Maria took me to the Saratoga Raceway today for my birthday and it was a sweet day, racetracks are always a kind of home for me, I spent some serious parts of my life at racetracks, betting on the ponies, traveling from one track to another.

It was a sweet and learning time for me, for all the problems I did have, I never had a gambling problem, I never won a lot of money or lost a lot of money, I just won enough to keep me going for some time, from Hialeah in Miami to Saratoga Springs.

It was a great life for a very young man, I hung out with jockeys, trainers, horse junkies and a few mob types, great training for a reporter. I have not been in this game for awhile, I quickly lost $50 betting on five races, I came very close to one big score, but screwed up placing the bet I wanted.

The day was not about winning, of course, but about having fun, getting away, spending time with the wonderful person who is my lover and partner in life. We stayed through five races, had a lobster roll, hung out in the paddock, sizing up the horses and  jockeys. Maria is a natural gambler, she is serious and fearless, she won one bet, lost four. We had a losing day and a very winning day.

You really can’t go back, and I don’t wish to. I know so little about the horses I was betting on today, and watching. Mostly, I love to watch the people. Tomorrow, life resumes, I have one more air conditioner to bring to the Mansion and am driving to Albany to talk so some refugees. Life goes on and on, it was sweet to go back for a few hours.

We could not have had a better time, and a day with her reminds me of the importance of love in one’s life. It is very important to me. Tonight, the birthday celebration continues, we’re heading to the Dorset Playhouse in Dorset, Vt. to see a show we have been official warned has obscenity, smoke, sexual references and loud music and noises. Sounds great.

Otherwise, I could fall asleep, we are both wiped out. Saratoga is quiet different than it was in my prime time there, most of the swells are gone (there are a few left in the Clubhouse stands, dressed to the nines), there are hordes of lawn people from Queens and New Jersey. Times change, but the track keeps its essence.

I go once in awhile, every other year, and it used to make me sad, I often missed my life on the racing circuit, it was a good fit for me in many ways. I felt nothing like that today, that is the difference I think, from living an unhappy life to living a fulfilled one. And the difference from living without love to being loved. And loving.

Got to take a nap, shuck some corn, head out again. It is not easy being 70. My 71st year is off to a great start.