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Monday, August 15, 2022

At Home & Good News

At Home refers to where we've been the past few weeks in Nashua, NH, catching up and watching views like this from our apt LR window. The Good News is at the end of this post. 

From time to time, it's necessary to do a post like this to update things that have been posted about before to finish the story. Also, to show what's been happening at our home, even if small things. This is a catch-up post on several older ones and recent photos too.
Several recent posts focused on the week spent in Maine for Grenville's birthday including visits to the Penobscot Narrows Bridge Observatory, Fort Knox, the L.L. Bean bootmobile and, our introduction to Maine's official soft drink, Moxie, which we've been enjoying at home. There's more to post from that visit, including a story of two famous boats, but that's later.

Like other places, there was a couple weeks of very hot weather. Temps in the mid 90s for a couple of weeks is so not New England summer. That said, the heat wave provided several colorful sunset skies like this one. Sometimes, sunsets are bland and without much detail. Other times, they are nothing short of spectacular and we marvel at views like this one.
Our 5th floor apt window faces the Nashua River, the highest view in the mill apts
We've stayed home since late July, but this coming weekend we're off on a short NH getaway for a special celebration—our 22nd 🥂 wedding anniversary. Some folks may recall that in 2020, we'd booked a Canadian rail trip with Rocky Mountaineer for our 20th. That excursion was scrapped due to you-know-what. It took forever, as in a very long time, to get the $3,100 trip deposit refunded. RM wouldn't issue a refund, only credit for future travel. The travel agency was no help, finally got the refund after filing a complaint and supporting information with the credit card company. Needless to say, there's no plans for a future RM trip or using that agency.

Both of these views are towards downtown Nashua, NH, from our apt
Despite the amazing views through our apt windows, we still like to getaway and with major travel plans on hold now, staying close to home is the plan. And, why not, since there's so much to see and do in New England. Fall colors are on the way, great for weekday escapes. 

There's no shortage of blog post topics, and I've actually have a backlog for a couple of reasons: not blogging daily plus spending more time to learn more about topics that interest me—maybe you as well. As readers of this blog know, I enjoy sharing lots of details.

Thanks for your comments on so many of my posts. While I don't reply in the blog, know that all comments are read and appreciated, even those who have taken me to task for errors.
Kayakers on the Nashua River as viewed from a 5th floor window
Speaking of window views, this past weekend, the second people-powered lighted boat parade of the summer season was held on the Nashua River. A lot of folks gathered river side as we did for a previous event in June. This time, the view from our 5th floor windows provided a better overall view of the estimated 50 boaters. As I no longer own any long-zoom digital camera equipment, these photos were taken with the 10X zoom of my now-older cell phone.
The boat parade started before dusk and ended an hour or so later
Boaters circled each of the two river fountains twice and then paddled under the Main Street bridge before turning around and heading back. The turnaround is because a hydroelectric facility and Jackson Mills dam just beyond the bridge prevent ny further river travel. 
The Dept. of Public Works maintains the plantings on Main Street in Nashua, NH
An earlier July post showed some of the seasonal plantings around downtown Nashua. This collage shows more of the plantings along Main Street. The top left photo shows Nashua City Hall.
Two of our fellow 5th floor residents handle the care of this pocket park garden
Flowers continue to thrive in the French Park (formal name Le Parc de Notre Renaissance Francaise), a pocket park along the Nashua River walk. We take this route regularly on after-dinner walks, temporarily suspended in the wake of oppressively hot weather. Following cooler temps that came in the past week, we've resumed these walks. The Canada goose families posted about in June have finally left the area and walkways are clearer now 😉
Just one of several community gardens in Nashua, NH
Nashua has several urban community gardens in eight neighborhoods throughout the city. This garden is downtown near the post office
Priority is given to Nashua families without sufficient access to fresh foods or a place to grow them. The gardens are in neighborhoods that qualify as food deserts (no fresh produce stores within walking distance). Participation is free. Vegetables are grown in raised beds Grow Nashua provides seeds, water, nutrients and planting education throughout the growing season. 
More lass and siding have been installed since these photos were taken
Work continues to move along on the Nashua Center for the Arts described in this June post with completion set before year-end. This photo was taken a couple of weeks ago and, since then, windows and siding have been added. We're looking forward to attending performances in this venue, especially as it's within walking distance of the mill apartments, so no parking issues.

Finally, there's a good great for us update. It's about taxes or rather getting money back from taxes paid.

Earlier posts (April and late June) explained lamented that, like a lot of others, we were still waiting an income tax refund—on our 2020 filing. After many calls, in June we finally met with an IRS (Internal Revenue Service) agent, who reviewed the file. We were told to expect resolution within 12 weeks, towards the end of September and advised not re-contact IRS before then.

No follow-up is needed because late last week, Grenville received an email that our $3,300 refund had been processed and (ready) the check was in the mail. Interest is expected for the delay. The Catch-22 is that we'll get a 1099 form requiring it to be reported for 2022 tax filing.

That's it folks, a post with a lot of catching up and news of good things coming as well.

Looney Tunes©
FYI The origin of the phrase, that's all folks, comes from the Warner Brothers Looney Tunes cartoon series popular in the 1930s-1940s that featured cartoon characters such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, and Elmer Fudd. Although it was usually Porky Pig who brought the Looney Tunes films to a close by stuttering the memorable phrase, Th-th-th-that's all folks! 

Bugs Bunny later replaced Porky Pig by bursting through a drum too, but munching on a carrot and saying, in a Bronx/Brooklyn accent, And Dat's De End!

27 comments:

Anvilcloud said...

What a colourful parade of kayaks.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I am glad that you were finally able to get your money back, Beatrice. I had less success with United Airlines and lost $1,500 when my flights to Australia were cancelled in 2020 in the early days of COVID. All they would offer me was a travel voucher that had to be used by a date that didn't align with any travel plans I had during a pandemic. Furthermore, even if I had travelled, the original itinerary was Toronto - Houston - Sydney. Not long after making the reservation it was changed to Toronto - Houston - Chicago - Los Angeles - Sydney. With the additional layovers, which I wanted to avoid anyway, it meant that I would lose an entire day. And that assumes everything ran on schedule, a highly unlikely scenario. No wonder my wife has declared that if ever we feel comfortable enough to fly again she refuses to go anywhere that is not a direct flight. I'm inclined to agree with her!

Vee said...

Some gorgeous sunset views. All of your photography is pleasing. Yes, why go anywhere when you have so much right here in New England. People come to us!

My name is Erika. said...

You do have beautiful views from your window. I wonder where your short road trip will be, but Happy Anniversary is called for. 22 years is worth celebrating. And I must also say congrats on the tax refund too. Have a great week. hugs-Erika

MadSnapper said...

your home would be perfect for a housebound person, the last five years of my mothers life, she never went out except to doctors/hospitals. with a veiw like this who could ever be bored. glad you got the trip money and the tax money back. go figure on the putting it on the tax 1099.

Linda G. said...

I do love the view from your apartment. We, too, had difficulty with our tax return. They gave us only part of our return, saying we didn’t qualify for the remaining money. Well we DID qualify. After a few telephone calls and faxs sent, we convinced the IRS that we were entitled to the money, that we had filed our taxes correctly.

NewRobin13 said...

You have the most beautiful views there. I love all these photos. Wonderful sky shots and the river so colorful with kayakers. Wow!

DUTA said...

Congratulations on your wedding anniversary!
It's a big continent, the more roadtrips, the better. It definitely enriches life, expands horizons, offers photo opportunities.

Marcia said...

Happy Anniversary! we are just back from a family vacation on Lake Ontario. But I returned with Covid! No one else seems to be affected though Dan has mild symptoms, his tests have been negative.

Lovely views of Nashua!

Jon said...

You do indeed have a great view from your window. The clouds from some of those sunsets are really spectacular. And that colorful boat parade looks so festive!

Hearing that the check is in the mail is always reassuring. Hopefully it will arrive soon!

gigi-hawaii said...

Beautiful views! We don't get such spectacular sunsets here. I only got travel vouchers after cancelling trips which I never used so my money was lost forever. I don't travel anymore due to arthritis, but I have been to 13 foreign countries so I am satisfied and contented. Never had trouble with the IRS, thank God. Take care!

mimmylynn said...

I did not know that kayaks came in so many colors. It must have been a joy to watch. Congratulations on your long-awaited 'wealth'.

Jenny Woolf said...

I'm glad you got your money back. I am still waiting for our refund from Wizz Air! I always marvel at the view from your window, it must be like looking at a different painting each day with all the weather effects and things happening on the river.

Latane Barton said...

The views from your apartment are so urban... so architectural...so interesting. I really enjoyed seeing them. And, hallelujah on that money situation being solved!

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Oh, you DO have a marvelous view from your windows! I bet it's even better in the fall! I wonder, can you see Mt. Washington from there? Maybe you are too far south. I used to look for it everywhere in NH. Surprising where you can see it from! Love the flower gardens and other gardens in your area too. And what wonderful news about your IRS refund finally coming!! Hooray!!! They sure took their sweet time about it it, but now you will have it so you can take some little trips this fall! :) Enjoy the beauty of your lovely area for me. I miss New England in the autumn so much. We keep saying we will go back one day, but I don't know when. Our IRS refund is long gone. LOL. Have a blessed rest of your week.

Jeanie said...

Definitely saving the best for last! That's terrific! Congratulations, and just in time for your getaway!

What a fun catch-up. Lots to love here but I think it was the boat parade out your window that most captivated me! What a glorious sight. And the photos of the garden are absolutely beautiful.

Bijoux said...

Pretty pictures, especially that sunset. Happy Anniversary! And great news on the refund.

I’ve also found that credit card companies can be quite helpful in disputes. I try to always pay with credit card just for that assurance.

DeniseinVA said...

Another lovely post Dorothy. Very colorful scenes on the river, especially enjoyed those nighttime shots. It's a shame your trip was cancelled but so glad you got that refund.

William Kendall said...

Lovely views.

Margaret D said...

That's a joy to finally receive your money after fighting for it - well done.
The photos are lovely, all of them.

Linda P said...

Living in Nashua must be a pleasant experience. You have so many good facilities on your doorstep. The views from your apartment of the river and sky are wonderful. The festivals that take place throughout the year look like a lot of fun.

Barbara Rogers said...

Thanks for the "catch up" of different focuses (foci?). Glad you had the 10X phone magnification - with much better resolution than my 5X phone. Great colors of sky, and loved the kayaks!

Coastal Ripples said...

Great news about the tax refund and I really enjoyed your amazing apartment views. I don’t think I’d ever leave that window with so much going on! B x

nick said...

We went on the Rocky Mountaineer some years back. Very enjoyable and thankfully without any of the issues you ran into. I like the way availability of the community gardens is firstly for those with poor access to fresh foods or no growing opportunities. The Nashua Center for the Arts looks exciting. Good to have an arts center so close to home. Re the tax refund, our government is always reluctant to dispense any money and always has to be chivvied and badgered. No doubt your government is much the same.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I enjoyed your catch-up post; doing that s a good idea ! So glad you got your $$ back from both the government and the travel (neither easy to deal with). Your views from your apartment window are wonderful (and beautifully photographed and framed). But like you two, we would still want to get away once in a while and I'm glad you have a trip planned. We're going to do another visit to our coast this weekend! Short roadtrips really are the best.

I remember Porky's th th th thats all folks very well but the Bugs farewell line must have come after I stopped going to Saturday matinees as a kid (wow, a movie, a newsreel and a cartoon -- those were the days!!)

baili said...

Glad that you guys are are back home safely my friend!

Thank you for sharing these happy news with us. What a relief to have your money back from rail company and tax company congratulations!!!

Oh it is always a joy and peace to stay at home isn't it :)

Your windows bring you such a beautiful and delightful views Wow.
The sky shots are spectacular! We haven't seen sun properly since July. Long rainy season is fully On here.
What an amazing and exciting event below in the river. I so enjoyed the glimpse of gorgeous,colorful boats.

Your city is cotributing lot for the beauty of entertainment.

Which is great.
Thanks for taking to the stunning gardens along. Loved the beautiful flowers.
Wishing you more happiness in days ahead

David said...

Beatrice, Amazing views from your apartment! Great photos... Tax refund from 2020?! Yikes...I would have lost my mind. At least you finally got it. We've never been hung up with the IRS and fingers crossed, it won't happen. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave