Good afternoon Randy,
I am glad it is getting better.
You are right about the sequence of events. Yikes.
Could you please send me a copy of the latest version of your WordPress theme / child theme via a link to a .zip file link (stored Dropbox or Google Drive) so that I can run some tests on my end ? I recommend a private reply for that purpose.
Please ensure you are using the latest files as found on your actual website.
This way I will get access to any updates or customizations you might have made.
As per your second question, yes it is possible to have that in a maintenance-free way.
What you need to do is follow this guide: https://theeventscalendar.com/knowledgebase/change-photo-view-to-equal-height-grid/
Best regards,
Geoff B.