Lovely Christmas Tree, happy skaters in downtown Syracuse

My friends and former co-workers threw a happy hour party last night, so I parked my car downtown and headed off on foot to meet my dear wife Karen. Everybody was gathering at a nice joint by the name of J. Ryan’s, to honor Michelle, who’s leaving the big daily at the end of this…

The snow story never ends in Syracuse

So at what point exactly does snow cease to be a story in my life here in Syracuse, N.Y.? When does the day come when another layer of the white stuff ceases to gain my attention? I’ve lived in Central New York for 30 years. I stare out the window and say, bring it on!…

It’s Monday morning, get cracking Da!

I may be having a hard time getting myself in full roar this Monday morning. Truth be known, I’ve got a bit of a stuffy nose situation going on. Nothing serious, mind you, but enough for me to put that question in the back of my mind: Are you going to get sick? Can’t. Big…

Ugly sweater shots from a really beautiful party

The Ugly Sweater (and shirt) Party went off without a blush yesterday. Our friends Kelly and Steve welcomed many cheery people wearing bad-looking holiday clothing to their splendid house in Liverpool. The house was decorated beautifully, inside and out, a beacon of holiday cheer in this large suburb of Syracuse. This is a family that…

A green rose bush and a white snow pile, together for a little while

Mother Nature gives us little reminders that she might be a little busy at these borders between the seasons. In my front garden in my Syracuse city neighborhood of Eastwood, there is a rose bush that just won’t give up. Everything else around it is as brown as the dirt in the garden. This bush,…

The winter season car wash has many believers

There are certain winter season days in Central New York where cars line up with a resolute purpose. No, not those panicked rushes to the supermarket to buy milk and bread when the forecast calls for a big snow. People know enough to keep cans in the cupboard and bottles in the fridge, in case…

Now that’s a big hole in your house

The neighbors across the street appear to be having a little work done on their house. Yesterday morning, that resulted in one humungous hole. In fact, it looked like the whole front wall was gone. Nice living room furniture you’ve got there. Smart to drape drop cloths over the couch like that. What a window…

So what’s the story inside this Alaska car in Syracuse, N.Y.?

As I pulled up to the red light and eased to a stop one block over from my house Sunday morning, the car right smack in front of me afforded a sight that I can call a first in my 30 years living in Syracuse, N.Y. The weathered Mercedes 3000 Turbo Diesel was adorned with…

A quiet holiday morning in the neighborhood, thank you

I would say happy Black Friday, but that’s one American holiday I don’t celebrate. In fact, this is one day that you definitely will not find me amid the bargain-hunting madness. Instead, I will share one more tale from a happy Thursday: It sure can be calm on a Thanksgiving morning, even in the middle…

Karen in Birdland

And why is this a Happy Thanksgiving? My wife dear wife Karen has just taken the turkey out of the oven. Enough said.

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Mark Bialczak

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