2 August 2024

What a rollercoaster of a week this has been! SO many ups and downs AND none of us in The Hermitage are into rollercoasters. Not since the episode of 1995 at Magic Mountain. Nevertheless we pressed on.

Chauffeur is still concerned about the door latch on the driver’s door of the carriage that is broken. This leads to a circus of events to get OUT of the carriage. Unlock the door, roll the window down, reach out and open the door, roll the window back up, then get out. ALL without the door closing again while you are trying to collect things. This DID happen. Insert eye roll! Fortunately we don’t go too many places, BUT we have and it is comical. Enter the Court Jester!

The power was out twice on Monday for repairs and such in the neighborhood. We weren’t that concerned, as several of us were going to be running a LOT of errands with Chauffeur. FIRST was the circus at SW Medical. Queen was having a yearly x-ray done. The appointment had been made back in June. Her appointment was at 9:30 and Chauffeur had us there at 9:10. We presented our ID and UH card. Unaccepted. Red error button. WHAT THE HECK?! We used this last year. There was a conversation. And more conversation. “Okay. Fine. Have a nice day.” And we all left.

Still shaking our heads. We went over to have the battery checked in the carriage. After 45 minutes, we were told it was “fine,” BUT they did put a charge on it. The heat here wears those batteries out. Chauffeur was assured the battery was fine. BUT while sitting and waiting, we pondered the episode at the medical center. We wondered, “Should we have presented our Medicare card??? ”Hmmm…

Back at The Hermitage Correspondent called about the appointment and IF the Medicare card should have been used. “YES!” OH MY GOSH!!! So, now we go back on the 11th of September. UNLESS we call to see if there has been a cancellation!

Board Member was notified that someone removed the pool light she reattached to the pool wall. Anger set in. There seems to be spurts of anger here at The Hermitage. None of us really get angry anymore. At least not for more than a few minutes. There is NO point in it. No purpose. We had phone calls from both of Queen’s boys, the oldest daughter, and the brother in Oregon. ALL of this is semi unusual, but very welcome.

The mood in The Hermitage was slightly better today. Board Member found out that the pool light was fixed and the valves for the pool pumps. She is glad that it is taken care of.

Gardener is trying to save plants in the backyard. The heat has been relentless and taking its toll on everything green. She is somewhat heartbroken, but hopeful that some of them will make it.

Laundress and Scullery Maid were busy with their obligations. Others in TheHermitage carried on with other things.

Queen had a date Tuesday night. The Handsome Oldest Prince picked her up in his coach and off we went to the Aloha Sunrise Café! WOW!!! The cuisine was wonderful and so was the company. It was SO nice to just beable to sit and visit. Not something we get to do often.

Mid-week, Chauffeur piloted the carriage to the local fueling station. Banker got the card out and paid $3.44 for each gallon! Shopper went into the mega guild and made two purchases! This was an unbelievable undertaking! Normally she goes in for one or two things and comes out with a dozen or more! We were all in shock! We stopped at a Battery &Bulb store, but they couldn’t help us with our plight. We made a short stop at the Salon to visit Queen’s oldest daughter. Then we were off to the cash repository. Actually two of them. Banker and Financier were taking from one and putting in another. They also found out about some things, and will be regrouping. We then stopped at the local builder’s guild! They have moving trucks, so Organizer was able to discuss the rental of a HUGE truck to transport things from far away to The Hermitage. She found out that the rental place is the exact same place where things have been stored for FAR TOO LONG!!! This has relieved a lot of stress and given us some hope. All the time performing the circus of getting out of the carriage at every stop.

We all went to the pool to swim, and it was very good. Very good indeed. On the way home we visited with one of the neighbors. His mother is 91, and had a heart attack. She is not doing well. He asked if Disciple was “going to be doing her Mormon thing tomorrow? And if so, would she pray for his mom to not suffer, and for him to have comfort?” She said she certainly would. AND did take care of that.

Chef spent some time with Baker planning the first Sunday dinner. They asked for ideas, and came up with what they believe will be delightful and tasty.

Chauffeur had Disciple to the Temple right on time. The circus ensued as she excited the carriage, only to have the window NOT go back up. WHAT THE HECK?!?! JEEZ!!! Enter a new ring at the circus! We figured since it was the Temple parking lot, and NOT Walmart, it would be fine. Unless it rained. And if it did, we would be thankful…and maybe a little wet. Inside we left the world behind and concentrated on holier things. There were many things we left outside. One was the 33rd anniversary of THE worst day everin 1991. Then a lot of other things of various sizes. BUT Disciple is SO thankful to work with some of THE MOST amazing people. The spirit within the Temple is overpowering and the feelings you receive from that lifts you. This is such a blessing. As we left, the Oldest Beautiful Princess wanted to know if the window was still fussy from the heat, or mad. Chauffeur told her it was still mad.

Chauffeur drove over to Oldest Beautiful Princess’s. The drive took them past Horseman’s Park. This brought back difficult memories. BUT at Oldest Beautiful Princess's she came out and together they got the window back up. This means that to exit the carriage, we all need to use one of the other three doors. YES, the circus is in town and it is at The Hermitage. This too shall pass.

We were up early this morning. Some of us weren’t too excited. SOME of us stayed up FAR too late last night. But Board Member had a meeting at the clubhouse at 7:30 to discuss the trimming of some trees. That didn’t last long, and Chauffeur took Shopper and Financier to two of the local guilds. The first stop was at the local La Mercado where they picked up all the produce. They returned to The Hermitage and put things away, then they purchased the rest of Chef and Baker’s lists, at the local All-American guild. After gathering everything, and a few extras, they were headed back to The Hermitage.

Keep in mind the circus of getting out of the carriage every stop. BUT we are all home. All kicking around doing various things. Preparing things for cooking and baking prep tomorrow. Sometimes when you “think” you are making something easy, IT IS easy to eat, BUT the prep involved takes time. It will be good though. Chef is planning the following: tacos (various size/types shells), taco salads (we bought the tortilla bowls), burritos, nachos, Mexican street corn, AND all of the toppings—the taco meat, and jalapeños, lettuce, tomatoes, cheeses, sour cream, sauces, black beans, green onions, refried beans, and homemade guacamole. For dessert we are having two kinds of cupcakes and cherrycheesecake. We are getting hungry just thinking about it.

There is rarely a dull moment at The Hermitage. We live for the excitement. Have a great week.