My morning began at 5:00 AM. I woke and made some coffee before joining Joshua and David on Zoom to observe Queen Elizabeth’s state funeral. By 6:00 AM, Dave’s parents, Anne and Phil, had logged on.

I was struck by hearing a lyric change for the first time in my lifetime. “God save The King.” I loved watching the royal family sing this anthem and wondering what they must be thinking with this change.

The funeral offered so much tradition, plus some new offerings. Seeing the queen’s corgis waiting for her arrival was a bit of a heartstring tug. Then, there was the ever impressive music I’ve come to expect from The British. They do seem to have this market solidly cornered.

By 9:00 AM I was mowing the yard and getting much trimming completed. I returned inside to watch some of the Windsor service but decided I wanted a Mexican lunch. Upon my return I finished watching a recording of the end of the service in St. George Chapel… moving. the removal of the scepter, orb, and crown… the breaking of the baton… and then, the lowering of her majesty’s coffin into the crypt, soon to be joined with Prince Philip, her parents, and the cremains of her sister.

My morning was spent with loved ones, albeit via Zoom, pageantry, lawn care, more pageantry, Mexican lunch, and a tender farewell to a magnanimous lady.

By 2:00 PM, I’d made it a great day.

My teaching schedule was very light. I had my first five lessons and was done by 7:30 PM, four hours early. An adult student was on vacation, and the remaining students in Colorado, Nevada, and California had homecoming events. This could not have been more perfectly timed with my early start to the day, exercise, and watching an end to an era.

So, I am pleased with today’s opportunities and observances. It was a great day.