It’s Christmas Eve and we’re all at my parents place. That’s me, my big brother Alex, his wife Susan, my niece Carla and my Aunt Katy. Aunt Katy is my mom’s sister and she never married so my parents invite her over so she won’t be alone.

I threw some off my mound today. I have the best Dad in the world. He built that mound when I was just 11 years old. I’m 28 now. And he’s kept it up all these years.

And you should see our yard. All the trees have lights in them. And Dad also put lights around the edge of the roof and all the windows. And luminaria along the sidewalk. He put orange bulbs in those so they almost look like real candles.

Duke Caldwell is going down. I’m sure you’ve read the press release about it. About how he can’t hit a lick. He’s a better catcher than Viz, though. And you would think that would count for something.

Duke is also a fun guy. He’s the one who showed me around Hartford. All the good spots. Like Coach’s (well, I got in trouble there, so maybe that wasn’t so good). And City Steam. He’s a good guy to hang out with because he believes in partying in moderation. My thought on getting drunk is I drink the good stuff and that means I pay good money for it. Puking it back up is the same as throwing money away. Besides not being any fun. And Duke gets that because he’s the same way.

And his mom makes the best clam chowder I’ve ever had.

Duke Caldwell’s Mom’s Clam Chowder

ingredients
3 cans minced clams
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
2 cups diced potatoes
1 cup butter
3/4 cup flour
1 quart half-and-half
1 tsp. instant chicken bouillon granules
1/2 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled
Salt and pepper to taste
Bread bowls
Shredded cheese

Directions
Drain clams over vegetables in medium pot. Add water to cover vegetables. Cover and simmer on medium until potatoes are tender. In large pot melt butter; add flour and blend until smooth. Cook 1-2 minutes. Add half & half and continue to stir until smooth and thick. Pour vegetables into milk mixture. Add clams, bacon, and chicken bouillon. Simmer until ready to serve. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve in little hollowed out bread bowls, sprinkle with shredded cheese.

Sometimes what we do off the field is more important than what we do on the field. Peggy Hassen came to me and asked for my help with a project. She’s chairing a committee of players’ wives that’s raising money for Interval House here in Hartford. Interval House is a resource for victims of domestic violence and their children. They offer a 24-hour hot-line and operate a shelter where women and their children can stay.