Hey Graybeard--you said it so well--a man-has had a full life if they have had one good wife-one good dog-one good horse-and one good friend. We of course could add a Manx 30-40 coming out of the bottom corner in full bugle (megaphone)hitting 4000rpms (when the meg kicks in)and flying down the track.
Yes I have been lucky--I have had all--and your prose was beautiful--thanks for sharing.
Blueback aka Geoff
