Saturday after breakfast was to be a trip to the farmers market and grocery store - getting it done earlier in the day than usual. We went down to the garage, and while getting in the car, I noticed that the left rear tire was low - quite low. We drove to the gas station we usually go to - the air compressor was broken. The tire seemed lower. We drove across the street to another station, and I pumped up the tire, realizing that it had almost no pressure at all, and that I had left the valve stem cap at the first station. It inflated, but I was nervous about it. Back at the first station to retrieve the cap, I saw that there was a cut, or a tear, in the outer edge of the tread at one point. Now I knew the plans for the day were changing.
We drove back home, parked in the driveway, and called AAA. After the spare was installed, I drove to the nearest tire store, arriving about 10:30. They were very busy - cars parked everywhere, and waiting room full. I stood in line, checked in, and then sat down to wait. They stopped taking new customers at 11, as they close at 1 on Saturdays. I was one of the last people to leave - about 1:20 pm - with new tires on the rear wheels.
We missed the farmers market for the day, but got everything else in. Tomorrow we're driving to Pennsylvania so Pam can run in some track events in the Pennsylvania Senior Games. It's a very good thing I saw the tire this morning, and didn't end up with a blowout out on the road somewhere.
Things often go the way they're planned, but sometimes they don't. That's when you find out how the practice helps you accept and make the best of whatever arises.
Very good reminder!
ReplyDelete