COLUMN: Nicked nose

The past couple of years I've spent a great deal of time with a beard.

Every so often I would let it get a little too long and perhaps look more like a Grizzly Adams than a newspaper guy. It is just really convenient to have a beard. I don't have to worry about shaving in the morning and it means more time in my warm bed. I know there are a lot of morning people out there in the world, but I am not one of them. I literally time my morning routine so I can get in the shower, pet the cats, and leave. There is no time for shenanigans.

I started growing my last beard in January. By around th...