Just realized that I didn’t publish this is real time. So you will see two blog entries in rapid succession that were actually written a year apart. Both focused on precious moments with family. Lots of colorful living in between each post. Looking forward to posting more stories this coming year.

Here’s the actual blog I wrote last year…

Wrapping up another year of colorful living…just in time for 2025. Looking forward to sharing more stories as soon as time permits. Stay tuned…first a look back at a memorable Christmas tradition.

2024.12.22 - Post-theater dinner at Max Downtown with Diana Rose and Matt. Dirty Martini’s all around

We’ve enjoyed so many happy times together as a family this year. As 2024 wraps up we toasted one particular family tradition…a post-theater dinner at Max’s Downtown in Hartford. Here I am with my daughter, Diana Rose, and husband, Matt. They had just come from “A Christmas Carol” at Hartord Stage Company. We gather here because it’s right around the corner. And we love this Hartford restaurant. The service is outstanding and the food is classic. We’ve been celebrating special moments with family and friends here since moving to the area in 2017. Our first followed Diana Rose’s premier a cappella concert as a Trinity Pipe, the oldest coed a capella group on campus. Another commemorated a dear friend’s admission to the Connecticut bar. It was also the prize for a bet made around the ending of Game of Throne’s. One of Diana’s fraternity brothers reaped the reward of a dinner on Matt.

Here’s a bit I added at the end of 2025…

We returned there just recently after another Christmas Carol. Diana Rose recommends the Bombay Sapphire Martinis - especially the “dirty” ones. I chose an Irish Coffee with my favorite, Jameson Whiskey. Whatever the reason or the cocktail, Max’s has been the place for many colorful memories. And it was a wonderful way to bid a fond farewell to 2024 and now 2025!