Bikes and changes all around

Back again after exhausting efforts of being familial and social all weekend. My weekend resulted in my passing of the motorcycle safety course, which means I need to go to the DMV and pay $10 for my motorcycle permit. Then I can ride on my own, in the daylight, helmeted and without passengers. At one point early in the class we were reviewing helmets and I leaned over to L and whispered to him that "My brains are my business" and that I would be getting the full sized helmet with visor. L also bought a motorcycle on Sunday. My father told me this weekend that my grandfather had a motorcycle, and drove it to Florida where he worked as a cook when he was a young man. I am guessing this was sometime in the late 20's or early 30's. He had an Indian. It may have looked something like this:


My grandpa also knew someone who was a juror on the Sacco and Vanzetti trial, but contextually I only really know the man through stories. Were there actually jurors on that trial? I should research this. I felt very kindred to him after learning about the bike. He passed away 2 months after I moved to London, on my brother's birthday. He was nearly 100. He looked forward to getting a letter from the Queen for reaching his milestone, as he was British and under the understanding that British citizens are sent a personal letter from the Queen for reaching their centenary.

Our bike looks something like this:


I have also nearly completed the changing of my name. This feels wonderful. There are lots of changes happening. Another is that my favorite coffee shop (Dog Days Cafe) is closing. I once visited it daily but don't get to stop as often anymore since I moved closer to work. They carry the wonderful Coffee By Design coffee and have the best molasses cookies with lemon frosting. Of course, I could make them myself. My staff bought me a pound of the Dog Days blend of coffee for my birthday and broke the bad news to me. I could bake myself some cookies and try to create the feeling of sitting alone and having a coffee and a treat. I could do that on my own porch, but it always seems more peaceful when it's a bright and cheery place elsewhere. I liked Dog Days for being such a bright space, and for the fact that they knew my name and I could tell them about library things, and books, and what was happening in my life. I understand that the owner got a new job. He started the business when a local technology company closed and he was laid off, so this will be another fresh start for him. I can't begrudge his prosperity for a cup of coffee.