THE FATHER BLOG

I realize that St. Patrick’s Day is still a month away but it is certainly time to start prepping here at our house. We have had a big party for the past 20+ years and it just keeps getting better and better. It is without a doubt the day I look forward to most each year. Great food, great music, great friends and family, and definitely great whiskey!

Over the past several years of this event, I have made it a point to find a very nice or unique bottle of Irish whiskey that we all share a dram of during the party. Being a fan of the “Spot” whiskeys, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to make this year’s special purchase the 100th Anniversary, 10 year aged Green Spot. I definitely have my favorites of the Spot whiskeys but none of them have every disappointed.

So I found this bottle for purchase from England. It took a very interesting route to get from there to NJ while flying 3000 miles past me to California….but it eventually made it’s way to my bar after about 3 weeks. It will now rest comfortably among the other bottles until our party. Has anyone tried this one yet??

Today is Mardi Gras: Mardi Gras, French for “Fat Tuesday,” is the final day of Carnival celebrations occurring the day before Ash Wednesday. It signifies a last period of indulgence in rich, fatty foods and partying before the Christian fasting season of Lent begins. Known for parades, costumes, and beads, it marks a final celebration before 40 days of penance. 

When I think Mardi Gras, I think of New Orleans and all the amazing food and the wonderful people that I have met on my many visits there. I haven’t been back down in 2 years now so I think I may be due for another trip. But today is FAT TUESDAY so indulge this evening in some traditional NOLA dishes, have a beer or two, and enjoy!

Here are some pictures from my last trip when visiting with a couple of my hockey buddies.

Beautiful Jackson Square…love sipping a Cafe Du Monde on the benches there after gorging on beignets!

The alligator sausage at the Market Cafe on Decatur is ridiculously amazing

Char grilled oysters with a couple Hurricanes for sipping on

Blackened alligator at Mulate’s (one of my absolute favorites in NOLA) and an Abita Amber

Happy Mardi Gras 2026!

How often is this question asked? Probably quite a bit and is there really a true answer? Interestingly enough, you can truly ask ChatGPT anything. What do you think of their answer?

Here’s the most honest answer I can give:

The secret of life isn’t one thing. It’s alignment.

Alignment between:

• What you’re good at
• What you enjoy
• What you value
• How you spend your time

When those four line up, life feels meaningful.

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If I boil it down even further:

1️⃣ Growth

We’re wired to grow — physically, mentally, emotionally.
When we’re improving at something that matters to us, we feel alive.

2️⃣ Connection

Relationships matter more than achievements.
Family, teammates, friends — that’s where long-term happiness lives.

3️⃣ Contribution

Helping others. Competing with integrity. Being useful.
Humans feel best when they’re needed.

4️⃣ Presence

The ability to actually enjoy where you are — not constantly chasing the next level.

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If I had to reduce it to one sentence:

The secret of life is becoming who you’re capable of becoming — while loving the people around you well.

Well said, ChatGPT. Have a great weekend!