The Celts tumbled to the Lost Angeles Lakers last night, ending the C's 19-game wining streak. Humbug! I watched the debauchery after polishing off mouth-melting beef tenderloin w/ a side of Yorkshire pudding and baked tomatoes stuffed w/peas. Wish the game went down as easily. That guy Gasol is one ugly mother. Game after game, heavy meal after meal, both the wining and eating streak has come to an end. But the day after Christmas, falling on a Fri., begs the question, why stop now? Shouldn't we party like heathens into the New Year? I for one have not had my fill of those powdery white cookies, cheesy, creamy dips and stuffed mushrooms. To say nothing of heart-warming, big -bodied reds.

Let’s keep the cheer flowing.

No place is more cheerful this time of year than the Owl Diner on Appleton St. I stopped in the historic ham house Christmas Eve around 11 a.m. and the place was brimming w/coffee, eggs and community. Made me proud to say I’m a Lowellian, which I am not, but wanted to be one in the worst way at that moment. What am I talking about? The ham. Chef Rusty is so skilled on the grill, he brings the lowly term "short-order cook" to epic heights. Wielding a spatula like a painter does a brush, he tapped sunny side eggs this way and that as they slid like silk on the hot surface. Ummmm ...ahhhhh ... ham is a big deal here. They go through 20 a week, not for nothing. After it’s baked to a golden crisp, it's sliced thick and grilled to a browned perfection. An order of ham and eggs here will keep you going this winter. It got me all the way to Hartford in the shizzle and drizzle.

Subway on Merrimack St. in Lowell is not closing, just remodeling and (we think) expanding into the vacant space next-door, where Gary's Ice Cream once stood. Subway, like Dunkin' Donuts, is making an attempt to modernize their stores so more diners will dine in, instead of grabbing a tuna grinder to go. Would you?