Sugar Ray Leonard, Michael Jordan and . . .

The MOB's own Jo announced last Friday that she would be shutting down her blog "Jo's Attic," and retiring from blogging. This unanticipated move received attention from oodles of MOB bloggers, both on their own sites and on her comment pages. The commentary was true and unanimous, we all want you to stay, but if you have to leave we wish you the best.

Personally, I enjoyed Jo's attic because of her honesty. She posted her genuine thoughts, seemingly without the calculated word-smithing that others use. What her product lacked in polish, it more than made up for in humanity. In many ways I envy her ability to accomplish that.

When Illinois men's basketball coach Lou Henson announced his retirement a few years back, at each of the Big Ten road games in his final season, the opposing schools gave him a gift. When he came out of retirement to coach New Mexico State the next year, I wondered if he gave those gifts back. How is the story of Lou relevant to Jo's situation?

At least one fellow blogger has offered to buy her a beer and others have suggested as much with a "see you at Keegan's." I wonder if she has collected yet, because today Jo announces that rather than shutting the attic door forever, she will consider continuing on. The next time I see Jo, I'll definitely inquire on the status of the free beer that she had been offered. If she was successful, there could be a big announcement on the way from the Nihilist in Golf Pants.