Continuing with my penchant of looking and finding vanity car plates, I was on the lookout during our recent road trip. Here's a few seen on Prince Edward Island, Canada.
These were seen during our road travels in Maine.
Now, that I have started looking for these personalized plates, it seems there's no shortage of them whether on the roadways or in parking lots. And, it can be challenging to figure out the meaning of some.
Like many of you, I too am unsure about the meaning of so many often seen as it seems every vehicle owner has his or her own agenda in creating a plate. Several above maybe are easier to figure out: Crazy Nan (CRZYNAN), Bizarre (BZCR), sports team fan? (CUBS1). These are just a guess on my part, maybe you have other thoughts.
Warm weather has arrived, and our exterior apt decor is ready for summer as well 🏖️
Yes, we're back home in Nashua, NH, after a 14-day road trip and thankfully we had great weather all along the route. Patrick's Jeep logged 4,500 miles on our travels from NH to Maine then to Canada and back again. We found out that our U.S. Passport cards did work at the border crossings. We also had our passports with us (just in case).
This road trip was a celebration of sorts — the 27th 🥂 anniversary of our first date in May 1997. We celebrated that event on a 2-day stop in Bar Harbor, ME, that included a visit to Acadia National Park. The park contains Cadillac Mountain, which is the tallest mountain on the U.S. Atlantic Coast. Here we walked on exposed granite domes and glacial erratics. The views at this summit are so popular in season that reservations are needed to drive up; luckily, our visit was a week before the start of reservations.
While in Maine, we visited with former VA neighbors and friends, who relocated to Brunswick, a few years before we also relocated to New England. They showed us an nature preserve where daffodils, forget me nots and daffodils were in colorful bloom.
In addition to seeing many new-to-us places, we enjoyed a first-time meet-up with blog friends in Canada, a wonderful experience and we're glad that they were available to meet us on this trip.
Thanks to Rain, who we met in Saint John, New Brunswick, at the Reserving Falls. This very unique location will be posted about later. You can find Rain's recipes and artwork at https://www.rainfrancescreations.com.
Also, thanks to Marie and Rick, who not only met us where they live on Prince Edward Island, but showed us some of their favorite walking places and shared an outdoor picnic lunch The above photos were taken on one of our excursions. While no photos of our meet-up will be posted here, you can see Marie's wonderful nature shots at https://islandmusingswithmarie.blogspot.com.
Here in New England, we are most familiar with grey squirrels and on another walk with Marie and Rick, we were introduced to the red squirrel. These were very used to humans bearing treats in the form of unshelled peanuts. This species range includes most of Canada, the southern half of Alberta and the southwestern coast of British Columbia; the southern half of Alaska; the Rocky Mountains area of the U.S. and northern half of the eastern U.S. I've never seen one here in Nashua, NH.
As anyone who has been away for a few days or longer knows, homecoming brings the usual litany of laundry, grocery shopping, cleaning and bill paying 😟 — all of which we've been doing. As Dorothy famously said in the 1939 film,The Wizard of Oz —There's no place like home. We wholeheartedly concur with that sentiment.
There were other highlights of this trip; however, the joy of meeting fellow bloggers was the biggest. Both meet-ups were wonderful and highly recommended if you're ever traveling and get a similar chance — just do it !
Future posts will highlight more of our travels. Thanks to all for the well wishes.
When you gotta go, it won't be here as this one is locked and blocked — double security.
This site is the pocket park being constructed near the mill apts. To make sure the portable toilet won't be used by non-construction workers, a padlock wasn't enough, so this excavator blocked entry. Unfortunately, homeless people have been known to encamp in unsecured toilets.
Enjoy Your Weekend, Everyone
We're currently in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Last fall, we were in a group that traveled abroad on a Shades of Ireland tour, focused on that country. Befitting the trip name, a major portion of our travel was an 8-day motor coach tour through Ireland. A previous post highlighted a couple of Ireland's most notable features, its green colors and castles This one spotlights one of its best known imports — Waterford Crystal.
Waterford, an Irish brand dating back to 1783, is celebrated worldwide for its crystal products. Renowned for meticulous craftsmanship and innovative designs, its luxury crystal pieces are featured in the most prestigious events and households.
Waterford Crystal was first established in 1783 on land adjacent to Merchants' Quay in the heart of the harbor town of Waterford, near the present day House of Waterford Crystal. It was founded by brothers George and William Penrose, who opened the first glassmaking factory in Waterford, where their crystal was immediately recognized for its clarity and purity of color. They enjoyed success into the 1800s. In 1853 after 70 years of operating, the Penrose brothers' glass making factory was forced to close.
What most folks don't know is that Waterford Crystal isn't made mainly in Ireland, but has been outsourced to Eastern European countries. Most Waterford crystal is produced in countries including Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Germany. Waterford is still at the forefront of exquisitely designed, expertly crafted creations.
The House of Waterford is Waterford’s flagship store, located in the heart of Waterford city in Ireland. It showcases the company's key values of craftsmanship and lets visitors to experience the beauty of Waterford from initial concept to final product.
This location contains a manufacturing facility that melts over 750 tons of crystal a year and produces more than 45,000 pieces annually using traditional methods. The visitor center has the world's largest collection of Waterford Crystal.Since its June 2010 opening, over 1 million people have visited the facility on guided factory tours. This was one of the optional excursions on our tour.
The first stop on the tour was the mold room which highlighted the ancient art of mold making. Master Blowers shape molten crystal with the use of wooden molds and hand tools, a technique that has remained unchanged through centuries.
Waterford's Master Craftsmen possess exceptional talent. Each must complete an 8-year apprenticeship to learn each skill required for the production process before mastering these techniques through decades of perfection. (This video provides a detailed look at the process; you can skip the beginning ad.) The hand craftsmanship, precision skill and artistic excellence of these craftsmen are core components to transform raw materials into luxury crystal. Interestingly, all were male; no females were seen throughout the factory tour, aside from those in the retail showroom. (An online search failed to find information on whether any females were apprenticed.)
After a display of molds, the tour continued to the blowing area, where crystal shapes were formed using molds. Master Blowers, as shown above, transformed glowing balls of crystal into shapes before putting them in a 1400-degree furnace.
Crystal is inspected at each stage of production to ensure that each piece meets exacting standards. There are six inspection areas; only pieces meeting the standards advance to the next stage of production. Failed items are crushed and melted with other crystal making ingredients.
Next came the most interesting area, at least to myself, the marking department is where crystal was marked with a temporary geometric grid to assist a Master Cutter to cut the pattern onto the crystal. We learned that each crystal piece is cut strictly from memory, the lines act as a guideline for precision and accuracy.
The cutting department is where Master Cutters apply many of the skills learned in their extensive apprenticeship. Amazingly, each pattern must not only be learned but memorized by the cutter during the training, no matter how detailed. Both skill and dexterity are needed to cut patterns. Exact pressure must be applied to make the cut without damaging the integrity of the piece.
The sculpting department is where pieces of crystal created by the Master Sculptors start out as solid blocks of crystal. Here, Master Craftsmen add intricate detail onto the crystal with sculpting wheels, which transforms blocks of crystal into elegant shapes and figures.
Some examples of sculpting designs
The Master Engraver uses copper wheels to engrave intricate designs onto trophies and limited-edition pieces. This process can take days to complete dependent on the design size and complexity. The type of copper wheel engraving used at Waterford Crystal is called Intaglio, meaning reverse. The deeper the engraving on the crystal, the more prominent and pronounced the detail.
Crystal available for sale in the retail store
The tour ends, as most do, in a shopping area. This 12,000 square feet retail store gives visitors a chance to remember their visit by a purchase to take or ship home. The retail store represents Waterford's entire catalogue of luxury crystal, including an exhibition of world sports trophies. There was no special sales/discount display here.
No purchases made there; however, on another day, I bought this piece of Waterford made of glass instead of crystal, but much more affordable.
Waterford penguin in glass
You can readily see why this piece held a certain appeal. It now has a prominent place on one of our living room bookcases.
It was quite interesting to read everyone's comments on the "What is This" construction shown on the most recent post (Friday Funnies) and below.
There was some very interesting feedback. The most popular "guesses" were some sort of walkway/promenade followed by handicapped ramp and even one for a wheelchair races ramp (thanks, David G.) and mini railway (thanks, Boud) and boat dock (thanks, Erika). Several folks admitted that they had no idea.
Yes, this will be a ramp for handicapped access and replaces a metal stairway that had previously been in its place, but was not as long.
Handicap ramp under construction near Cotton Mill apartments
It is adjacent to the Cotton Mill apartment building which is directly across the Nashua River from Clocktower Place mill apartments. Construction is expected to take two years to complete.
This bridge over the Nashua River connects the two mill apartment buildings and is also a walkway for the river walk. This ramp under construction is the second ramp; the first one is shown below.
Ramp and stairway near Clocktower Place apartments
This ↑ ramp and a metal stairway are next to Clocktower Place apartments. Instead of being a straight run, the ramp is a switchback type as there is an access road behind it.
The new ramp is not the only construction that's been going on in the mill yard area in recent weeks. The pocket park area known as Le Parc De Notre Renaissance Française, popularly called French Park or Renaissance Park, is undergoing a complete transformation. A pocket park is a small park accessible to the general public. The locations, elements, and uses of pocket parks vary, the common defining characteristic of a pocket park is its small size.
Start of construction in Renaissance Park
The first photo above was taken soon after work started and the second photo a day later shows the brickwork, sidewalk and asphalt being taken out.
The boxed item in the photos is this ↑ sculpture (La Dame de Notre Renaissance Française) created by Christopher R. Gowell of a young mill worker and her son. It stood in the center of the park and has been boxed up for protection during reconstruction.
Ongoing construction work at Renaissance Park
The above photo shows what the site looked like last weekend. We will be away for a couple of weeks on our first road trip of 2024 and expect it will look much different by the time we're home.
A conceptual design of a renovated Renaissance Park
According to project plans, the renovations to Renaissance Park will include a permanent performance space and more recreational opportunities.The projects are part of the Downtown Riverfront Master Plan, which is part of the Imagine Nashua Master Plan. Estimates of the total cost of the renovation projects ranges from $13.6 million to $19 million.
Living so close to this renovated park, a short walking distance from the mill apartments, we're looking forward to its completion, hopefully within the next few months.
We're away on our first 2024 road trip, which will include stays in Maine (Brunswick and Bar Harbor) before continuing to Saint John in New Brunswick and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada. In ME, we'll re-connect with former VA friends and celebrate our 1st date anniversary (27 years ago). In Canada, we're meeting fellow bloggers for the first time. While I'll be reading blog posts while on our travels; commenting will be limited until we return home. Any blogger(s) within these areas, who are interested in meeting, please contact us via the blog email as we're checking email along the way.
1835 Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashua cemetery.
We toured a local historic cemetery over the weekend. No, we didn't hear any voices or see any spirits, but learned about the history of Nashua, NH, and some of its notable residents through 18 re-enactors dressed in period attire.
Notable Nashuans: Voices from the Past was designed, hosted and conducted by the Nashua Historical Society as a journey through Nashua history within the grounds of the 1835 Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashua cemetery.
Nashua Historical Society logo
This wasn't a spooky, haunted or interactive tour, but a historical one. Its purpose was to present information on the lives and legacies of some of Nashua' most notable residents who played pivotal roles in shaping the city's identity, from community leaders to many others. It offered participants a glimpse into bygone eras while standing near their final resting places.
As non-natives of Nashua, NH, we appreciated learning more about its history. And, as members of the Nashua Historical Society, we attend as many of these events as possible.
Founded in 1870, The Nashua Historical Society is a volunteer run, independent, non-profit organization which receives no operating support from the state or the City of Nashua. The Historical Society's motto is Preserving the Past for the Future. In support of this, the society collects, preserves and interprets materials related to Nashua history.
Partial view of Unitarian Universalist cemetery
The cemetery, located behind the Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashua was developed in 1835 when the city's founding fathers, many who were church members, realized they would need a place to be buried. As a result, many of Nashua’s prominent families were buried in the cemetery which now holds much of the city's history.
The Unitarian Church was formed in 1827 as the First Congregational Society in Dunstable, now Nashua, NH, and many of Nashua's founding civic leaders attended it. Congregationalism in the U.S. consists of Protestant churches in the Reformed tradition that have a congregational form of church government and trace their origins mainly to Puritan settlers of colonial New England. The First Universalist Society was founded in 1818. During the 1830s, the two congregations worshiped together before merging.
Re-enactors portrayed notable Nashua residents of the past
The tour consisted of two timed loops at 1 and 3 pm, participants could select one or both (as we did). Volunteer re-enactors adorned in period attire were stationed at nine selected cemetery plots along each of the two tour loops. Going on both tours, we saw and heard 18 re-enactors. Each location featured vignettes about the person, spoken as if they were able to be here to share their stories.
Before beginning the tours, participants were able to view several funerary items courtesy of a local funeral home. The items on display were an 1840s sleigh hearse, antique Gleason cooling table and a vintage transfer basket.
Cooling table produced by B.F. Gleason company
The cooling table was a perforated wooden platform on which a dead body would be temporarily stored and prepared for a funeral. Ice was placed beneath it to keep the body chilled and to slow the decomposition process. The tables were also used for the embalming procedure when the holes acted as drainage during the preservation and removal of liquids.
Ad for Gleason table (Internet source)
B. F. Gleason of Brockport, NY, sold these folding, portable cooling tables countrywide. The tables folded up small for transport. During the Victorian era, funerals would have been held within the home of the deceased who more often died at home where their body would remain until interment. This type of cooling table would have been placed over large blocks of ice and cool air would go through holes in the table to preserve the body.
Wicker coffin or transfer basket
Wicker coffins or transfer baskets were used to store bodies before being they were moved for burial or while waiting for a doctor to pronounce the individual dead. In the Victorian era and post Civil War these coffins were used for viewings, where guests would come to pay final respects to the deceased while the body was placed in the coffin “on view.” Wicker coffins were used up until the 1930s for removing bodies from crime scenes, before bodybags became associated with that task. There’s a current movement in funerals towards “natural” burial options that include wicker coffins.
A sleigh hearse for winter funerals
The sleigh hearse was something we had never seen before but, since this is New England, it seems that it was very practical for funerals held in winter weather.
Re-enactor at cemetery tour
The condition of the cemetery walkways required caution with uneven terrain and some steep steps. Participants were advised in advance that they should be able to stand for an hour or more The tour was not wheelchair accessible and proper footwear was encouraged as well.
Abbot headstone
Funds raised by The Nashua Historical Society from this event will be used for ongoing efforts to preserve the memory of Daniel Abbot considered to be the Father of Nashua because of his many contributions to the city.
For many years, Abbot was the most prominent resident in Nashua, NH. Born in MA, he graduated from Harvard, studied law and was a fellow student of Daniel Webster. A leader in town affairs and politics, he served as the first president of the Nashua and Lowell Railroad, president of the Wilton Railroad, first president of the Nashua Bank and was an officer of other city banks.
Abbot was also a co-founder and first president of the Nashua Manufacturing Company, now Clocktower Place Apartments where we currently reside. Hewas one of the chief supporters of the Unitarian Universalist Church. In 1804, he moved into a home on the corner of what is now known as Abbot Street.
Views of re-enactors and tour participants
We enjoyed this historical tour which highlighted many of the historical Nashua names we have heard about and especially the connections to Nashua Manufacturing Company. This June, the Nashua Historical Society will be unveiling a new exhibit titled World War II in Nashua — The Home Front and Beyond. We're looking forward to attending that event; the historical society always gives an excellent and informative series of presentations.
Your Turn — Do you have a similar historical society in your area?
Maybe not, but it seems that's what's happened to some folks judging from these photos of lost footwear, all taken over the past few months. Several were found in Nashua, NH, most in other locations while out and about.
All of these images were taken in situ (original place) with no manipulation by me to pose the footwear. Where they were discarded or lost is exactly how they are presented, whether perched on a large rock or leaning by a tree as shown below. Several seemed to be in fairly good condition, which only added to the question of why discarded?
It's not only footwear in the form of shoes that were found, but some misplaced sandals too, including a mateless one that was floating in the nearby Nashua River.
But. these discarded boots made me recall a 1966 tune popularized by the daughter of a legendary vocalist. Can you name the song and songstress?
Did you guess, These Boots are Made for Walking ? A tune written by Lee Hazelwood and recorded by Nancy Sinatra? It charted in January 1966 going to number one on both the U.S. and UK charts. The song title was said to have come from the line, They tell me them boots ain't built for walkin', said by Frank Sinatra (Nancy's dad) in the 1963 comedy-western 4 for Texas.
The story goes that Hazlewood had planned to record the song claiming it was not a girl's song. Ms. Sinatra reported told him that it was perfect for a little girl (namely her) to sing. Her recording was done with the help of LA session musicians, the Wrecking Crew including Chuck Berghofer on double bass. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company used portions of the song for its 1960s ad campaign promoting "wide boots" tires. Nancy Sinatra unsuccessfully sued Goodyear, claiming that it had violated her publicity rights. In 2020, it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
I re-watched the Boots songs music video which (thankfully) will not be included in this post. Trust me if you've seen it, you will thank me for this exclusion.
Instead, here's the final very exuberant scene from an all time favorite of mine (maybe you as well), the 1984 film, Footloose, which featured many dancing shoes. This film was a box office success and the year's seventh highest-grossing ($80 million). The title song by Kenny Loggins was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song losing out to I Just Called To Say I Love You from the romantic comedy The Woman In Red.
In a comment, David G. said he didn't understand why shoes were often tossed over power lines and neither do I. Checking online, one of the most common urban legends is that it marks gang territory or a location where drugs are sold/bought. But, there's no proof that this is true. Other explanations range from memorializing someone who has died to celebrating a job, promotion or graduation. Certainly, someone, somewhere has tossed shoes over power lines for perhaps one of these reasons, but no one is sure about any one specific reason.
Enjoy Your Weekend, Everyone
We''ll be on a historic cemetery tour with the Nashua Historical Society
