page 117, The Man Who Loved Books Too Much by Allison Hoover Bartlett
for today, the word is "investment".
drove outside toronto today to take in the beautiful weather and see the countryside. i'd been telling partner that i miss the country and would like to take photos of the changing colours. we came upon this ranch for horses that are used for harness racing, in the town of erin about northwest of toronto. two of the 'investments' are on the farther part of the grazing grounds, and the breeders are in the foreground.
partner is a harness racing afficionado and he can spot the good horses from about a gazillion miles. he was quite taken by the horse on the far right and had asked me to take solo shots. the horses moved quite a lot, and the white mare was even eyeing me all the while that i was taking photos.
racing horses costs a fortune and there's big money in it if you raise a winner. of course it all depends on the breed, the trainer and the driver (for harness racing) or the jockey (for standard bred).
in the early 1990's when partner and i were initially dating, he'd bring me to the races at woodbine or we'd drive down to meadowlands. there was a horse i'd always bet on unbeknownst to him. the horse was named "no sex please" and once he told me the horse had a bad losing record (is there a good losing record anyway?). i bet on it just the same and i won about a hundred dollars. that was the only win i ever had because i never bet again. i don't like gambling, i don't like losing my money.
Beautiful shot of these lovely "investments!" The whole composition is beautiful. The color is great as well as the clarity. That white one is really watching you. Loved the comment on this!!
@jannkc - thanks, jann. would have been more relaxing if i didn't have to jump over dried thistles and whatever (i was wearing a dress!) to get near the fencing to take the shots. and then i have the 'director' telling me what to do. hahaha!
@sanera - the scenery going north was really lovely. thanks, sam.
@bkbinthecity - allergic though i am, i think that horses are the most beautiful creatures. thanks, bkb.
@karenann - looking at it again this morning, it is quite a lovely shot. i'd have loved for the sky to be bluer but there were a thin layer of clouds on that part whereas just above me it was clear blue. i suppose we cannot always have the shot we want, eh. thanks, karenann.
@altadc - 'no sex please' was a beautiful horse, would lead the pack then fade off to third place at the end of the race. hahaha. thanks, alta.
really nice shot of the horses. they say either are or are not a horse person. plain and simple - but, harness racing/horse racing is very addicting. my standard bred's name was whitney's puppy, at 17.3 hands was thought to be too big to handle the turns. she never broke pace, though. we rode her and it was like sitting in a rocking chair, flying. has your partner heard of charlie day?
These could be my words don't like gambling, i don't like losing my money"great shot...didn't get a lion moon silhouette shot but got some other beauties
@catsmeowb - thanks, camille. betting on horses is never my cup of tea or any kind of betting. we grew up so poor we can't even waste a cent for betting. this is why i do not understand the neighbours' children or even some parents who are so poor and yet become addicted to anything. i mean where do they get the money to feed their addiction, whatever it is. the one time i went with my friend to las vegas, i set aside $20 for the slots and that was it. i had to stretch that money for the three nights we were there. i almost got sick because i didn't win. :-)
great shot friend, love the country style feel. I agree with the gambling thing, I hate to part with my money in such a futile way. As for the slot machines, I'd rather stick glass up my fingernails! lol
@pamfromcalgary - thanks, pam. the horse is one of the sore spots in my partnership. the thing is the partner just loves sports. hockey, baseball, football, basketball. the only sports i can be passionate about is olympic sports, which occurs every other year or so. after that, it's done and over with. this one here talks about sports even at 3 in the morning. ugh!
@danig - i wouldn't stick glass up my fingernails, because that hurts and i am a sucker when it comes to physical pain. i just cry when my money is gone. thanks, DG. are you back now?
what a lovely scene! Yes, horses are big business -- esp in my native state of Kentucky! I'm like you -- am not going to play gambling games with my hard earned cash -- !
@cscecil - that's right! the kentucky downs, yes? is that where the women go and display their ridiculous hats during the big race of the year? or am i thinking of sarasota or some other place? thank you, CS.
@sanera - the scenery going north was really lovely. thanks, sam.
@bkbinthecity - allergic though i am, i think that horses are the most beautiful creatures. thanks, bkb.
@karenann - looking at it again this morning, it is quite a lovely shot. i'd have loved for the sky to be bluer but there were a thin layer of clouds on that part whereas just above me it was clear blue. i suppose we cannot always have the shot we want, eh. thanks, karenann.
@altadc - 'no sex please' was a beautiful horse, would lead the pack then fade off to third place at the end of the race. hahaha. thanks, alta.
@danig - i wouldn't stick glass up my fingernails, because that hurts and i am a sucker when it comes to physical pain. i just cry when my money is gone. thanks, DG. are you back now?