Cbailis
From AlexBrownRacing
Contents |
Bio
You may see a similarity to the bio of Matt Bailis (mbailis), as we're mother & son. I was born in Middletown, New York but moved to Philadelphia after college to go to graduate school. Many years later, I'm still here & have no desire to leave these beautiful suburbs. It's not unusual to see people riding their horses or ponies on the roads and trails in the Gladwyne area and once in a while I'll spot a family riding in their cart that's pulled by a team of drays.
My interests are pretty eclectic, running the gamut from wine collecting to cooking (often theme related....love to do Vietnamese, Provençal, & Greek dishes) to planning my husband's gardens. He does the work; I do the architecture so to speak, the choosing of the various species & their placement. I really know very little about the plants/flowers themselves, but my eye for texture & color is excellent & we're a good team. I also read extensively on wide-ranging subjects both fiction & non-fiction.
The central focus of my interests is classical music. I began to study piano at age five and am still at it. It's as much a part of my life as breathing! I'm on the board of The Friends of The Curtis Institute of Music, and have chaired its Host Family Program for the last 7 years, an activity that not only has led to wonderful relationships with many of the students & their parents, but also has provided some positively spectacular musical experiences. Add to this an inquisitive nature that leads me to audit classes each year at The University of Pennsylvania and other academic institutions. In addition to many music and literature courses (I was an English major in college.), I've studied everything from bioethics to nutritional anthropology to global marketing.
Horse experience
Although I rode horses in my childhood, in truth, I was grateful each time I got off unscathed. I didn't want to be called a wimp so forced myself to join my horse-loving camp friends when they'd go for trail rides. When the horse would begin to canter, I'd pray for the ride to end!! At some point.......actually, not that many years ago....after a trip to the Grand Tetons, I finally declared that henceforth my love for horses would be expressed from the ground up, not the saddle down!! Hug them; give them treats; pet them; talk to them; do everything to save them from harm; help those who care for them at rescues, but no more riding.
Matt referred to his grandfather, my late father, as the one who introduced him to the love of horses & horse racing. I, too, caught the bug from the same carrier & I, too, feel his imprint upon me in so many ways. I have recollections of myself as a 15 yr. old, wiling away the days at a boring summer job by handicapping horses. PIcking a name I liked yielded results about equal to my handicapping efforts. I'm creative, not mathematical. These days I've sworn off watching races. I simply can't bear to witness the tragedies that can occur. But like the little kid who has to sneak a look, I have to admit I'm tempted.
FOB activities
As mentioned above: Helping to save horses from slaughter, contributing to their well-being, to laminitis research, and adding my voice to the growing political movement to end horse slaughter. I'm enjoying meeting many people aboard who share these interests and especially have enjoyed my 3 trips to Fair Hill, one of which was a magical day spent one-on-one in the company of Round Pond, my "friend" Wapiti, Lady Monarchos, & Michael Matz's other horses. It was a joyful experience!
FOB Network
My site and other sites that are useful
Questions from other FOBs
This space available for FOBs to ask you questions. Answers can then be worked into the above content if appropriate. Carole My son, Greg, and I thank you for all your expertise helping him "intepret" Mozart and the classical style to his playing! You are quite accomplished! Mary in MD
