SNOW, SNOW, SNOW, SNOW

"I wanna wash my face, my hands, my hair with snow...."

Back a few weeks ago, we accumulated 10.5 inches of snow! We rarely get snow anymore so it was a real treat! Just thought I'd share a few photos from the day.

Autumn, I've been waiting for you.

Dear Autumn,

It's been such a long time.  Much longer than usual I do believe.  You are quite late in your visit this year, at least a month late.  I should be mad at you, but when you arrived a few days ago, I couldn't be.  I was so overwhelmed with utter happiness that you were finally here that I couldn't be angry at you.

You see, I've been waiting for you to arrive before I begin wearing my favorite jeans and plaid shirts, or leggings and a hoodie.  Not to mention I haven't broken out a pair of boots this season, yet. I haven't drank any hot chocolate or really had anything pumpkin flavored yet - which is quite astonishing, as pumpkin is one of my favorite things in the world. The color changing leaves are supposed to come a bit before you, but you have failed in that respect this year, as they are all still green with a bit of brown spots.  I hadn't felt that slight chill in the air outside until you arrived a few days ago, and brought it with you, and the cloudy weather as well.  It's because of you that I have been late to the enjoyment of all these delightful things.  But as you are here now, I forgive you.

"Resist" Book Review - White Rose Blog Tour

Today, February 22nd, 2018, marks the 75th anniversary of the deaths of Hans Scholl, Sophie Scholl, and Christoph Probst.  These three heroically and courageously printed anti-Nazi leaflets and distributed them during WWII.  They were discovered and executed on this day many years ago.  But we can't let their deaths be in vain, and must strive to remember them, as we remember many heroic figures, and what they stood for.

In honor of their deaths, I have decided to participate in author Emily Ann Putzke's 75th anniversary blog tour, by writing a review of her book "Resist," which tells the story of Hans, Sophie, and Christoph, through Hans' view.

Munich, Germany 1942—Hans Scholl never intended to get his younger sister involved in an underground resistance. When Sophie Scholl finds out, she insists on joining Hans and his close friends in writing and distributing anti-Nazi leaflets entitled, The White Rose. The young university students call out to the German people, begging them to not allow their consciences to become dormant, but to resist their tyrannical leader and corrupt government. Hans knows the consequences for their actions—execution for committing high treason—but firm in his convictions, he’s prepared to lose his life for a righteous cause. Based on a true story, Hans, Sophie and all the members of The White Rose resistance will forever inspire and challenge us to do what is right in the midst of overwhelming evil. 

You know a book is beautiful, wonderful, powerful, and important to society when you can't stop thinking about it; when the characters won't leave your mind.

Such courage these young individuals had. Reading of these people made me feel sort of guilty...Why? Well, here they were, putting their lives on the line, for people they didn't even know. Speaking out in a world were it was punishable to do so. And we can sometimes have a hard time speaking up for our beliefs in a free country!  Shocking, I think.  

I just love every one of the members of the White Rose! I love them all. But Hans is my particular favorite. If you want to know why: Well, he started the Resistance. He knew the consequences if caught (they all did, I know). He didn't want to drag his loved ones in, to protect them. He had such love for the world. 

I also, love Sophie. She's a hero of mine now, as are Hans and the rest of them. Sophie, I believe was an old soul living in a young body. She had so much wisdom for someone so young, but I also believe she was trying to find herself, too. Her trust in God was overwhelming.  I wish I had just an inkling of the trust she gave Him.  
 

I was so afraid during the last half of the book. I had never read the story of or maybe even heard of these courageous young people before, and during the last 80 pages or so, I had such anxiety.  I knew, just knew what would happen to Hans and Sophie, but still I was on the edge of my seat, my heart beating fast with fear. 

And then the interrogations and trials. That was hard to bear. I felt as if I were there. Though, I know if I was, I would be so much more nervous and anxious. But, still, it left me stressed out.

I'm not going to say that Christl, Sophie and Hans weren't scared, for heaven's sake they were nearing their death! It's most impossible to not be afraid. But they didn't let the fear show. They took their death sentences with dignity. And Hans last words! That there just shows that he never regretted it-the Resistnace- for a minute. 

I am deeply upset though, that when you search for the White Rose, that it seems Sophie was remembered much more than Hans. I love Sophie, but why isn't Hans more praised? He did indeed begin the Resistance! 

Emily does a good job of writing it from Hans' perspective.  Sometimes, it seems kind of dangerous to do that, write a book from the perspective of one who has died, and was such a brave person, someone who did something important for society, but Emily has not done any harm.  She has commemorated Hans, Sophie, and Christoph, between the pages of this book, and done them a huge honor, one well deserved. 

Thank you Emily for introducing me to some of the greatest people of the 20th century, and of time. I won't forget their story.  I have been searching and reading about the White Rose since I finished the book. The story has left an impact on me...

How can we expect fate to let a righteous cause prevail when there is hardly anyone who will give himself up undividedly to a righteous cause?" - Sophie Scholl