Many thanks to Rowie at Verizon who yesterday handled a telephone help desk call from me to Verizon fairly expeditiously (a half an hour) and very politely. She did get the Internet going as quickly as it had ever been to our location. As I was leaving the house, however, the Internet indicator light started blinking in an unfortunate way: I'm hoping I don't have to make another help desk call when I get back home.
It was also very reasonable of Verizon to offer to credit my account the equivalent of half a month for the time I was without Internet service and for the difficulties. Crossing my fingers that the service only gets better from here! Many thanks again to a tech who had the presence of mind to be both kind and quick in dealing with my complaint. I appreciate it, Rowie.