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Carla Olson Gade: Romancing the Snow

11/4/2012

 

This week we welcome Carla Olson Gade to Author Memories.

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A native New Englander, Carla Olson Gade grew up in an historic Massachusetts town and now lives in rural Maine with her husband and two young adult sons. Her love for writing and eras gone by turned her attention to writing historical Christian romance. 

Carla enjoys graphic design, photography, history, and genealogy. And she loves the snow, except when it gets dirty by the end of the winter. Throughout the years, Carla has taught workshops on Biblical topics, genealogy, writing, and adult literacy.


Romancing the Snow
by Carla Olson Gade 

Picture
Romance: 
M
arked by the imaginative or emotional appeal of what is
heroic, adventurous, remote, mysterious, or idealized.


A native New Englander, I am no stranger to snow.  As a child, I always looked forward to that first snow which seemed like a miracle to me. Catching snowflakes on my tongue as they drifted down from the heavens. Tunneling through snow banks taller than I. We made snow forts and snowmen, and would slide for hours on end down steep hills. It was always worth the long trip climbing back to the top, in snow up to our knees, just to go down one more time. When our mittens were soaked, and feet nearly frozen, we’d go in for a cup of hot chocolate, put on fresh mittens and dry socks and head back outside. We’d make snow angels and imagine that they mysteriously appeared in the unscathed landscape. Or so it seemed. Snow always made everything look fresh and new. Pure, and like a dream. A blank palette for a romantic imagination such as mine.

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“As the last belated cloud legions...were passing overhead...they
contribute a few more choice examples of snow crystal architecture
as souvenirs of the skill of the Divine Artist.”

~ Wilson A. "Snowflake" Bentley
Snow, like a story, begins with something so small and delicate and can transform into a wonderland.  Like the uniqueness of every individual snowflake, we too, have our own experiences, memories, and stories to be told. Like the times I picnicked beneath the shelter of a bowing pine covered in snow. Desiring to recreate this memory with my own sons when they were young, we took a picnic a short distance from our home following a blizzard. All bundled up, we carried a thermos of cocoa and peanut butter crackers and found a spot underneath a snowy pine. The cozy moment did not last long upon my realization that a badger was snuggled within the trunk of the tree. We let this sleepy creature lay in his wintery cocoon.
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In the 19th century, Currier and Ives gave us images of a romantic New England winters with landscapes of sloping hills of snow, ice skating, and horse drawn sleighs. With every picture, I see a story and often long to put words to the scenes portrayed. This notion is cemented for me further as my great-grandfather Amos Currier was a cousin to the famed lithographer Nathaniel Currier. I know that the scenes were often inspired by true events and the culture of rural New England that my ancestors experienced.
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"The Road, Winter", N. Currier, 1853
Another ancestral cousin, poet John Greenleaf Whittier, put imagery to pen when he wrote Snow-Bound:  A Winter Idyl in 1866. The poem recounts his childhood memories of being secluded in their stormy haven, as his family gathered by the warmth of the fireside hearth to hear legends of old, including those of our shared ancestors. Snow-Bound was one of the most popular publications of its day, lending much to the nostalgia for which good folk longed.

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All day the gusty north-wind bore
The loosening drift its breath before;
Low circling round its southern zone,
Through dazzling snow-mist shone. . .

And, when the second morning shone,
We looked upon a world unknown,
On nothing we could call our own. . .
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Carla Olson Gade: My mother and grandfather on a sleigh ride in 1942.
 “There is something soft and tender in the fall of a single snow-flake,
but when it comes out crawling out in the morning and shoveling
away a big drift, it’s ornery, mean and disgusting.”
~
G.L. Adams, The Fowlerville Review, 1879

Each generation has its own recollections,  some more romantic than others. The romance is often a myth. Nostalgia at its  best. Choosing to hold on to the best memories. Or, looking to the past to redeem a treasure from the deep. Like snow angels and sledding instead of shoveling mountains of heavy wet snow, trudging through the blizzard with a pail of water and grain to feed our horse, recalling the concussion my brother got when the toboggan slammed straight into a tree. Despite the temporary hardships that are endured by so many during nature’s most alarming furies, I must confess that to spend an evening reading by the light of an oil lamp, a candle, or the soft glow of the fireplace, kindles my imagination like nothing else. And, thus, it was for me in my 16th year, during the famed northeast “Blizzard of 1978.”
 
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Hailed the "Storm of the Century," the February blizzard dumped over 27 inches of snow on the Boston area, my family residing directly in its path. The Commonwealth was immobilized and many, like our family were left without heat, electricity, and telephone. The snow drifts were so deep that we could see but 6 inches of antenna of our car which was at the bottom of our driveway. It felt as though we were trapped inside our house, but the sun shone and we ventured outdoors to dig out after the two day storm. I recall walking uptown on the snowy streets, absent of vehicles, dragging our sled so we could return with groceries; providing any stores were open in our small community. Our historic town with clapboard homes and steepled church was clad in white. So picturesque, surreal even, like a Currier and Ives scene. And so pleasant, as many typically reserved New England neighbors greeted one another along the way. And though many were trapped on the interstate by the snowy onslaught and cities shut down for a week, I cling to my own experiences. But I could never keep from wondering how a great snow would affect those who lived in earlier times. Though their lives were not reliant on electricity and such, tremendous snow still created significant hardship . . .  and perhaps other romantic notions.
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18th century woodblock print depicting The Great Snow of 1717.
I’ll leave you with a true tale of my 9th great-grandparents Abraham Adams & Abigail Peirce who endured “The Great Snow” of 18th century Massachusetts. 
 The year 1717 “is rendered memorable, by the unusual quantity of snow, which fell on the twentieth and twenty-fourth of February. In these two storms, the earth was covered with snow, from ten to fifteen feet, and, in some places, to twenty feet, deep. Many one-story houses were covered, and, in many places, paths were dug, from house to house, under the snow. Many visits were made, from place to place, by means of snow shoes, the wearers having first stepped out of their chamber windows, on these excursions. ‘Love,’ we know, ‘laughs at locksmiths,’ and, of course, will disregard a snow-drift. Tradition informs us, that a Mr. Abraham Adams, wishing to visit his ‘ladye love,’ Miss Abigail Peirce, mounted his snow shoes, took a three miles’ walk, for that purpose, and entered her residence as he left his own, namely, by the chamber window. He was the first person the family had seen from abroad, for more than a week. Cotton Mather has left in writing a particular account of ‘the great snow,’ and the many marvels and prodigies attending it.”

(From: A Sketch of the History of Newbury, Newburyport, and West Newbury, from 1635 to 1845 By Joshua Coffin, Joseph Bartlett, 1845)

“As mighty a snow, as perhaps has been known 
in the memory of man, is at this time lying on the ground.”
~ Cotton Mather, early American preacher and historian


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Carla Olson Gade: My ancestor’s home in Newbury, MA (Spencer-Peirce-Little House, c. 1690 which was covered in snow up to the second floor in 1717. Photo courtesy: Karen Lynch. http://www.karenlynchphotos.com/
Have you ever been in a blizzard or other great snow?
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY!
Leave a comment with a valid email address by midnight, Nov 11th
to be entered to win a copy of Carla's  giveaway,
Colonial Courtships
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Colonial Courtships:
Carving a Future by Carla Olson Gade
Barbour Publishing, October 2012
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Unexpected adventure catches the Ingersoll
brothers by surprise-and brings unexpected love into their lives. Nathaniel has his sights set on becoming a master figurehead carver, until he risks everything for a woman. Jonathan's merchant trade and his new love are in jeopardy from a brother's animosity. Micah expects to settle down to peace after a life of fighting on the frontier but finds a young woman hiding from an abductor. Alden is press-ganged into tending an ailing naval captain, then catches sight of the captain's fetching niece. Will the unexpected end in four courtships?

The  novella collection begins with Carving a Future, set in 1753. Ship figurehead carver Nathaniel Ingersoll has apprenticed for many years under his Uncle Phineas and hopes to become a master ship carver in his own right. Indentured servant Constance Starling arrives on the Connecticut coast too ill for anyone to accept. Has Nathaniel jeopardized the future he has worked hard to achieve for the welfare of a weakly servant?

Excerpt: http://carlagade.com/CarvingaFutureChapter%201.pdf

Carla is the author of the Heartsongs Presents novel, The Shadow Catcher's Daughter, as well as the novella “Carving a Future” in Colonial Courtships. Carla is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. 
Connect with Carla at:
Carla's website
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Goodreads
Colonial Quills group Blog
If you are interested in ancestry, Carla invites you to check out her Genealogy blog at http://familyhistory.wordpress.com.

Anita Mae
11/4/2012 07:51:36 am

Welcome to Author Memories, Carla. I love your post - especially the way you wove your genealogy and photos into it. Great job!

And thank you for blessing one of our readers with the gift of a copy of Colonial Courtships. :)

Carla Gade link
11/4/2012 10:53:57 am

I'm so glad you gave me the opportunity to share, Anita! You have a superb blog and your Author Memories feature is so unique and special. It was fun reminiscing and writing the post.

Anita Mae
11/6/2012 06:33:37 am

Thanks, Carla. Now let's see what our guests have to say...

DebH
11/4/2012 11:53:45 am

wow Carla
you have some cool ancestral relatives. i love Currier&Ives images. There were a couple of big snowstorms when i was a kid in Colorado that brought Denver to a standstill for a couple of days. Nothing as huge as your snowed in memories, but I've always loved snow.

Winter and Christmas wasn't winter/Christmas without a good snowstorm (or at least a couple of feet of white stuff on the ground). Curling up by the light of a candle/lamp/fire in fireplace and reading a book is my idea of a wonderful cozy winter evening if the power happened to be out. Of course, now that i've got a husband, there's other cozy ideas near the fireplace that come to mind *heh*

i do hope my toddler gets a chance to enjoy snow and experience a power outage at some point when he is young. i plan to do some of the things my mom did that made the inconvenience more of an adventure.

cool post. glad i saw about it while checking my hubbys facebook page.

Carla Gade link
11/5/2012 11:18:58 am

Deb, thank you so much for stopping by. Yes, snow is awesome and Christmas isn't quite the same without it. Though I'm not a fan of extended power outages, I think it is great for everyone to experience one if only to get the feeling of what it was like in days before our modern conveniences.

Anita Mae
11/6/2012 06:36:28 am

Okay, so either you two commented before Hurricane Sandy, or it didn't affect you. I don't mind power outages in the summer since we don't have air conditioning anyway, but in the winter? No flippin' way!

But you're right about one thing - it is an experience to be lived through.

Anita Mae
11/6/2012 01:48:14 pm

Okay, after careful consideration, I have to admit that my whole rant about the power outage came out because I'm trying not to dwell on Boats and you, Deb, cuddling in front of a cozy fire. As the little kitten on the Aristocrats used to say, It's so romantic. sigh. :)

Carla Gade link
11/6/2012 02:12:08 pm

Yes, this post is all about the romance, the nostalgia. And as I said, that isn't always realistic. I hate the tragedy associated with the storms, but I'm with you both about cudding in front of a cozy fire. The only power outages I really like are for about 2 hours in the evening when candles can be lit, and before the food in the fridge gets bad, and, of course, only if any tv shows I'm recording don't get interrupted. LOL

Oh, Anita, I forgot about the Aristocrats! Thanks for the smile!

Elaine King
11/5/2012 12:46:08 am

About six years ago, we had a blizzard in my city. Thankfully, I looked outside first thing in the morning and chose to take a snow day! I couldn't see the house across the street. The way the snow blew was amazing. There were six foot drifts by one corner of the house (measured and documented by a photo of the fence beside the drift) and yet in other areas, there was no snow at all. It literally took the rest of the winter to clear the driveway. The snow on the driveway was so deep and so packed that I could only chip away a bit at a time (didn't have a snowblower then -- do now!!). Thankfully as well, we did not experience a power outage.
I too enjoyed the mingling of personal history and pictures into your post! Looks like a great book!

Carla Gade link
11/5/2012 09:14:23 am

Glad to hear you took that snow day, Elaine! I remember loving them as a kid, and as an adult! Snow drifts are amazing, aren't they? Thank you for stopping by and sharing your own story!

Anita Mae
11/6/2012 01:53:35 pm

Hey Elaine, I remember that blizzard! By the time it died down we couldn't get into the barn. We have the 8 foot fences made from upright boards around the corrals and on some sides the snow was up to the top of the fence and the other side was bare. The goats didn't know what to make of it because the snow was hard and could support their weight.

That same winter was scary going down the highway, too, because there were places the stock walked right over the fence. Horses, cows and buffalo were hazards as well as the normal deer.

Carla Gade link
11/6/2012 02:13:09 pm

Oh. My!

Elaine King
11/7/2012 12:21:35 am

Wow! Horses, cows & buffaloes going over the fences? That would be scary driving! You don't want to hit any of them!

Ruth Axtell link
11/5/2012 08:45:25 am

Wow, Carla, what an interesting family history! I love Currier & Ives scenes. They make snowy winters look so cozy. The worst storm we lived through here in Maine, which I'm sure you remember, was the great Ice Storm of '98, which happened in Jan. We had a woodstove, a battery powered radio, and a well, for the week or more we were without power.

Carla Gade link
11/5/2012 09:19:04 am

Yes, and researching my ancestry keeps me busy, while I'm not writing, of course. I'm always learning something new and it often sparks ideas for writing.

I wasn't in Maine until 2002, but in '98 was living in the Endless Mountains (near Poconos) of Pennsylvania. We had quite a snow and ice storm there, too. But when I came to Maine a few years later, folks were still talking about it. I love the way ice storms look, when the sun glistens off the icey branches. I don't like the damage that it does though. Sounds like you had quite the time of it without power for a week.

Carla Gade link
11/5/2012 01:45:22 pm

We had our first snow today, here in central Maine. A few flurries, but they didn't stick.

Anita Mae
11/6/2012 02:00:41 pm

Carla, ours fell and melted a couple times already. I have mixed feelings about the stuff on the ground. I like that it's warm enough to go to my office without a coat, but the ground is slushy and the roads are muck. This is Nick's first year driving in the winter and I'm kind of hoping the temp stays below freezing so the gravel road is hard again. I want him to have several more months of driving before he tackles the soft and mucky spring roads. Perhaps God wants him to practice the soft stuff now though, eh.

Carla Olson Gade link
11/8/2012 07:30:26 am

I agree, nothing worse than slushy, mucky roads, especially for Nick. I remember my kids learning how to drive. So much fun!! ;0

Megan Parsons
11/7/2012 12:45:13 am

I love the pictures!!!! I would love to win a copy of your book. Thanks! makeighleekyleigh at yahoo.com

Carla OlsonGade link
11/8/2012 08:19:35 am

Thank you, Megan!

Janet Estridge
11/7/2012 02:30:18 am

I can relate to sand more than I can snow being a native Floridian. I don't know anyone who can't relate to Romance. We have the series, "Romancing America" in my Church Library. Thanks for entering me in your book giveaway.

Carla Olson Gade link
11/8/2012 07:28:20 am

I'm so glad to hear that your church has the Romancing America line in their library. I truly love this line and am blessed to be part of it. I hear you on the sand...I have a sister who lives in FL.

Marianne link
11/8/2012 12:13:42 am

Power out in winter? No thanks! No way to keep the house warm in 25 degrees weather when the wind is howling! We had that for two hours when the heavy frost broke powerlines this winter. Other than that, a snow storm doesn't bother me cause i don't mind staying put in the house. Thanks for the great giveaway!

marianneDOTwanhamATgmailDOTcom

www.reviewingnovelsonline.blogspot.ca

Carla Olson Gade link
11/8/2012 07:38:59 am

I do agree, Marianne. I'd rather have the snow and keep the power any day. It is so hard to get the chill off, but its nice trying...warm quilts, fireplaces, hot cocoa. Of course, that's only a temporary fix. Unless you have a generator it isn't much fun.

Carol Wong
11/8/2012 12:56:10 am

I am very excited about 'Colonial Courtships'. I have done a lot of genealogial research on my family on both sides and have found so many New England ancestors in that time period. I know that I would enjoy your book.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carla Olson Gade link
11/8/2012 08:22:30 am

That's great to hear, Carol! The wonderful thing about our New England ancestors is that they left behind a great deal of records that help us in our genealogy research! I just can't get enough about learning of them and their lives in Colonial New England. The family "Ingersoll" that I used in Colonial Courtships is actually one of my New England family names.

Dana Spille link
11/8/2012 01:49:10 am

I would really really love to win this book please.Thank you for the contest .Blessings,Dana"Girl " Spille

Carla Olson Gade link
11/8/2012 08:25:52 am

Thanks so much for stopping by! Blessings, Dana!

KayM
11/8/2012 05:31:03 am

I love your ancestor's home. What a beautiful house! I can imagine sitting around the fire, while the snow blows outside. I remember several blizzards, growing up in Iowa and Minnesota. I remember one really bad snowstorm in 1984. There were drifts the size of houses across the highways. The plows were finally able to clear one lane through the white masses. It was amazing!
may_dayzeeATyahooDOTcom

Carla Olson Gade link
11/8/2012 08:25:04 am

I know, isn't the house gorgeous! It's on the national historical register and is a museum now. I haven't visited there in person yet, and hope to in the spring...when the snow clears.

Your snow storm of '84 sounds like quite a blizzard!

Gwendolyn Gage link
11/8/2012 05:51:05 am

I experienced a few heavy snows in Hungary, but since being back in the states and spending a lot of time in Texas, it's been a long time. :-) Your story in Colonial Courtships sounds good, and I'm looking forward to reading it.

Carla Olson Gade link
11/8/2012 08:23:12 am

Thank you, Gwen! Wow, I'd imagine that the snows in Hungary would be quite something.

sara
11/8/2012 06:50:47 am

I'd love to read this!
mommy2seth AT gmail DOT com

Carla Olson Gade link
11/8/2012 08:24:20 am

I hope you'll have the chance to do so. Thank you for stopping by.

Susieq
11/8/2012 06:52:03 am

Would love to win this book for my daughter who loves historical romances......it'll be a great stocking stuffer! Thanks for the chance to win!




Carla Olson Gade link
11/8/2012 07:32:56 am

What a great idea to include a book as a stocking stuffer! Love it!

Carla OlsonGade link
11/8/2012 07:31:50 am

Our first "real" snow last night. A nor'easter blew in and everything was covered in beautiful, pristine white.

Anita Mae
11/10/2012 03:10:46 pm

I was scared to say anything before, but it started snowing Friday night and it's still coming down. Not a raging blizzard, but dainty, light flakes that allow you to see down the lane, but not across the field. It's piling up out there slowly and drifting in a few places. And I have to drive to the city tomorrow. Yuck.

Ellen Cardwell link
11/8/2012 10:51:52 am

Only once were we snowed in because we lived in the temperate SF Bay area. Our house sat on the highest street in Oakland atop the coastal range. We were so excited when it began to snow one afternoon, but didn't know what to do when it kept on snowing. A visiting friend left abruptly while the street was still navigable. The power went out and soon we were left in the dark. Suddenly, candles became priceless, and so did the flashlights. When hunger pangs hit, we dragged the barbeque back outside, poured every piece of remaining coal into it, and drowned the briquets in lighter fluid. The thawed chicken did cook, but it tasted like gasoline. The four of us crawled under the covers of our king-sized bed and tried to stay warm. Sleep was impossible--the children were too excited and wouldn't settle down. My husband, King of the Snore, added his night music to the mix. Thank God the power came back on and we weather wips returned to an ordinary Winter evening.

Carla Olson Gade link
11/8/2012 11:53:51 am

Oh, dear. Well, at least it was memorable! Thanks for sharing your survival story.

Anita Mae
11/10/2012 03:14:34 pm

Ellen, that reminds me that my worst habit during a power failure is leaving all the switches in the on position. I unplug the computers, etc, but forget about the lights, tv, etc.

Then we go to bed and when the power comes back on, lights blaze and the tv blasts! Talk about a rude awakening. LOL

Bethany Skaggs
11/8/2012 01:14:03 pm

Wow, what a lovely give-away! I've had my eye on this book for quite some time now! =-)
bskaggs(at)zoominternet(dot)net

Carla Olson Gade link
11/9/2012 05:58:46 am

Thanks, Bethany! I do hope you get a chance to read it. :)

Deanna Mundy
11/8/2012 07:06:29 pm

I remember the Blizzard of '78. I was 7 yrs old and we were out of school for about 2 weeks. I remember checking out a Nancy Drew book from the school library before the storm hit and I read it over the break. I have been in love with books since I learned to read. We also had an ice storm back in winter of '93-'94. I can remember the roads were nothing but a sheet of ice and the temperature was 20 below zero. This really sticks in my mind because my youngest son was sick with pneumonia and I had to drive to my mother-in-law's house to use the phone. I had to call the doctor every other day and inform him of my son's progress. The day I was not calling the doctor, I had to take him to the doctor's office in another town to get a shot to keep my son out of the hospital. Thankfully, no more ice storms like that have come our way.

Thanks for giving away the book! I hope I win.

Carla Olson Gade link
11/9/2012 06:02:30 am

Deanna, how awful that must have been with your son so sick during that storm. I'm afraid our ancestors had to endure similar hardship during poor weather if they were in need of a doctor. I'm so glad that at least your in-law's had a working phone. You must have been worried sick. I'm glad all turned out well.
As for the Bliz of '78, wise thinking to take a book out of the library! I couldn't imagine surviving a storm without a book in hand!
Thanks for stopping by.

Gail Robinson
11/8/2012 08:36:39 pm

Carla, It's wonderful to read what you write. You took me back with your images on paper. I love the snow with its beauty on God's landscape and look forward to it snowing each year to the dismay of my co-worker. You get a bit more in Maine than we do down here in MA. I don't remember much about the blizzard of '78 but that it was the greatest time to be a kid outdoors. My dad built us the biggest snowpile ever in the backyard with a tunnel through it. The neighborhood kids all loved it. Thank you for the thoughts of days past.

Carla Olson Gade link
11/9/2012 05:57:27 am

So great to see you here, Gail! I'm glad you enjoy the post, the recollections and photos. Thanks for sharing your own memories.
Blessings!

Beth C
11/9/2012 05:32:50 am

The pictures are stunning! I've been an Iowa girl all my life so I've been through a lot of blizzards. I lived on a farm when I was young and it was always exciting when I'd hear there was no school because the roads were closed. Colonial Courtships looks like a great book!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Carla Olson Gade link
11/9/2012 06:08:49 am

Thank you, Beth! Oh, you must be used to blizzards! I always loved "snow days" myself. Thanks for visiting with us today.

Maxie Anderson link
11/9/2012 07:18:47 am

Carla, This was very interesting and I loved all of the pictures.When my family was living in they had lots of snowstorms, It would blow and reach the roof. After I married and while living in Jackson Hole, Wyo. we did have lots of snowstorms. But now that i'm back in Houston, Tx. we hardly ever see any snow and certainly don't pile up. In Ok. we also had big sandstorms. I was born during one in 1935, and my mom thought she was going to lose me. So much even with quilts nailed over windows. I wish I had the money to research my family history. I would love to win your book.
Maxie ( mac262@me.com )

Anita Mae
11/10/2012 03:31:03 pm

Hey Maxie, your poor mom. I'd rather take the snow than sand any day. But speaking of moms, I had a high-risk pregnancy for my 2nd baby and my water broke 5 wks early. Just came gushing out as I stood there. We knew it was a possibility so I had my bag ready to go. The only thing was that a blizzard was on its way. And boy did it come fast. We were driving down the double lane 416 Hwy between Montreal and Ottawa and Nelson was passing all these slow-moving vehicles. He wasn't going fast, but as a military policeman he knew how to drive and wasn't about to be caught in the middle of a line of tailgaters.

We hadn't picked out names yet - just in case - so figured it was a good time. Especially since I started having contractions. Nothing like picking out baby names when you're want to scream and can't see anything ahead and only a string of red lights on your right.

Usually it took us an hour to make the trip, but that night, it was an extra 30 mins by the time we got to the hospital.

Once we got there, the nurse said I was just having Braxton Hicks pains and to go back home because it was too early. Well, I just refused to go leave. So she did a litmus test and decided that perhaps I was having a baby. LOL - Jessica was born 6 hrs later. And the blizzard raged on...

Carla Olson Gade link
11/10/2012 03:33:32 pm

Thank you, Maxie! Wow, sandstorms. Now that is something I never think about. There are many free genealogy sites such as familysearch.org. I think you'd be surprised to see how far you get. One clue leads to another.

pat cowans
11/10/2012 10:52:09 am

i have been in several blizzard and a lot of big snow fall. I would love to win. thanks it sounds wonderful,

Carla Olson Gade link
11/10/2012 03:36:00 pm

Thank you, Pat. Keep warm this winter!

Rhonda Nash-Hall link
11/10/2012 11:38:36 am

Not really been in a blizzard but we have had several 2 foot deep snowstorms here in VA and an ice storm where we were without power for a week when I was in high school. I love snow!!! want lots of snow!
rhonda_nash_hall@comcast.net

Anita Mae
11/10/2012 03:32:00 pm

I'll mail you some!

LOL

Carla Olson Gade link
11/10/2012 03:34:43 pm

Me, too. In March, by then I'm ready to see it go.

Linda McFarland
11/10/2012 06:26:30 pm

Oh so looking forward to reading 'Colonial Coutships'...sounds oh so good....I have shared on facebook and twitter too....babyruthmac16ATyahooDOTcom

Carla Olson Gade link
11/12/2012 08:33:18 am

Thank you so much, Linda! I appreciate your sharing about it, too!
Blessings!

Debbi S.
11/11/2012 01:48:17 am

The long snowy winters of New England during a more peaceful time, post WWII, when snowplows were not-a-plenty, and the community meant sharing who you were with those around you--appreciating the peace for the moment...thankful for the blessings God brought--being with other families during the high moments as well as the low--has special significance in my life. Memories of my pastor daddy, shoveling snow on our walk and drive (well over my head), warming the '57 Olds to pick up church members (praying the tires would hold out), delivering a broadcast on Sunday morning on the local radio station before preaching at the little white church on the corner--then driving a school bus during the week to care for his young family, were the periferals to what we were taught were the underlying reasons that made life, life. His tireless love of the Lord Jesus Christ was the first indicative, then serving others, the next. And so it was, that this was the backdrop of getting to meet wonderfully dear families, and weaving them into the fabric of my heart. One special family stands out in my heart to this day. It was the family of Carla Olsen Gade who came into my life through having gone to that "little white church". Understanding that her parents, grandparents and great-grandparents, with siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins were a very real part of my life from that time, I must share that the picture of her grandparents' car, arriving at the snowy curbside of that white church, brimming with children spanning many ages,--imprinted me--that family leaning heavily on the Lord during a family member's death, their teaching in Sunday School; the fellowship times, smiles and tears.... Warming my heart, to see continued generations of this family in action, author Carla Olsen Gade carries on the fine values of her family...the blessings of a legacy of values...from her family, to you and yours. We are truly blessed!

Debbi S.
11/11/2012 06:33:00 am

*OLSON*! So sorry! I will not misspell OLSON again! :)

Carla Olson Gade link
11/12/2012 08:40:02 am

Debbi, no worries about the name misspell. It happens all the time. I'm so glad that you stopped by and shared your precious memories! It also means a lot to me to hear about this bit of my family history through your eyes. I'd love to see that picture sometime, but the way your described it so well I can just imagine it. The Lord really has been a rock for our family through so many storms of life. Praise Him! And bless you for sharing.

Anita Mae
11/12/2012 11:37:13 am

I'd like to thank everyone who stopped in to comment and share their memories. With the help of random.org, a winner has been chosen to receive a copy of Carla's Colonial Courthship. And the winner is...

Janet Estridge!

Congrats Janet. Carla will be in contact for your postal information.

Thanks again everyone.

And thank you, Carla, for a special week. I wish you all the best with your writing and invite you back with your next release as I have no doubt there'll be more. :)

Carla Olson Gade link
11/12/2012 12:08:10 pm

Congratulations, Janet! I'm glad that you'll be able to add Colonial Courtships to your church library.

Thank you so much, Anita. This has been such a fun week sharing memories with your readers and they with us!

Many blessings!
Carla


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