

I might still be vulnerable.  Slightly nervous, I’m always fearful one day it’ll be background music when I’m out and about.  If I’m spotted waving my hands, arms and head around in an out of control manner when walking along our local supermarket aisles, I hope the other shoppers ignore me. 

I won’t be choking, nor will I be having a fit.  “Moonlight Sonata” most likely will be playing through the store’s system, and I’ve succumbed to the spell once again.

I’ll come out of it...eventually...

Kumara-Feta Rolls: Cut 1kg kumara into 2cm pieces; finely chop 1 onion. Bake separately on lined trays at 180C, 30-40mins until softened; cool. Roast 1/2c walnuts, 5mins; cool; chop. Increase oven to 200C. Lightly crush kumara; add onion, 200g crumbled feta, walnuts, 1/2tsp finely chopped rosemary and pinch of cinnamon. Using 2 sheets just thawed puff pastry, cut sheets in half. Place ¼ of mix in log shape along one long edge; brush opposite edge with lightly beaten egg; roll up to enclose; cut each roll into 3 pieces; place seam-side down on trays; repeat process. Brush pastry with egg; sprinkle with sesame seeds; bake 25-30mins. Serve with garlic yoghurt and/or chilli sauce.

Avocado-Bacon Egg Rolls: Slice 2 large avocados; drizzle with lime/lemon juice; sprinkle with salt. Heat 5cm oil in  pan. Place 1tbs flour in bowl; add water to make watery paste.  Using 12-14 egg roll wrappers, place 1 wrapper on work surface; with one corner pointing towards you, form a diamond; lay ½ a slice of mild cheese in middle; lay 1 slice of avo on top; then 1 slice of cooked bacon; add another avo slice. Fold wrapper over stack; tightly roll up egg roll nearly all the way; dab a bit of flour mixture on corner at top to seal; repeat. Cook in hot oil until golden; drain; serve with dip of choice.

Sweet Sicilian Rolls: Mix 270g flour with 2tbs sugar, 2tsp cocoa and 1 egg; mix by hand. Add 55g softened butter and a little sweet white wine. Knead until a workable dough. Wrap in foil; chill 2hrs. Dust bench with flour; roll out dough. Using a cookie cutter cut out circles in the dough. Brush circles edges with beaten egg white; wrap each circle around a metal cylinder-shaped object brushed with oil. Fry rolls in hot oil until dough is crispy. Or bake at 175C for 15-20mins. Put rolls on a kitchen paper; carefully remove cylinders. Cream: Finely chop 110g candied fruits. Grate 110g cooking chocolate. Beat 455g ricotta or cottage cheese and 270g icing sugar; add candied fruits and chocolate. Put into pastry bag; fill rolls. Decorate with candied orange peels.