Changes

It seems to be a time for changes, doesn't it?  In my religion, we believe that everything is transient; nothing remains the same, everything is subject to change. 

My mother used to say that change was good.  It was one of her sayings.  When my mother was born in 1920, she was born in what was the British Crown Colony of Ceylon at the time.  She said that her father, who was the first non-Britisher to hold his post, cried when King Edward VIII abdicated.  That abdication led to a lot of changes, didn't it?

Ceylon, by the way, gained its independence in 1948, retaining the position of Governor General, and, like many former British colonies, became a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, which recognizes the British monarch as its head.  In 1972, Ceylon became the Republic of Sri Lanka and replaced the position of Governor General (who had represented the British Crown) with a President, but, continued to be a member of the Commonwealth.

Yesterday (Thursday), when I heard about the death of Queen Elizabeth II, I felt sad at her passing; it marks a change, doesn't it?  May she rest in peace.  May the changes that result from her passing be good.

Yesterday, we had slightly cooler temperatures and I managed to get a few things done, including giving Dancer his flea medications, some paperwork and bill paying, watering a few plants in the front garden with water I had collected in buckets, doing a load of laundry (the sofa dust sheets) before the flex alert went into effect, and making an appointment to take the car in for a service.

Today, Friday, I took the car in for the service.  My appointment was at 10:40 a.m. and this time, I was there for about three hours.  I didn't mind the wait at all since I was waiting in an air conditioned room.  LOL.  Once again, I was about the only person who wore a mask, but, I expected that.  I had taken a sliced apple with me for brunch and midway through my wait, I went outside, stood in an area without any people to eat my apple slices and drink some water, then, put my mask back on and returned to the waiting area.  Today, they checked the engine, did a tune up, and rotated the tires; I was told that I will not need to replace my shock absorbers for another two years, bring the car in again in six months for an oil change, and if I ever want to sell the car, let them know!   LOL!

On the way home, I put gas to the car ($50 worth at $4.95/gal.), then, treated myself to a hamburger and fries from a nearby fast food drive through.  After I came home, I had my hamburger and fries.  Later, I watched news.  We are having a change in the weather as well, with Hurricane Kay, now downgraded to Tropical Storm Kay, moving into southern California!  There was a Flash Flood Alert for some of the counties and this little icon popped up in the corner of my computer:

Weather Change!

It was barely drizzling when M came to tend to the garden and I had him take down the window a/c unit, just in case we get heavier showers (there used to be a time when I could take it down, myself, but, not any more!)  He placed it on the small dining table in the family room, in case I want to put it back up in the window, next week, after the rain is over.  I am not sure if I will need it or not, because the forecast for next week calls for temperatures in the mid-80s, but, if I don't need it, later next week, he will take it to the garage to be stored until next year.  I also asked him to water the garden, just in case it doesn't rain enough to soak the ground.

It has been drizzling on and off all evening.  I'm grateful for the drizzle and I even went outside for a few minutes to feel the rain on my face!  Of course, now it is warm and humid, but, the temperature has come down a bit, outside.  The house is still warm enough to require a fan!  

Friend A called me to ask if I was free to visit her, tomorrow afternoon.  I told her it will depend on how hard it rains, tomorrow, because if it rains enough, the intersections in my neighborhood tend to get flooded!   Some parts of southern California have already had some flash flooding, downed trees, etc., but, so far, we've had drizzle and light showers.  I told A that I will call and let her know in the morning if I can visit her in the afternoon.  

I also spoke with friend R; we check in on a daily basis!

Today, I am grateful for:

- The car was serviced and they didn't say I needed any additional work done!
- Air conditioned waiting areas
- The availability of gas (plus prices have come down from what they had been)
- M helping me with taking down the a/c unit, etc.
- Rain!  The cooler temperatures!   

Today's joyful activity was standing outside, feeling the rain drops on my face!  LOL. 

How was your Friday?  What are your plans for the weekend?