Hirsute or Not Hirsute

[Piper]

I've been bearded, most of the time, since 1975. I burned it off once, early on (long story, and of course alcohol was involved) then grew it back. A few years later I had to shave for work related reasons. By that time most folks were used to seeing me with facial hair. Once my chin was shaved (kept the mustache) I had some people look at me, puzzle a bit, and then ask, "Have you lost weight?". My answer was, "Yeah, probably and ounce or so.". As soon as I could, I grew it back, and have kept it since, although it's far more white than red these days