BBRiley

Wine Time

As I have said in the past, I’m not a wine guy. I have tried wine but never really attained a taste for the fermented juice of the grape. That doesn’t make me a bad guy, does it? At times, I feel like a “red-headed stepchild” when my wife and I go out to dinnerContinue reading “Wine Time”

A Taxing Time

It’s tax time again. While we pay taxes all year without knowing, with April 15th quickly approaching, tax time makes us realize how much we pay in taxes. Unlike many of my fellow citizens, I understand why we pay taxes and accept them as a part of life. It doesn’t mean I like it, butContinue reading “A Taxing Time”

Please Enter Password Here

I’ve never been good at keeping secrets. This is why when I entered the Army, they chose to make me a dental assistant instead of placing me in Army Intelligence (I can hear all of you saying that’s an oxymoron, and you would be correct.) Yes, the Army, the home for all those dog-face infantryContinue reading “Please Enter Password Here”

Bear Down

As many of you know, I’m a huge Chicago Bears fan. I have been one since I was a little boy. I still remember the Bears winning the NFL Championship in 1963 under founder/coach George “Papa Bear” George Halas. I was enthralled by legendary announcer Jack Brickhouse, with his color man, Irv Kupcinet, calling theContinue reading “Bear Down”

Rain, Rain Go Away

I am writing this morning from northern Wisconsin. Since both of my readers know that I live in Southern California, they want to know why the hell I would be on the frozen tundra behind the cheddar curtain at the beginning of February. Could I have lost my mind? My wife might agree with youContinue reading “Rain, Rain Go Away”

Silver Rush

This past weekend, I attended an extravagant awards banquet staged by the magazine I write for. It was an awards ceremony to recognize the “Best Of” for the region it serves. To my disappointment, I did not win any of those awards. I was stunned. I’m sure I’m ”Best Of” something. That reader that justContinue reading “Silver Rush”

Do Ya Feel Lucky Punk? Well, Do Ya?

Today’s headline for our column comes from the famous Clint Eastwood movie Dirty Harry. Eastwood utters the line after about five minutes of gunfire and mayhem. One of the bad guys lies wounded in a doorway when the lead, Harry Callahan, asks him that famous line on whether he still has any bullets left inContinue reading “Do Ya Feel Lucky Punk? Well, Do Ya?”

Ship Shape

My wife and I enjoyed a Mexican Rivera cruise for the New Year’s holiday. I might have enjoyed it even more if the ship’s Captain had not wanted to party and asked me to drive the cruise ship on New Year’s Eve. Hey, I was able to blow the horn at midnight. I did getContinue reading “Ship Shape”

Seasoned Greetings

It’s that time of year again when I use the holidays as an excuse for writing a short column and then going on an extended vacation. For all of those cheering, I know who you are. Like everyone else, my wife and I are getting prepared to welcome family and friends to our home andContinue reading “Seasoned Greetings”

Wine Drinkers vs. Beer Drinkers

Wine is quite the rage at the moment. I’m not sure which generation started this trend. Is it the Greatest Generation, Baby Boomers, Millennials, Gen Z or whatever nickname we give to the next group of young people as they start to breach middle age. I don’t think it could be from my generation, theContinue reading “Wine Drinkers vs. Beer Drinkers”