Ammonites are large, purple fruits found in Eastern Europe with inner flesh which is formed in sections which grow in a characteristic spiral pattern. Usually the flesh is mild and sweet. Picked too soon and it is bitter. Ammonites are used in preserves, jellies, juices and a local specialty, blue goats milk pudding.
Goats are fond of the fruit, and must be staked a good distance from ammonite trees to prevent their milk from taking on a strange, bluish hue.
Source: Pikiwedia.calm
Saturday, July 31, 2010
A Nebula
Ammonites [Pron: am-on-night-ease] is an spiral nebula recently discovered in the sky in the neighborhood of Taurus by a middle school student. It is unremarkable.
Source: Pikiwedia.calm
Source: Pikiwedia.calm
Thursday, July 29, 2010
A Delicacy
Ammonites are a delicious bun made with poppy seed flour and goats milk, baked in a spiral shape. They are refreshingly fragrant, said to leave one almost lighthearted with joy. Originating in Eastern Europe, their popularity is now world-wide. Set aside an entire day to make these delicacies.
Ammonites
Oven 350 degrees, 35 minutes
4 cups poppy seed flour
1 cup goats milk
2 eggs
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon yeast + 1/2 cup water 110 degrees
1/2 cup poppy seeds
1 stick goats milk butter
Mix yeast with water and let it develop. Stir together salt and flour. Stir together goats milk and eggs. Stir yeast mixture into egg mixture and gradually stir in flour, mixing with hands. Form a ball of dough and let it rise until doubled. Knead; the dough will emit a faint squeaking sound. Let rise for one hour. Punch it down and knead until the squeaking resolves into a low moan of resignation. Let rise for one hour. Take small handfuls of dough and roll into 8" lengths. Coil into a spiral shape on a baking sheet. Brush buns with goats milk butter, sprinkle with poppy seeds, and bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until brown. Enjoy.
Source: Pikiwedia.calm
Ammonites
Oven 350 degrees, 35 minutes
4 cups poppy seed flour
1 cup goats milk
2 eggs
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon yeast + 1/2 cup water 110 degrees
1/2 cup poppy seeds
1 stick goats milk butter
Mix yeast with water and let it develop. Stir together salt and flour. Stir together goats milk and eggs. Stir yeast mixture into egg mixture and gradually stir in flour, mixing with hands. Form a ball of dough and let it rise until doubled. Knead; the dough will emit a faint squeaking sound. Let rise for one hour. Punch it down and knead until the squeaking resolves into a low moan of resignation. Let rise for one hour. Take small handfuls of dough and roll into 8" lengths. Coil into a spiral shape on a baking sheet. Brush buns with goats milk butter, sprinkle with poppy seeds, and bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until brown. Enjoy.
Source: Pikiwedia.calm
An Ancient Civilization
Ammonites were an ancient tribe of people living about 700 to 200 B.C.E. centered in what is now known as Eastern Europe. They are believed to have been related to the Picts and the Chavelles. Building their huts from clay and reeds, they built their villages in the form of a spiral shape. Their main contribution to civilization was their advanced husbandry of goats. They came to care for goats more than they cared for humans. Eventually, they elevated the station of goats to the degree that goats were kept within the huts, and the Ammonites slept out of doors in tents.
As a people, they mysteriously disappeared around the time of the Common Era. Some anthropologists believe this was due to the onslaught of viral infections, exacerbated by prolonged exposure. Others believe they were assimilated into neighboring tribes, who took pity on them and brought them in from the cold.
It is not know what became of the goats.
Source: Pikiwedia.calm
As a people, they mysteriously disappeared around the time of the Common Era. Some anthropologists believe this was due to the onslaught of viral infections, exacerbated by prolonged exposure. Others believe they were assimilated into neighboring tribes, who took pity on them and brought them in from the cold.
It is not know what became of the goats.
Source: Pikiwedia.calm
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
An Egyptian God
Represented in hieroglyphs between the reigns of Vacumen X and Telefon VIII, Ammonites [pron: Ammo-Nighties] was an ancient Egyptian God of Turbulent Weather. He was usually depicted with the head and hooves of a goat, holding a long wooden spoon or paddle in his hands. Legend goes that whenever trouble was brewing in the world of men, Ammonites stirred up the atmosphere with his wooden spoon, causing the clouds to whirl in a vast counterclockwise motion.
It is remarkable that, from the ground, the ancient Egyptians were able to perceive the circular and spiral motions of the clouds in enormous weather systems and storms.
Source: Pikiwedia.calm
It is remarkable that, from the ground, the ancient Egyptians were able to perceive the circular and spiral motions of the clouds in enormous weather systems and storms.
Source: Pikiwedia.calm
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Between Rock And A Hard Prayer
Years ago I attended a study on zikrullah, the remembrance of God, the symbolism in the Baha'i scriptures, and so on. I was so excited to hear one of the very familiar verses in the Long Healing Prayer in [I think?] Arabic. The verse goes,
Thou the Sufficing, Thou the Healing, Thou the Abiding, O Thou Abiding One.
The verse in Arabic was so rhythmic, to my heart it was beautiful.
Today I was a little weary and listened to selected contemplative tunes on my iPod to try to stay focused on prayers at Ethnic Fest. Again I sat behind the booth and off to the side, so as not to be noticed or associated with the booth [who's that weird, large redhead muttering to herself?]
In the afternoon the proprietor of the Walk Fitness booth across the way returned with her light aerobic "walking" routines, a microphone, and extremely loud, rhythmic music. "Who says that just walking is not a good workout! You can do this right where you are! I lost seventy-seven pounds on this routine! Anyone can do this at whatever level you are! Work those abs! Walk walk walk walkwah, kwaw kwaw qua, quacquack . . .
The music was loud and strident.* So I gave up the narrative prayers in my prayer book, gave up the iPod, and sat on the bench by the Baha'i booth to say prayers along with the rhythm of the music. No one passing could have known, as I said them in my head. [Okay, maybe my lips were moving, like in first grade.] It's better not to resist, but to join the flow.
If you ever need to do this, here's the secret:
Ant al kafi, vant al shafi, vant al baqi, ya baqi,
Ant al kafi, vant al shafi, vant al baqi, ya baqi.
Thou the Sufficing, Thou the Healing, Thou the Abiding, O Thou Abiding One . . .
Just call me the baqi lady.
* There's a pun in here.
Thou the Sufficing, Thou the Healing, Thou the Abiding, O Thou Abiding One.
The verse in Arabic was so rhythmic, to my heart it was beautiful.
Today I was a little weary and listened to selected contemplative tunes on my iPod to try to stay focused on prayers at Ethnic Fest. Again I sat behind the booth and off to the side, so as not to be noticed or associated with the booth [who's that weird, large redhead muttering to herself?]
In the afternoon the proprietor of the Walk Fitness booth across the way returned with her light aerobic "walking" routines, a microphone, and extremely loud, rhythmic music. "Who says that just walking is not a good workout! You can do this right where you are! I lost seventy-seven pounds on this routine! Anyone can do this at whatever level you are! Work those abs! Walk walk walk walkwah, kwaw kwaw qua, quacquack . . .
The music was loud and strident.* So I gave up the narrative prayers in my prayer book, gave up the iPod, and sat on the bench by the Baha'i booth to say prayers along with the rhythm of the music. No one passing could have known, as I said them in my head. [Okay, maybe my lips were moving, like in first grade.] It's better not to resist, but to join the flow.
If you ever need to do this, here's the secret:
Ant al kafi, vant al shafi, vant al baqi, ya baqi,
Ant al kafi, vant al shafi, vant al baqi, ya baqi.
Thou the Sufficing, Thou the Healing, Thou the Abiding, O Thou Abiding One . . .
Just call me the baqi lady.
* There's a pun in here.
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