Author Archives: Rich Freggiaro

California is the Bluest of Blue states. Democrats control all statewide elected offices, and have super majorities in both houses of the State Legislature. Any new tax can be imposed or new law passed without a single Republican vote. But there is one process that Democrats do not completely control: the ballot initiative. Citizens haveContinue reading “Word Play”

Stoker purchases almost everything from Amazon. So much so that the trucks are creating ruts in our gravel driveway. We occasionally have multiple deliveries in a single day. On one memorable occasion, there were two Amazon trucks in our driveway at the same time! Traffic is normally light on Brumby Road (cherry season excepted) butContinue reading “Selective Shoplifting”

As of yesterday, that is the decade of life I am beginning. 3 score and ten…thank you to everyone who offered me best wishes via text or Facebook. One very clever friend took pleasure in informing me that I am no longer a “sexagenarian”. Sir, a gentleman does not bandy the name of a woman.Continue reading “That 70’s Show”

…or how retail shopping is going to push me into therapy. First it was Costco. A couple of months back I was at the self service check out, since there was no line and I didn’t have any Veuve Clicquot in my cart. Self check out doesn’t permit alcoholic beverages. I scanned all my items,Continue reading “Retail Therapy…”

…is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. Rider B was not having a good day. His tubeless tire set up, normally so reliable, was causing problems. First he diagnosed a slow leak and added air with a mini pump. Then the slow leak became less slow, so at the Dustin RoadContinue reading “The Story You Are About to Read…”

When Lucia arrived on Brumby Road, Stoker decided to send a DNA sample off to find out what breed (or more likely, breeds) she was. We thought she might be a Lab mix, since she had the big head, smooth black coat and calm demeanor common to that breed. It turns out that Lucia isContinue reading “Basic Instinct”

Only a few people know this, but without Bennie there would never have been a Stoker. In 2005 Bennie had a tandem he wasn’t using, and he suggested I give it a try with Diane. We did, and after some very tense and uncertain early rides we found a new shared activity that became aContinue reading “A Benediction for Bennie”

This time it is about the original use of the phrase, at the grocery store. I’m old enough to remember when only paper bags were on offer. Some came with paper handles to make carrying them easier, but the handles had a very limited weight capacity and could break easily, scattering the goods all overContinue reading “‘Paper or Plastic’ Redux”

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. I’ve written before that when someone asks about my hobbies, I usually say cycling, chess and monogamy. I’m trying to be funny, and anyone who has seen me on a bike or playingContinue reading “Ain’t Misbehaving?”

Way back in 1993 I purchased 3 gold coins. I had a cash windfall and decided that was a good investment. I paid $350 each for the 1 ounce coins. Today the price of gold is $4228/ounce, so you might think it was a fantastic investment. Since the IRR function in Excel tells me IContinue reading “All That Glitters”