Dear Internet,

I’m on a mission. It’s political. It’s messy. It possibly involves the purchase of two or three large inflatable toys. I cannot discuss it here, for reasons of neighborhood and possibly national security, but if you live in Portland, Ore., and are a musician, artist, gardener, or just a person who wants to get involved, e me and we’ll talk.

Vague enough? Intriguing enough? Also I think I’m going to need help from both the No War Drum Corps and the Nation of Islam on this one.

Ciao,

WM

PS — How about some recipes? With all this political organizing, we have little time for cooking around here. Thus, three fast ones…

STIR-FRY MARINADE

1 cup peanut butter
2 tablespoons lemon juice
4 cloves crushed garlic
2 tablespoons soy sauce (adjust to taste)
1 tablespoon dried red hot chili peppers

Marinate chicken, beef or tofu in sauce, then cook in hot wok with vegetables.

Serve over rice or noodles.

ANOTHER STIR-FRY MARINADE

1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup brown sugar
4 cloves crushed garlic
1 teaspoon grated or powdered ginger

Mix, marinate chicken, beef or tofu in sauce, then cook in hot wok with vegetables.

CRISP COCONUT COOKIES

(This one is from my Grandma, who loves a good fight — political, religious or any other kind.)

1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup coconut
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Mix ingredients, rolls into balls and flatten with a glass dipped into flour. (Add a little milk if dough is too dry.) Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until lightly browned.