Much of our quiet time is spent boating and generally loafing at our second home in the 1,000 Islands on the St. Lawrence River.

The automobile, both a cause and an effect of this decentralization, is ideally suited for our vast landscape and our generally confused and contrary commuting patterns.

Regardless, I did rise to the editorship before embarking on a freelance career in the late '60's.

My father, Raymond F. Yates, was a successful writer of technical nonfiction and such a life seemed a reasonable alternative to real work.

More books, more racing and more foolishness with cars and motorcycles are in the works.

I have four grown children and two tiny grandchildren.