Ike Eisenhower

Long before Ike was President Eisenhower, he was a General in WW2.

Long before my Uncle Earl was an Episcopalian Bishop, he was a WW2
chaplain, and Earl and Ike played bridge together, during The Great War.

During one bridge game in particular, Ike gave Earl the Eisenhower
family Eggnog recipe, which will knock your socks off.

Earl was conservative in his early years, perhaps much more so than
his bridge buddy, General Eisenhower.

Years later, our family reunions were colorful because of Earl and
my mother, Kitty Loving Shenk.

No one in the family ever questioned a word or an opinion Earl
had because he was a Bishop.

Everyone but Kitty, that is.

Her politics were 180 degrees removed from my uncle's.

A few years ago, I received a tape of Kitty and Earl debating
at a family reunion about the Vietnam War.

Both of them had passed on years before we heard the banter on the
tape, bringing back larger than life memories of these two eccentric
characters going at it.

Kitty had just risen from a nap when she entered the room where
Earl was apparently waiting for her.

He asked a few times, "Where is Kitty?" and someone mentioned she would
be joining the party soon.

He got right into it the moment she showed up.

He mentioned a few of the Generals of the War and said that they were
helping America win the war.

Kitty was relaxed after her nap.

"Oh Earl, don't be rediculous. The war will never be won, and you know it!!

"If everyone decided they weren't going to fight in any wars, then that
would put an end to the God Forsaken Military.

"We'd be forced to creatively come up with peaceful solutions to all ofour problems."

Earl was fuming.

"Kitty, you don't know what you're talking about." he said, and not the first
time he ever said those words.

"Oh yes I do, you know I do, Earl Honaman!!"

When Earl and Kitty grew much older, they would sit together and hold hands,
like the old friends that they were. They dropped the arguments and
debates and would talk of spiritual matters such as meditation, prayer
and the after-life.

All of those discussions and bantering were just an act. Kitty and Earl
made a show of their arguments for the purpose of pure entertainment.

What a revelation!! As a child, I thought they were really going to kill
each other!!

Kitty was the one who got the eggnog recipe from Earl.

A few days ago, I asked Earl's son if he ever tried the eggnog.

He didn't know what I was talking about!!

So we can thank my mother, Kitty Loving Shenk, for saving this
recipe from obscurity!!

Think of Earl, Ike and Kitty as you drink it: and do not drive, even after
one glass of this potent mixture.

And perhaps a political debate will sneak up on you!

Eisenhower Family Recipe

6 eggs, separated
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups cognac brandy
1/2 cup Rum
4 cups milk
4 cups heavy cream
nutmeg

Beat egg yolks until very light, and add granulated sugar and continue
beating until well blended; slowly add brandy and rum, then the milk and cream.
Beat egg whites until stiff; fold into egg yolk/brandy mixture.

Sprinkle nutmeg over each glass.