Thanksgiving comes and goes, and we offer up our annual prayers of gratitude. Without much thought we throw in the expected things to be grateful for: family and friends, health (although not quite as grateful as we get older!), a home to live in, food to eat.(Ok, not quite so grateful when we need to lose a few.)
I found myself this year expressing gratitude for a job where there is always too much to do. I never thought I'd say that. And at times I could kick myself for even thinking that! But really..how exhilarating it is to always be contemplating "what's next"? What else can I do? Hey, this is a cool idea! Let's try that.
And occasionally, WOW, that was a complete screw-up.
We all need to slow down, I know. Me too. But to have a list of things a mile long that you want to do, and there just isn't enough time or money... now that's real life.
[Note to self: Add to your to-do list the following items: take a bubble bath, sit in a hot tub, get a massage, have a beer with a friend you haven't seen for a long time, scratch the cat, pet the dog...]
Ok, now it's heaven.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
The $2.5 Million Dollar Mare
Last week I watched a thoroughbred mare sell for $2.5 million. She was beautiful.. and I'm sure she had great lines (a Giant's Causeway daughter). But REALLY.
I just can't relate. $2.5M for an animal with four legs who can only have one foal per year in a time when sales prices are low. Business investment is what they say. I guess you depreciate her over time (one tax deduction), then you use the cost of care as a business expense, and the stud fee (but more outlays of money...)..
It is all beyond me. Not that it works out on paper - I sure the numbers do.
But to know there are people who in this economy can pay $2.5M for anything, let alone a risky investment like a horse. That is beyond my comprehension.
Could have been the sheiks, I suppose. Ah, to live in a country where there is oil and most of the oil money goes to the Royal Family.
So here the rest of us are in the "land of milk and honey" - the good old USA - and we are lucky if we can sell our horses for a few thousand. Or even 10's of thousands if it's a good hunter-jumper.
The problem really is that with one or two million dollar horses, the TB industry once again reinforces the public's perception that they are all rich guys. We know they are not, that the average income of KY thoroughbred farms is $50,000 -- not exactly a royal salary. But the average person will not hear about them.. they will just hear about the million dollar mare.
How are we going to get gaming passed in this state (if in fact that is what will save the industry, at least in the short term), if most of the electorate sees million dollar sales coming out of the Bluegrass? While meanwhile they are struggling to keep their family farm afloat, or to work the night shift in a blue collar job?
I just can't relate. $2.5M for an animal with four legs who can only have one foal per year in a time when sales prices are low. Business investment is what they say. I guess you depreciate her over time (one tax deduction), then you use the cost of care as a business expense, and the stud fee (but more outlays of money...)..
It is all beyond me. Not that it works out on paper - I sure the numbers do.
But to know there are people who in this economy can pay $2.5M for anything, let alone a risky investment like a horse. That is beyond my comprehension.
Could have been the sheiks, I suppose. Ah, to live in a country where there is oil and most of the oil money goes to the Royal Family.
So here the rest of us are in the "land of milk and honey" - the good old USA - and we are lucky if we can sell our horses for a few thousand. Or even 10's of thousands if it's a good hunter-jumper.
The problem really is that with one or two million dollar horses, the TB industry once again reinforces the public's perception that they are all rich guys. We know they are not, that the average income of KY thoroughbred farms is $50,000 -- not exactly a royal salary. But the average person will not hear about them.. they will just hear about the million dollar mare.
How are we going to get gaming passed in this state (if in fact that is what will save the industry, at least in the short term), if most of the electorate sees million dollar sales coming out of the Bluegrass? While meanwhile they are struggling to keep their family farm afloat, or to work the night shift in a blue collar job?
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