8 March 2026
Writer has a LOT on her mind. Actually, ALL of us have had a LOT going on in many ways, and there has been a LOT going on here in The Hermitage. Writer has some things she wants to write about that have been going through her mind involving several subjects. BUT not in this writing. Just catching up with The Hermitage Happenings will be sufficient for this writing.
Astronomer tried to see the planets align at the end of February, but by the time the sun went down, most of the alignment was behind the mountains. So, that was a failure. Then she couldn’t sleep the night of March 2nd. She found herself waking up several times. Then at 3AM she put her robe on and went outside to check out the Blood Moon. A palm tree was in the way out in the backyard, BUT the front yard had a PERFECT view. She set up her chair and sat out there for about 45 minutes. She, as well as a few others in The Hermitage found it interesting THAT for Las Vegas, the fullest part of the eclipse was at 3:33AM on 3/3! How cool is that?!?!? Mathematician was in heaven with that!
Board Member has been busy with repairs and those doing them, up at the pool and gates. She has been with those giving painting estimates for the clubhouses, opening gates for those doing repairs on the pavers in the pool area, as well as those repairing the deck under the canopy. Then helping with the gate repairs that have been damaged by those who refuse to get keys. NOW we caught them on the cameras NOT being able to bang them until they open, but have to walk around. Such is life.
Going through some things that had been in storage, Building Super found the HUGE roll of 24’ wide and almost 1000’, white craft paper, used for a myriad of things here. Everyone uses it for one reason or another. The metal rack that holds it was missing, then would appear, then disappear. Building Super finally got both of them together, rack and roll (HAHAHA!), then was trying to figure out how to put the roll on the rack. All of the sudden, the light went on and voila! It was done. More on that later. THEN she saw that the neighbor across the street was putting vinyl privacy film on his front windows, so moseyed over there to check it out. WHOA!!! He had already applied some to the left window, but wasn’t too happy with it. Building Super asked about the application of said vinyl on that window. She also asked if he would like some help. YES! He would. So, she made some slight suggestions about the application of said vinyl. The first was to NOT take the paper ALL the way off. Especially since there was a slight wind. So, he cut the next piece and together, working down and from the center out, applied the privacy film to the window on the right. It was a near perfect application. He was not only thrilled but highly impressed with the patience of Building Super and praised her. THEN ripped off the film on the left window to re-do that one. It came out perfect and he continued to praise Building Super. They both decided they could add this to their growing résumés. Both are retired, but learning all sorts of things. They also learned how to fill a pothole with asphalt. Among other things.
Chef had to appease the masses. She made another quart of the red salad dressing. She is fairly sure someone is drinking it. She hasn’t witnessed that, but it sure disappears faster than anything else. She also made a new recipe, but no one has put it on anything… yet. AND she made some lemonade with lemons she squoze. AND yes, that’s a word. Even if it weren’t, Writer has the authority to use what she wants, and usually does.
After Financier paid the bills at the end of the month, she decided to get with Banker and CPA, and together they did the taxes. THANKFULLY there was a refund due this year as in the 50 years past, and it was in the bank a week later! WOOHOO!!! Many of us in The Hermitage were happy about this.
Gardener has been overly blessed and thankful. So many things are happening and blooming. Shamrocks, iris, violets, alyssum, tulips, and freesia are blooming outside, and the orchids inside! The snake plant that was resurrected now has another leaf on it! Bonus! The poinsettia was transplanted AND it is starting to leaf out. She is beside herself over this. AND the “cineraria” plant she thought she was given that doesn’t do so well here, is actually a Senetti and DOES do well here! WOOHOO! So, she put it in a larger pot and it is doing well. She is thinking some of them will have to be shuffled as it starts getting warmer.
Movie Buff has had some GREAT shows on. Most of them were on National Geographic. They were on Lost Cities and Archeology. Archeologist was THRILLED! So was Disciple and Family Historian. Especially when Movie Buff found one episode on the Knights Templar. That show talked about Hugues de Payens, co-founder and first grand master of the Knights Templar. Family Historian was curious and decided to check him out! He is our 21st great-grandfather! Sweet!!!
While the movies and programs are on, Seamstress has been busy with another Christmas stocking. She is a little more than halfway with this one. She also took two old tool pouches, belonging to the former King, and with several feet of the aforementioned white craft paper, made patterns. One is a ten-pocket tool pouch and the other is a four-pocket. The patterns were for Angelo who has been doing some leather work.
Disciple and soprano have been busy with Ward and Stake Choir, and they have been encouraged to join the Easter choir for a special performance. They will have several practices before this is all over. The songs are wonderful and they have a good time. There is something about hymns and hearts that go together and it fills the soul. Roots Magic started at the beginning of the month. The first notification on March 2nd, said we had 15,801 cousins enrolled. As of this writing, 6 days later, there are now 38,326. These are people ALL over the world. It is fascinating AND fun and it’s free, if you are interested.
This has had a roller-coaster of a week, or two. Many of us have been on autopilot. On the 26th of February Queen’s two oldest called about the death of a friend they had grown up with and who had been a big part of their lives. ALL of our lives. He was the same age as Queen’s oldest and they were like brothers growing up. They did everything together. Chauffeur took many of us from The Hermitage to the Chapel on Friday night for the viewing, and Saturday for the funeral. Many of us were crying just getting out of the carriage to go in. We could see that trailer that carried all of the things for the Firefighters Pipe and Drum band. That brought emotions for several reasons. The viewing was full of a LOT of people we have known for the last 50 years. Memories flooded our brains and hearts. Emotions were high and tears were flowing. It is SO good to see ALL of these people, yet hearts were broken. Everyone relying on their faith and beliefs. To KNOW things, yet question. To try to be there for others and be strong. Some of us are very strong, and others weak and needing to rely on those who aren’t. Deep down, we KNOW that God has a plan. His plan is perfect. He is perfect. His timing is perfect. We don’t question it. However, someday we may see the wisdom, and have the insight to understand. The funeral was… full of love, tears, laughter, music, memories and SO MUCH more. There were over a dozen fire department vehicles, mostly pumpers, out front of the Church. People were parked for blocks away. The Chapel and overflow were full, the Cultural Hall was full and the stage. Others spilled over into various rooms with the sound system. Many were in the halls. We aren’t sure if there were a thousand people there, but possibly. The service started with the Las Vegas FD Pipe and Drum band. This tradition goes back hundreds of year and is beautiful and full of spirit. When the bagpipes started playing Amazing Grace, ALL of us from The Hermitage lost it. From then on, we couldn’t keep our emotions from running down our faces, our chest from heaving, or our hearts from aching for Kelly’s family. There were several hundred fire fighters there, all dressed in their official uniforms. The brotherhood was present and felt. Special ceremonies performed by them. The talks from Kelly’s family were touching and special. The musical numbers as well. The spirit was there and it was strong. A double line of firemen were in the parking lot saluting when the hearse drove through.
Life and death are all a part of why we are here. Our spirits come here to obtain bodies. Then, when it is our time, they are separated for a time, one day to be reunited in the resurrection. We are left here by those who go before we do. We are saddened, even though they are at peace and have great joy. We who are left behind to wait our turns miss them. Want to see them again, and talk to them, hug them and laugh again. But they aren’t far. They are only on the other side. They watch over us. Every time we think of them, they are right there with us. They continue to love us, just as we love them. IF there is one thing Disciple knows, it is that God has a plan for all of us. His plan and timing are perfect. He knows what needs to happen and when. He also knows why, even though we don’t. Proverbs 3:5-6 reads, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Just because WE don’t get it all the time, He does. We just need to have faith and trust.
This will be a busy week for us; a luncheon, a fundraiser dinner, choir practices, and more. The Temple will be back open and Disciple is thankful. We are blessed and grateful. Thankful for family and friends. We look for Christ everywhere. We look for His hand in our lives. We are pressing forward in faith.
