20 May 2026

 

Writer hasn't been a slacker, merely trying to keep up with EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING in The Hermitage! There has been MUCH. We are ALL learning a myriad of things. We are experiencing many emotions. Change is difficult, but we are pushing forward and doing this. AND there was a conundrum today! More on that later in the narrative of The Hermitage.

 

Queen spent a little time with Jenny today. We had lunch. Queen was getting ready and thought of the time we ALL went to Costco and had hot dogs, pizza, ETC. Interestingly enough, that’s where Jenny wanted to go. She wanted a Costco hot dog. Queen was fine with that as she likes them too. Then we went to DQ and she had a root beer float, and Queen got her favorite! A buster bar!!!

 

Seamstress helped Queen’s daughter-in-law take in a T-shirt for StarWars day. AND she finished another Christmas stocking! Four down! She’s on a roll. Most of the others had between 100 and 120 pieces/steps. This one had close to 160. And her friend Jannette brought over some quilt tops to sew. She chose three of them. She has her work cut out for her.

 

Chef made a crockpot full of red meat sauce so she can make a pan of Lasagna for a dinner on Saturday. She made enough for other meals for those in The Hermitage. They love ziti and spaghetti, so she is prepared.

 

Correspondent has been busy with several birthdays and letter writing. She had Artist decorate two envelopes for birthdays this month. Jenny’s today and Mike’s next week. One is something new Artist thought she would try her hand at. It is called “Zentangle.” She got a “sharpie” headache and had to rest periodically. It is “a meditative art form where artists create abstract, intricate designs by drawing structured, repetitive patterns.” 

 

Disciple has been SO busy!!! She has been out to lessons with the Sister Missionaries, attended Faith and Fellowship meetings, has had two board meetings with her presidency, done her regular shifts at the Temple and subbed for others as well. She also attended a DUP meeting with Family Historian. She also went to lunch with her Temple Sisters. There have been many phone and in person meetings with various people. She has had MANY prayers answered, received several promptings from the spirit, seen God’s hand, timing and tender mercies. She is being strengthened, blessed and refined! It is ABSOLUTELY amazing. She and Queen were VERY thankful on Mother’s day when the family came to Church and sat with them. THEN took them to lunch at Lucille’s! 

 

Queen went to the youngest grandson’s awards in his little scout group. That Chaplain has a VERY difficult job. It must be VERY difficult to try and teach something that you don’t actually DO. As these boys become adults one day, they may see the conflict and hypocrisy involved. The program itself is AWESOME for the boys and Queen supports the activities and such, but realizes the slippery slope the Chaplain is on. 

 

Chauffeur has been taking care of legal matters, and hopefully that episode from last September will be over soon and she can shop for a new or semi-new carriage. 

Social Butterfly has been reflecting on the past. Namely the following eateries. She LOVED going to these places and missed what she used to order there. Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor,

Shakey's, H. Salt Fish and Chips, Sambo's, Godfather's pizza, Bob's Big Boy, and Stuckey's. It’s funny how just thinking about these places takes you back to them and you can smell the smells, see the ambiance within, and the memories rush in. 

 

Board Member and Gardener have been busy fixing trees with another Board Member after the wind the other night. We had constant wind here at The Hermitage with gusts between 50-70MPH. We thought we would end up in Kansas. Alas, we woke up where we were supposed to be, BUT it was a rough night. Several trees were down at the dog park, so we did what we could until the actual landscapers could get there the next day. We also took care of some infuriating things in the pool area. Some of us in The Hermitage feel a place in the mountains away from certain things might just be something to look into.

 

 

When Gardener went to water out back last Saturday, she saw something LARGE run across the pavers to the woodpile! A RAT!!! She reported it to Building Super! THAT MUST GO! THAT was what has been eating her succulents! DANG!!! Building Super reported it to a neighbor across the street. He gave her two mouse traps. She was pretty sure they weren’t going to work because the “RAT” was three times the size, OR more, of the traps. Nevertheless, Building Super got the peanut butter from Chef and prepared the traps. She snapped her fingers several times, but not seriously. She didn’t get hurt, just jumped when they snapped. So, the traps were set. She also made a box to fit in the carriage house vent that was open out of ¼” wire mesh and installed that, so said RATS couldn’t get into the carriage house. At 11:00PM two nights in a row, they snapped, BUT nothing was in them the next morning. Okay, it’s on!!! Building Super called the PRO TRAPPER!!! He came over with his wife and son. He set two HUGE rat traps, and the live trap Building Super has had for decades. Building Super has used it twice in the last 50 years. Once for a skunk, and was successful, once for Archimedes and was NOT successful. Then Pro Trapper, his family and Queen went to Eddie’s for dinner! The wait was on. Tuesday… NOTHING. One small trap was snapped, but nothing else. This morning she checked them at 5AM when she woke up. Nothing. She checked them off and on through the morning. THEN she looked out there about 10:45 and a stray cat was out by the live trap. Good grief. Now she had to deal with a live rat! DANG! She really didn’t want to have to dispatch a rat. That wasn’t in the plan. Nevertheless, she opened the door and the cat ran off. She went over to check out the “rat” in the live trap. She looked at it. Called for Zoophilist, who said, “THAT’S NOT A RAT!!! THAT’S A SQUIRREL!!!” Gardener and Building Super KNEW that. ALL of us in The Hermitage knew that. However, ALL of us have NEVER seen a squirrel in Paradise LV. “Where did it come from?” They were questioning? AND whatever shall we do with it? It’s darling. Chef gave it some chopped pecans which it seemed to love. Later in the afternoon, Building Super released it. Traps have been put away. Life is extremely interesting at The Hermitage! That’s for darn sure. Pro Trapper thought it was hilarious. Seems it is a Rock Squirrel. Not sure where it came from, OR if it will be back, but it has been eating the succulents for almost a year. 

 

And so we come to the end of the excitement and happenings at The Hermitage until the next writing. We are constantly entertained, amazed, and shocked. But we are also blessed, honored, and at peace… for the moment. We can see SO much hope on the horizon. Love you ALL!

 3 May 2026

 

Writer has had some news to post for two weeks. It was on the down-low for several reasons, nevertheless The Hermitage has been abuzz with this new episode in Disciples life. 

 

Over the years EVERYONE in The Hermitage has learned things in a variety of ways starting at very young ages. Athlete learned to swim at two years of age having walked to the beach by herself (A kind policeman returned her to her home), and learned to ride a bike at four. Maybe a quicker way to the beach?! She also learned to play golf, baseball, and football before the age of 8. Miss Ladylike learned to sit down and sit properly VERY young. She also learned to walk and stand properly. And then there were the etiquette lessons of tableware and table manners, etc. Chambermaid and Scullery Maid learned their skills VERY early on. Gardener learned a love of plants and growing things. Correspondent learned to write letters and thank you notes at a young age. Seamstress learned to sew when she was 9. Quilter learned to quilt at 12. Chef and Baker started cooking and baking classes at 12 as well. Chauffeur learned to drive. Banker and Financier learned about budgeting and the like. Everything was learned early. As a teenager Mechanic and Builder wanted to take shop classes, but that wasn’t available to girls. So, Queen met someone who would teach her these skills. Mechanic would come home with black grease from her fingertips to her neck. Many times it was smeared across her cheeks as she would try to get the hair off of her face. Queen’s mother would say, “You were raised to be a LADY! This is FAR from Lady-like.” Queen’s dad would say, “You know you can be replaced by a girl…” And then he would smile. 

 

Queen married and they moved a little over 1,300 miles away from anyone they knew. She was thankful for ALL of the skills, abilities and knowledge all of those in The Hermitage had learned over the years. Everything helped her survive in many ways. 

 

Then they moved to Las Vegas in 1976. He left the Air Force and worked for the LVFD. Children came along. When he wasn’t at the fire station, he was working on cars. Frequently he would come in and request help from one of those in The Hermitage. Usually it was Mechanic. Not always, but frequently. Requests such as, “I’m putting in this transmission and trying to line up the flywheel, pressure plate and 

clutch plate. I need you on the creeper to help me.” Sobeit. And off she would go, under yet another vehicle. This was NOT unusual for any of us in The Hermitage.

 

In June of 2024, as Camper was going to celebrate her last birthday in her 60's, she went to girl’s camp near Kolob, Utah. It was BEAUTIFUL. While there, the Stake President and a Bishop asked if she would accompany them on “a hike?” “Why not?” she thought. Why not indeed!!! This “hike” became known as the “Death Hike” from then on. While up there, there was also rappelling. Queen’s “boys” had suggested she do that… The suggestion came with much firmness. So, Camper prepared, learned, and, her Bishop coaxed her over the edge of the 40’ cliff. She survived, obviously, saying that was a done one and never again. 

 

Those in The Hermitage have been challenged/dared MANY times over the years. They have been through a myriad of trials and life experiences. So, on the 19^th of April when Disciple was asked to be the new Relief Society President the world stopped. Not really, BUT in her mind it did. Her first thought was, “Hmmm… The second coming must be a LOT closer than we think!” Then she cried. Then she prayed and cried. AND prayed some more. Then she gathered herself up, dusted herself off and tried her best to put on her finest Lady-like attitude. Obviously she needed to get her act together. OBVIOUSLY!!!  

 

Several people have told her she will be wonderful, great, etc. That she will receive SO many blessings. Those of us in The Hermitage have felt SO blessed now, that we don’t feel lacking. Nevertheless, time will tell.

 

For those of you who have read this far, and don’t know what Relief Society is, Historian will give you a short, sum up, maybe with some help.

 

“Founded in 1842, the Relief Society is one of the world’s oldest and largest women’s organizations, with nearly seven million members in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It provides spiritual and temporal relief to women and their families worldwide, focused on increasing faith, strengthening families, and providing compassionate service under the motto "Charity Never Faileth."  

 

Heavenly Father has guided our lives to this point. He has in many ways made sure we were challenged and tested. We have been prepared. He knows us. He has watched over us. He knows what we’ve been through and has helped us EVERY STEP of the way. He knows Disciple VERY well. He knows how hard she has tried. He knows where she has failed, gotten up, and kept going. He loves her. She KNOWS He does. She is counting on Him, as well as her counselors, committee, and everyone else, to do this calling. 

 

There have been many times during the day that she looks up and says, “OH Father… and then sighs heavily. She has thought of the Savior as He sat on the hill overlooking Jerusalem and said, “Oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem” with a hen’s desire to gather and protect her chicks. Disciple has this desire. She has this love. She is thankful she knows that Heavenly Father KNOWS her. Her weaknesses and strengths. 

 

Onward and upward we go. We don’t know what the future holds, but we have survived the past. We can do this. ALL of us in The Hermitage are as prepared as we can be. We are watchful. We’ve been challenged and dared before. 

 

Meet your challenges. Go for it. Push forward with a steadfast faith in Christ. He is there, watching and pulling for you. Disciple KNOWS this!!! We love you all!