This was definitely a momentous weekend. We spent last week shopping for a bike for J, and found one for a fair price in Wabash. Of course it had to be at a farmhouse on a long gravel road! (thank goodness it wasn't freshly graveled). We looked at the  2009 Honda Shadow Spirit and I think the seller was surprised when I strapped on my pretty pink helmet to take it for a test drive, I heard J explaining as I headed down the lane that I'd been riding for 16 years and I would be the best person to evaluate it. When I got back from my zippy little joy ride I pronounced it straight and true with good brakes and smooth shifting. The next night we both rode my bike back to Wabash to pick it up, and by the weekend it was plated and insured. J rides as though he was always meant to, with very little newbie stress. I'm very proud of him.  Then Ben announced that he would probably be leaving for New Orleans on Monday. He meant leaving from Indy on Monday, leaving home from home, Sunday. So, I scurried to mix up an enormous batch of cowboy cookies, full of oatmeal, raisins, and walnuts, and sent him off with a batch right out of the oven. My brown eyed baby is on the way to New Orleans, finally starting his first job in his career field  but with no family nearby for back-up. Please beam any spare positive energy you have his way during his long drive down.