Pardon me for intruding upon your world

For all my life, I’ve tried to explain away my minor road annoyances to bad drivers. The last few days, though, my true Grumpus has emerged. Enough, already. Perhaps it’s the cold. Maybe it’s winter. Could be the lack of daylight. I’m certain, however, it’s not my fault. Two days ago, I’m driving my dear…

I finally submit to ‘Gone with the Wind’

The first time I had the chance to watch “Gone with the Wind,” I turned up my nose. My memory of walking into the crowded student union lounge sticks with me still. I was in hot pursuit of a bigger TV and comfortable chair to watch some football game or another. My initial thought as…

Watching the Rose Parade opens a window to memories

The Tournament of Roses Parade is must-see TV in our house. My dear wife Karen loves watching because the Jan. 1 tradition was part of her life while growing up in Los Angeles. I love watching because Karen’s commentary is better than the crews of NBC and HGTV (commercial free!). And, oh, yeah, the floats…

I will call 2013 life-changing

I am quite ready to say goodbye to 2013. It was the year in which I was told I had to change my last name. No more would I be “Mark Bialczak of The Post-Standard.” And yet life went on. Bring on the New Year’s Eve tradition for my dear wife Karen and I. We…

A new furnace enters my life in a flash

And so we start our first morning in the era I shall call Furnace II here in our city neighborhood house in Syracuse, N.Y. Thank you for a hard-working life, No.1. You fell a half-year short of a full decade of warming me and my dear wife Karen. I can sincerely say that I will…