Graduation!* It’s truly a special time, when all around us are young (mostly) people who are ready to make their way in the world. 2015 is an extra special year for me, as Cate Rubin—smart, talented, energetic, vivacious, and beautiful Cate—graduates. Cate’s proud parents are Ms. J and yours truly. Her grandparents are Glenda Blackburn and the late Howard Wilson, and the late Uncle John Higgs, Rochelle Rubin and the late Herb Rubin, and Uncle Irwin Sattinger. Go Cate! (Special thanks to Aunt Pam and Uncle Craig, my sister and brother-in-law, for acting as “’rents” in Cate’s college ‘hood!) Here’s the soon-to-be grad with her parents:

As I write about graduation and Cate Rubin I get verklempt, which

As I’ve mentioned on a few occasions in the past couple of weeks, I’m driving to my daughter’s college graduation. I’m a solo going, and with her and her stuff—more on that below—on the return.

“Why don’t you fly?” I hear that question often, and I have a ready response, albeit one which stays within the confines of my thoughts: Have you flown lately? (Read Air Travel, Like Other Facets of American Life, Is Not What It Used to Be, by Andres Giridharadas for the New York Times on August, 23, 2013 for an overview; check Joe Sharkey at the New York Times for details.)

In my case flying means paying a premium to fly from