I found this place by accident. Or did it find me? A few years ago, at a cookout in Greenfield, a friend suggested I try out an old motorcycle of his. I objected saying I didn’t know how to work the gears but he said “squeeze the clutch, tap the pedal down to shift ahead, tap the pedal up to downshift; it’s that simple. Have fun and don’t worry!” So I went out for a ride and, with a minimum of stall-outs, pretty quickly got the hang of it. In fact – much to my surprise – I enjoyed it so much that I started keeping an eye out for those “end of the driveway specials” that are so common in the area. Before too long I was the proud owner of a twenty-five-year-old Honda Nighthawk motorcycle. I learned that the country roads of Saratoga and Washington Counties are a gift from heaven: they’re well maintained and lightly traveled, and they offer spectacular views not to die for. (Learning to safely operate a motorcycle, I realized, made me a mu...
I am helping my island neighbor George train Magnetar... ...a three year old Standardbred stallion. Getting ready: the "horse-human" bond is a boink this morning! George has taken the unusual step of waiting until he’s three to begin training. “Maggie the Monster” is a HUGE and “gently explosive” animal with superb bloodlines. inside the barn George has invested three years (I remember the day he was born) in nurturing his character and physical health to get him to a level of emotional maturity and physical growth that most trainers are too impatient to develop. George’s belief is the combo of genetics, TLC, and now training with regularity and discipline and love will bring out the best in him. I admire that view, and marvel at his progress. Yesterday at sunset: tuning championship conformation after "the work": yes, he steams In his career, so far, George has had two million-dollar-plus winners who have ...