What is an "ETON MESS"?

  My first cousin Kate, a talented gardener and cook, today  posted a photo' of a dessert she had made.

 ETON MESS

I'd never before heard of it.

It's called an "Eton Mess" since it may (or may not) have been created at Eton College in Windsor, U.K.

In recent common parlance the Cabinet of the U.K. Premier Boris Johnson  is called an Eton Mess since many of the members are Old Etonians.  They are making a  mess of governance. 

Kate's Dessert reminded me of an American version called "AMBROSIA".

I have a story about Ambrosia. Of course I have a story about  Ambrosia!  If I didn't I'd make one up! This one is true.

In 1984 I moved to Pittsfield. MA to become the Rector of St. Stephen's Parish in that City.

For complicated reasons I spent my first year in a second floor rented apartment, rather than in a Church provided house.

A parishioner named Bea lived just across the street.  Bea, a widow, lived just across the Street.  Bea was (let me say) a bit different.

One night at about 11:30 p.m. my 'phone rang. I was in bed,  I imagined a pastoral emergency.

I picked up the 'phone. It was Bea.  "Father" she said in her somewhat quivery voice "it's Bea", "I've just made some Ambrosia, may I bring you some?

My response was terse.  "Bea, I said, "it's 11:30 at night and you want to bring me Ambrosia?"

Bea responded "I saw your light on so I called."

'Twas my hall light.

I told Bea that I always leaved a hall light on, and that  "I'll thank you never to call me this late unless it's an emergency".

I got Bea's Ambrosia the next day.  I've never eaten it since then.

Cousin Kate's ETON MESS looks very tempting!