On Free Money

With no particular flair for money management, no accounting books that often see daylight, no schemes or scams, no fixed or clever plans, I stow any excess capital in the pockets of my jackets and coats at random and carry on, reliably forgetting this careless, habitual gesture, losing it altogether in the spritely current of the rest of life.

My little treasure is then liberated according to the weather and my color and fashion propensities, leaping back into the arena out of the past, a gift, a surprise.

I developed this concept as a child, using the available currency, which was Sunday morning bacon. Devious and quiet, I would take my portion from the table and secrete it in my bathrobe so that later on I could exploit it in the form of barter, or better yet I could waggle it in front of my patient sister and eat it loudly, haughtily, and with a hideous bratty pleasure well after hers was gone. This worked best if I remembered it the same day, naturally.

Hiding one's wealth, preferably in non-perishable tokens, gives chance a role to play. This method of banking keeps a person -- especially one who finds breadwinning a distraction -- released from the grim stockpiling of capital holdings, pure, innocent of reckonings. Found money is free.

Rights to the second primary source of loose money within the household usually go to the youngest member proven capable of the headfirst assault on the washing machine with its ready supply of small change. I commend these people and they can keep what they find without argument.

Once free money is recognized and officially designated, it is categorically not for temporal use. One must resist practical temptations. Such impulses are inappropriate.

This money is legitimate even though it is not, technically, earned. It is old, misplaced leftover cash from the oblivious past, therefore it has no serious obligations and no morality should be attached to it. It is crumpled most likely and it has no place in your wallet.

Life is moving on apace whether you have a good time living it or not. Just as death is the mother of beauty, free money is the mother of the two dollar luxury and Lime Mousse is an excellent way to spread your found fortune to your loved ones.

You will need six limes and a pint of real heavy cream as well as an early start. It has to chill.

In a heavy saucepan over a flame spreader and low heat, or in the top of a double boiler over simmering water, melt:

1 stick (4 oz.) unsalted butter

Beat together in a separate bowl until light and foamy:

5 eggs

1 C. sugar

Add this mixture to the butter, stirring constantly, and cook very gently until the mixture begins to thicken and coat the spoon as a custard will. Don't drift away; if the eggs scramble you will be unhappy.

Remove this mixture from the heat and stir in:

Grated zest of 3 limes

3/4 C. freshly squeezed lime juice (6 limes)

Allow this mixture to cool to room temperature. At this point you can put a bowl and beaters into the freezer to chill.

When the lime mixture is ready, whip into stiff peaks:

2 C. heavy cream

Make sure it is quite stiff. Now stir the lime custard into the cream very carefully remembering that mousse means foam and we want to keep those bubbles intact.

To serve, you can dole this out into eight or so wine glasses and chill until after your meal, or present it in one large bowl garnished with mint leaves or shaved chocolate or a plate of homemade brownies.

Such is the power and glory of free money.