2 November 2025

In three days it will be the two-month mark since Chauffeur and Disciple were in the accident. Writer finds it interesting that we measure things from “events” or remember certain “events” to mark time. Worldly events, national events, space events such as the full moon, family events, personal events, seasonal events, catastrophic or disaster events, sports events, etc. Why do we do this? Does everyone do this? AND some people mark future events. “X” many days until Christmas, or a birthday, or? Some say, especially here, “I can’t wait until it gets colder!” or “This winter is SO cold! I can’t wait for summer!” Why are we not content to enjoy and live each day as if it were a special day? Those of us in The Hermitage have pondered life for the last two months in great detail. We listen to what others say, and work hard to keep our mouths shut. Each of us is incredibly special and every day is special. 

So, what’s been going on? Well…

Most of us have found ourselves out under The DOORS most mornings. The weather has been beautiful and between 56º and 65º. Disciple reads her scriptures and has a morning prayer, some play daily “brain” activity games, Organizer sees projects to be done, Gardener and Landscaper discuss things they are planning to do, and Ornithologist watches all of the birds and makes sure the feeders have something for them. The usual are hummingbirds, finches and doves. However, there were some new ones this morning. A few other types of finches and sparrows visited. No pigeons. The hawks and falcons must be taking those out. The DOORS have been quite a comfort. Just to sit and rock out in the cool of the morning to collect our thoughts and be at peace have been helpful. We absolutely love it. We even sat out there with a friend who moved several years ago and was in town. Candles were lit and it was wonderful to sit and visit. One morning produced an incredible thunderstorm. The entertainment was absolutely electrifying! We all enjoyed the phenomena. It was spectacular!

None of us are really sleeping well, not to mention the most vivid and sometimes disturbing dreams. Time Keeper DID set the clocks back, AND NOT forward this time, but most of us woke up at 5:45 this morning. While we tried to go back to sleep, most of us weren’t successful, and headed to The DOORS. We are still dealing with a few issues from September 5^th, a couple are physical, and then there is the mental part. Chauffeur makes sure everyone has their act together BEFORE venturing out. She doesn’t want to go unless there are several places to go for one outing. She isn’t about to go bounding about willy-nilly just because. She is looking for purpose, and it had better be good. 

Gardener has “tried” to be busy, but is cautious. She reseeded the front grass area and is excited that the new grass is already over an inch tall. She has pulled some weeds, and just sat, taking in the creations about her. She LOVES all of the plants and this time of year when it is cool and the smell of her roses greets her when she comes outside. She also noticed that several of the orchids are forming flower spikes already. She will be keeping an eye on them. AND all of the Naked Lady bulbs she transplanted ALL have leaves growing, preparing the bulbs for future blooming in the spring. 

After a two month closure for deep cleaning, a remodeling project, etc. The Temple is open again. Disciple was able to work there both Thursday and Friday this week. She has missed this opportunity greatly and was SO excited to be back with her Temple Sisters! The Sister Missionaries also invited her to go with them a couple of times to teach those with a desire to know more. This is always something she enjoys, as she has been blessed with a great testimony and a willingness to share it. She also enjoyed the Primary Program the children put on each year. They knew the songs exceptionally well and Disciples' eyes were wet through most of the program. 

Chef and Baker have started to do things again. At least more “involved” things than pb&j’s. We don’t mind those, and they are quick and easy, but they have been making favorites; chili dogs like those at Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor, Caramelized Onions with hamburgers and mac and cheese, Tomato Basil soup with grilled cheese sandwiches. Chef has been experimenting with the outside grilling process. And she made grilled egg salad sandwiches and salads. Baker did something she hasn’t done in a LONG time! She made chocolate chip cookies! OH MY GOSH! They were/are amazing. Chef is preparing Italian Chicken for dinner tonight and we can’t wait. It has been SO long since she has made this, she’s forgotten just how to do it, BUT whatever she is cooking up will be great. All of us know that.

Board Member has been busy with H.O.A. trees, plans, etc. Not to mention the trials of board meetings. Well, executive board meetings that go awry. And Writer will just leave it alone, suffice to say, Board Member was LIVID when she arrived back at The Hermitage, but has since calmed down. Thankfully. She doesn’t get angry often, but… Then there was the 14 year old she and another Board Member tried to help. We tried, until he was dishonest. Then we were done. 

Grandmomma and Princess dressed up for the ward Trunk or Treat festivities, AND their Prince Charming showed up. They had a fun time and enjoyed the time together. 

JustServe Specialist and Seamstress made two quilt tops, and will be finishing a dozen or so burp cloths this week. 

Correspondent received calls from Queen’s brother’s… One in Texas and one in Oregon. She also wrote to her 90 year-old pen pal in England. She has been writing to her for about eight years. The letter came back marked insufficient address. Chauffeur took her to the main post office on Sunset WHERE she mailed the letter five days earlier. She asked when she mailed it IF it was okay and told yes. However, when it got back east, someone out there obviously didn't know their geography. BUT the teller took the yellow sticker off, stamped it in red and off it went. This has happened twice, BUT Correspondent writes out the United Kingdom instead of the UK after the first time. Sometimes we just shake our heads and move on. 

Organizer was put on alert a week ago. As we were all having breakfast in the kitchen, we heard a GREAT noise out in the carriage house! We pondered whether or not to check it out. After a few minutes passed, some of us decided to check it out with her. A WHOLE stack of boxes, etc. about 7’+, fell over! Thankfully the open box with all of the mason jars got stuck and none of them broke! Whew! While the boxes were accessible, she went through them, put things away or tossed things, AND the boxes. An odd accidental bonus. 

Volcano Seismologist is still watching with fascination the things that are going on in the Pacific Ring of Fire. Weather Girl has joined them, as well as Disciple. All of them are intrigued by how the planet is “healing” itself, and are pondering, as they sit and discuss things in The DOORS, as to what may be next?! Time will tell. 

Most of us haven’t been very productive in the last two months. While we know we are supposed to be resting, we felt it would be nice to have at least one productive day, so asked Disciple to pray for us to do just that. And yesterday we felt pretty productive. Gardener watered, Maid did dishes, Laundress washed and dried a load of white, a load of colors, AND folded and put it all away, Chamber Maid tidied the master bath and changed the sheets, Chef made macaroni salad, deviled eggs and her special salad dressing, Ornithologist filled feeders, Organizer dealt with the downed boxes, took a few things out to the carriage house and changed the calendar, Baker put the extra Halloween candy out of sight, and Correspondent and Mommy talked with the youngest and his lovely wife for a bit. Considering the last two months, we DID accomplish a LOT, but none of it was difficult. It was a boost mentally, and we ALL needed that boost to let us know we are healing AND doing better.

We have had MRI’s, CT scans, ultrasounds, and x-rays. The ultrasound was A.B. normal, so we are having another CT scan. At least we think that is what Scheduler has to do tomorrow. We aren’t sure. Too much is going on. 

 

What we DO know is this:

God and Jesus Christ LOVE each of us

Prayer WORKS; they are heard, and answered

Priesthood Blessings WORK

Family is important

Family and friends are still checking on us and we appreciate it

Healing takes time

A LOT is going on in the world; read, study, watch and prepare

Time and health are THE MOST valuable things

We are SO blessed, grateful, and loved