March Madness

It's really happening--we are moving. I know, I know, you've heard that before. This time, the selling process is far enough along that I have finished the packing that I started two years ago. 

So the Gales are off on another adventure. 

This move marks one of those important junctures in life:

The Empty Nest

We are ever so happy that the baby of the family is going to BYU and he is ever so happy that he gets to launch into life right as we are uprooting again. He is planning to room with Sam in Provo this summer and then move into the dorms in the Fall.

Speaking of Sam, his release date is June 1st!

 Elder Gale will be coming home to a new home and ward. 

That new home and ward will be in Utah. Another interesting turn of events for the Gale Fam!

We realized that employment was going to require that Andy travel to serve on boards for various companies and the end result of the job he has is to sell the company and send him somewhere else. So we decided to set up a home base in a place where we can live the life we choose--having children and grandchildren around and in a place that is easier to travel to for those that are further out. 

My old joke about following Shane to college when he grew up is actually happening as well. 

Mama's retiring as teacher/administrator of the Gale Academy of Classical Education and going back to school. After shepherding the Gale kids through their upbringing and into college, it's time I followed through on all of my admonitions of the importance of education. 

I have already enjoyed for many years the career of my choice: Wife, Mom and Keeper of the Home. I have loved it and would not trade my years of loving, teaching and guiding our eight amazing kids for anything else. I feel very fulfilled and satisfied with the learning and growing and blessings and refining I received in this honorable endeavor. 

Now I am looking forward to being the student for a change of perspective and just for the pure love of learning. My Patriarchal blessing promises me that "knowledge of the arts and sciences shall come to you readily and you shall find success in fields of honorable endeavor." So I am going to do my part and see where that path leads. 

I have loved our time here and it was a tender mercy yesterday that I got to substitute in the Primary class of my Webelo scouts. I am such a fan of scouting and have loved being the Den Leader for the Webelos these past several months while we were in limbo. I had 10 of the most energetic, fun, smart, clever, cheerful, friendly, helpful (and sometimes courteous!) scouts you could ever hope to know. One of those scouts said to me "Sister Gale, I really liked the talk you gave today. I just really love to hear about Jesus straight from the scriptures." Another of those scouts gave the closing prayer and blessed that "Sister Gale and her family will be safe in their travels and that things will go well with their move." They have been telling me goodbye since our last Den Meeting and did so again after church. After a boy scout handshake, I told each of them I expect  great things from them and I want to hear that they got their Eagle. It warms my heart that they are sad that I am leaving--just not what I expected from ten year olds. 

With their faith and well-wishes, we will be just fine. 

In Honor of Independence Day: A Little Local History

(I love how the one wispy cloud in the sky looks like smoke coming out of the chimney)

I spent a quiet Sunday afternoon touring the Newtown Historical Society's headquarters. The Matthew Curtiss Jr. House built around 1750. 

This is the sampler of Mary Louise Clark, age 9. 

Made in July 1829

This one was done by Catharine E. Sawyer, in the 8th year of her age.

It says: "Behold my work see what I've done

Forget me not when I am gone"

A sweet baby cradle. 

Matthew Curtiss Jr. had 12 children and a later occupant of the house had 15 children

so the cradle was put to good use.

Matthew Curtiss lived at the time of the Revolution and the surrounding areas were strong and open abut their loyalty to  England and the crown. Newtown had a large group of Tories as well and they stayed active throughout the war. But Matthew Curtiss was elected an officer of the local militia and formed a company of militiamen. They collected food, clothing and other supplies for the Connecticut troops in the Continental Army. Connecticut was so effective in obtaining provisions that it became known as the "Provisions State". Even at Valley Forge, Connecticut troops did not suffer from lack of food and clothing that other troops did. On March 31, 1776 George Washington wrote Governor Trumbull from Valley Forge:

"Among the troops returning unfit for duty for want of clothing, none of your State are included. The care of your legislature in providing clothing and necessaries of all kinds for their men is highly laudable and reflects the greatest honor upon their patriotism and humanity."

Because of the strong patriotism in the new state and its concern about the lingering Toryism, in 1777 the General Assembly of Connecticut required that an oath of fidelity be taken by every officeholder and freeman in order to be accepted as an elector. The town records of Newtown show that the oath was first administered to a few men on August 25, 1777. Among the first was Matthew Curtiss Jr. who took the oath before the town clerk, swearing to "uphold and defend if need be with his life the cause expressed as set forth in the Declaration of Independence."

He and his father Matthew Curtiss Sr., were both admitted as electors in the independent State of Connecticut. The legislature authorized the replacement of loyalist Tory officers who had neglected to perform their duties.Matthew Curtiss Jr. was appointed Lieutenant of the 16th Regiment. Their militia were called out for local emergencies such as a British raid on the salt works in Greenwich. There was also an expedition into New York but they came back without seeing any action. The war officially ended in 1783 and Newtown and Lt. Curtiss returned to domestic activities.

The house is full of interesting artifacts from Matthew Curtiss' time up through the Civil War. I enjoyed a delightful afternoon learning about local history from docents dressed in historical clothing of the Colonial time. I loved getting to know more about our local history!

 It gives me such an appreciation for the people who were courageous enough to fight for Independence and Liberty.

Happy Fourth!

One last interesting side note:

Connecticut is now know as the "Constitution State" because:

 The Fundamental Orders of 1638-39 comprised the first written constitution in history. Though this claim has been disputed by some, it remains a landmark document. It is thought that many of the features of the Federal Constitution were drawn from this document. The General Assembly designated Connecticut "The Constitution State" in 1959.

Thoughts of a Grateful Relief Society Sister

 I have been spending my time of late carrying out the responsibilities and duties of my Relief Society calling. As well as rejoicing in the blessings and opportunities to see the gospel in action. I feel especially grateful this time around for the experience gained from trial and error the last two times. I feel I should apologize to my sisters of the Camas Ward and the Ramona Oaks ward for doing so much "learning from my mistakes" at their expense. But of course I am still learning and will feel the same way after this time around.  I take comfort in knowing the Lord will make up the difference and we can all learn and grow and press forward.

I feel so much like I am dwelling amid the angels when I interact with my Relief Society sisters. Whatever our faults and shortcomings, there seems to be an overall desire to reach for our higher purpose and overcome the world. The process allows us to learn from each other as we do that. I also see over and over the compassion and empathy that are the result of life lived amid the heartache and challenge that we knew would be a part of our mortal experience. We shouted for joy at the prospect of earth life and a chance to prove ourselves, but we only knew what we were in for in theory. The reality is truly a test.

So much of what I am doing right now is personal and tender and recorded in my journal rather than here. You know some of what we have been through here in our little town in Connecticut but now we are in the healing process and I am privileged to witness that. I haven't been here a year yet, so in some ways I feel like I don't have a right to feel so deeply emotional about what happened. A few days after the shooting, we were in the kitchen at the church preparing freezer meals for the families who lost loved ones. It was a subdued version of that usually bubbly dynamic of Relief Society sisters gathered for a good cause and enjoying each other's company. A dear sister said to me with emotion in her voice and tears in her eyes, "Are you sorry you moved to our little town?" My emotions were on the surface as I answered, "No. I see all the good in the people of this little town. I get to see how good triumphs over evil."

Each time I drive through town, I see the ribbons and hearts and signs--so many tokens of love and remembrance from all over the world. I was standing in line at the bank a few days ago and noticed hearts taped up around the teller openings. Each with a drawing and a message from a little child. "You are loved." "Don't give up." I saw that they were from California--so sweet and touching--and yes, comforting.

A few weeks ago our stake had their traditional Senior Recognition Night. They held it in our chapel--an hour away from the rest of the stake. They have been offering thoughtful gestures like that for us. It was well attended anyway and President Checketts gave a very insightful and loving send-off to the youth who will be heading off to college and missions and other adventures this Fall. His remarks included an experience he had with the parents who lost their daughter in the tragedy. It was to remind us that special milestones should not be taken for granted. And also to remind us that no blessing will be withheld in the eternities and that mother would have the privilege of raising her daughter through every milestone.

As each lost child's birthday comes around, their favorite color is splashed with ribbon and balloons on fence posts and mailboxes and businesses. And each time I cry as I drive or walk past the reminders of little ones gone too soon. Time will soothe the rawness of this and we are doing what we can to help each other. I feel like our presidency meetings are giving me a PhD in counseling and therapy. I am privileged to serve with some amazing, insightful women.

And so, I just wanted to let you know that life goes on here in Newtown and in the Newtown Ward. Soon after I moved here I came to that crossroad every mother encounters when the nest is almost empty. I wondered what would be next for me and what I should do. The Lord has answered that for me and I am doing my best to fulfill the trust he has placed in me.

Our Town

We can't stop crying. The senseless killing of innocent little children and the good people who were there to teach and care for them in a small town elementary school is difficult to fathom. We haven't lived here very long but Newtown is our town. We were welcomed with open arms. We were blessed to have a church family already in place when we arrived--my visiting teacher helped me unpack before I had even attended church. The friendliness here was noticeable everywhere I went; the bank, the grocery store, the post office.   Although we had been homeschooling, I felt confident about the schools here and put our boys in the local high school while I figured out how to network and find resources to make decisions about their education.
As the reality of what was going on yesterday unfolded, a sense of horror and disbelief gripped me while I demanded that Sam: "Find Shane and get out NOW--I am picking you both up." Newtown High School is just down the road from Sandy Hook Elementary. They could hear helicopters and sirens. They saw fellow students called out of class to go to the auditorium. These were the siblings of those who were killed gathered together to hear the terrible news.

We knew that a family in our ward was waiting to hear about their daughter--a first grader. They waited with other families at the nearby Fire Station as groups of children were brought out of the school and reunited with their parents. There was no reunion for them. Their little girl was among the dead, left until the crime scene could be thoroughly analyzed. Our Stake president organized a prayer meeting last night at our ward building. Our chapel was filled with our ward family and friends and neighbors. Little Emilie's father was there too. He wanted to thank everyone for their concern and kindness. And he wanted us to know he wasn't angry. He spoke of forgiveness and the comfort his wife felt immediately after getting the terrible news, that their little girl was safe in the arms of her loving Heavenly Father. We who went to show support and some small measure of comfort to them, were instead comforted by a grieving father who understands eternal truths.

There is a beautiful sense of community here--I enjoyed the Labor Day parade on our little Main Street. The Newtown Turkey Trot brought a big turnout of runners and encouragers. The tree lighting ceremony in Ram Pasture is a beautiful tradition in Newtown. Everything here seems to be historical and quaint and idyllic. Driving down the roads of this town at this time of year is like driving through a picture-perfect Christmas card.   Superstorm Sandy brought us together as we endured a week without power. We got daily phone calls from our First Selectman (who happens to be a woman) updating us on the efforts to get power restored and roads cleared and informing us of places to charge phones and where to get clean water. She ended each phone call with a reassuring, "Stay safe. Goodnight Newtown." And I thought, "I love this town."

This senseless tragedy is drawing our community even closer together. Our sense of feeling sheltered out here in this little town in the woods has been shattered momentarily. On the news I heard "This town is 300 years old and this is probably the worst thing that has ever happened in this town."  It will take some time but faith and hope will see us through. We cancelled our ward Christmas party today. It is an annual event that includes a Nativity play and music put on by our Primary children. Sweet Emilie was to be an angel for the play.

Seeing the outpouring of love and concern and sympathy--

knowing that every parent feels the loss and every human with a heart is touched by the tragedy--

Today,

 Newtown, Connecticut

Our Town...

 is Everytown

Musings of a New New Englander

Gentle Reader,
I have been remiss in keeping up with posts about  the many goings on in these parts. I have started and left unfinished several riveting posts... such as:

A silly, yet informative tutorial on How To De-Skunk a Dog.

Complete with photo illustrations.

A collection of beautiful...

and interesting...

and odd 

sights seen whilst on my daily wanderings about the neighborhood.

Including this house built in 1690. 

A post about a funny note that the Truthist left for us on his door.

The good news that Bailey and Gunner became best buds (in spite of his

lingering aura of Skunkiness)

Just a cute picture of the ever-adorable Norah--

who liked Gunner all along.

And the interesting side-note that we are living

in Winnie-the-Pooh's neighborhood.

I may still finish those and post them if they don't get too far past their freshness date. But in the meantime, I have a list of some observations I have made about our new surroundings:

1. I no longer make the mistake of going up Cod Fish Hill Road instead of staying on Dodgingtown Road when I am on my way home from the church. But I always smile as I drive by Cod Fish Hill Road.

There is definitely a British feel in road and town names.

2. I have a new friend who gave me these directions to her house: take Cemetery, then Flat Swamp. Next turn onto Poor House and the next road is ours. You have to give the Colonists credit for being clear--if a little depressing, when it came to naming their roads. 

3. I love the accents here. I sometimes forget to pay attention to what is actually being said because I am thinking--"He sounds like John F. Kennedy." or "Is she from New York? Oh yeah, New York is just a few miles from here."

4. The school nurse has a full-on Connecticut accent and Sam has had to go to her a couple of times when he was feeling sick. Later at the dinner table, he gives a complete re-inactment with a spot-on impersonation.

"Oh, youah face is  flushed, commeah and let me take youah tempacha."

I'm sure they get a kick out of our odd western accent so I mean this as a celebration of regional differences and in the most loving way. And in the interest of full disclosure, sometimes Sam reads during family scripture time with that accent and we have to put a stop to it in order to maintain the dignity--but he is very good at it.

5.  I love that school is dismissed for Jewish holidays. Not just because it's a break but because it has prompted me to look up the meanings of Rosh Hashanah  and Yom Kippur. I have a greater appreciation for the meaning behind their holy days and I hope the boys do too.

6. The roads here are, as described by another transplant "spaghetti roads". They wind and meander and no two meet up exactly at a so-called intersection.  They all remind me of Forest Home Road for any of my Camas readers. They are over arched by beautiful trees and it feels like I am driving in a tunnel of greenery wherever I go. I'm still a bit surprised when I come out of the leafy reverie into a shopping area. It's like Target or Costco was plopped down in the middle of a forest.

7. There has definitely been a change in seasons. I am enjoying jacket and sweater weather for the first time since we left the Northwest. It was a warm and humid summer and then one morning, I let the dog out and there was a crisp, nip in the air. Fall is here. The leaves are changing and it is spectacular. Even the Truthist is somewhat excited about the seasons changing. He almost got a little--dare I say--giddy, talking about cozy winter evenings by the fire. 

8. I like that shopping carts are called "carriages". It sounds so elegant. 

9. I love that there are American flags everywhere around here. I thought it was just a July thing when we first moved here a few days before the 4th,  but they are still up on almost every telephone/power pole and on many mailboxes and at every important building. Our town is famous for its giant flag pole--100 feet tall-- right in the middle of the street in the middle of town.

10. I love the people here. Our ward has been friendly and kind to us. We've been invited to Sunday dinners and enjoyed the company of good, stalwart families with stories of living overseas and other adventures. Everywhere I go I have met interesting and talkative people. I thought New Englanders were aloof but I haven't seen that. Maybe the more rural Connecticut is different. 

So, those are my rambling thoughts on our adventures. We are off to New Jersey this weekend to visit our son and his family and take a little jaunt into Philly. The Dead Sea Scrolls are on exhibit there and we plan to take that in as well as any other history we can squeeze into our trip. I promise to take pictures and get that into a post.

Eventually

Wait! Is August Over Already?

Gentle Reader,
So, here we are on the other side of the continent. We moved from sea to shining sea. A few weeks ago I went to a tag sale--that's what they call garage sales here--not far from where we live. I thought it would be  a good way to get to know some people in the neighborhood. It's lovely that every home is surrounded by a few acres of yard, but it makes it difficult to chat with your neighbors when you are all separated by rolling lawns and forests. The couple at the tag sale were very friendly--they told me they had grown up in Connecticut. Everyone I talk to is amazed that we would trade sunny California for what will soon be frigid Connecticut. I told her we had lived in the Pacific Northwest for many years and we were used to a cooler climate--though snow would be a new experience. I told her I was looking forward to Fall and the change of seasons.  "You have lived in some of the most beautiful places on earth! How lucky you are! I am sure you will just continue to live a very blessed life!" my new neighbor gushed. I had heard that New Englanders are a bit reserved--she certainly shattered that stereotype.

I am not going to argue with her conclusion...

Some of the local flora in our back yard

This flowering Butterfly Bush in our front yard certainly lives up to its name!

Every day when I walk past it to get the mail, dozens of pretty butterflies are flitting around it.

Gunner has adapted to his new environment--he traded in crushed granite for grass.

Here's a favorite spot down the road from us

A place to get amazing ice cream and enjoy it whilst gazing out at the cows

We stopped by for a Back to School treat

Shane doesn't like his picture taken so this will have to suffice

We are preparing for the chilly winters here with a woodstove to keep us cozy.

 I finally got my dream come true library in this house.

And I finally got all of the books on the shelves.

Another preparation for a cozy winter.

P.S. I got the wicker-bottom chairs at my friendly neighbor's garage--I mean TAG--sale:

They are the perfect addition to round out the seating at our craigslist table.

Getting to Know our New Town

So, we moved to a new town called...

...Newtown

But new in this case is relative. The church you see there was built in 1720.

Back when the town really was new. The town was founded in 1709.

This is another very old church right across the street.

Here you see our two daughters and adorable grandson

gazing upon the local library.

Which is also a museum.

We loved this cool old bike.

And really love this quote posted near it.

This is the Newtown Historical Society.

Appropriately housed in a very old house.

I will have to go take the tour to find out just how old.

We took a little stroll along main street  and enjoyed the beautiful old homes.

I really love the detail of this fence and mailbox.

We enjoyed a delicious lunch at the General Store.

Then we headed back home..

...to enjoy more entertainment courtesy of 

this little guy.