January Review

January was a great month and since it's almost the end, it's time for a review. This month was my absolute favorite for a couple of reasons: I turned 18 and school is finally back in session (yes, I'm that unusual one that looks forward to school). 

We had a whole week with frost on the trees... beautiful!

On the Blog:

I did three posts this month on this blog and five on my other blog: 

Books of 2020

Book Review: Memories of Glass

Saints from A to Z: Letter T

Fill the World with Mail: 52 Letters in a Year

Week 2: 52 Letters in a Year

Week 3: 52 Letters in a Year

It's National Handwriting Day!

Week 4: 52 Letters in a Year

Books:

"School, why do you never allow me time to read books for fun?" 

"Because you read enough in your textbooks"

Alright, I'll keep reading my textbooks but hopefully I'll get a book or two more read next month. 

• Memories of Glass by Melanie Dobson
• Crusader King: A Novel of Baldwin IV and the Crusades by Susan Peek
• The Shadow of the Bear: Snow White and Red Rose Retold by Regina Doman
• The Minnesota Driver's Manual (Does a manual count as a book? I did read it cover to cover to study for my permit test...) 

School/Other Happenings:

Spring semester started for college, which has been pretty fun and interesting. I have three classes right now, with a fourth starting in March. Interpersonal Communication, Exploring Biology, the Research Paper, and Geocaching. I also have Calculus for high school, but second semester just started so I haven't done any real work for it yet. So far Exploring Biology is my favorite class, but the Research Paper might pass to first next month when I actually start researching for the big paper. 

Something else exciting happened this month: In person band started! Band is the one class that has been affected by you know what because it's the only class I take at the high school. Virtual band just doesn't work, but most other high school classes do. It's hybrid right now so I only get to rehearse with half the class, but it's better than not rehearsing at all. We also get to have the school's first outdoor concert, so Minnesota please bring us some warm weather in May! 

The last exciting event of the month is that I turned 18 on one of the twelve days of Christmas. Officially an adult! Besides doing the normal cake celebration, I went on an 18 mile bike ride, which was totally worth it. :)

February Plans:

• Continue with school and start researching for my 3600 word research paper 
• Read more books, hopefully!
• Take down our Christmas Tree on Candlemas, which marks the official end to Christmastide 
• Begin Lent
• Survive the cold that is supposed to come (below zero weather next week)

How was your January? Am I the only one who looks forward to school? Do you have any exciting plans for next month?  

-Miss K

Saints from A to Z: Letter T

Hello! I'm back after a short break. :) My brother Esteban and I decided to do a collaboration together back in April, but I've been slacking (maybe procrastinating is a better word). Esteban has set out on a mission to draw 52 saints, one male and one female, for every letter of the alphabet. I will be writing some biographies to go along with his drawings. Be sure to check out the series here. He's already done eight drawings and I've done zero biographies, so here's to hoping I can catch up soon. :) 

If it was my choice, we'd be starting with letter "a", but according to Esteban, it is boring to do everything in line and perfect because that never happens in real life. So, if you like orderly fashions and going from a to z, be prepared because this series will be a bit out of order. 

Female Saint for T:

Before I introduce today's saint, I'll give you three clues, but if you have come from Esteban's blog, then you probably already know who I'll be writing about.

CLUE 1: The cause of my death was tuberculosis. 

CLUE 2: My father was a watchmaker and my mother was a lace maker. 

CLUE 3: My mother died during my childhood, so one of my sisters become my second mother. 

Were you successful? If you guessed Saint Therese of Lisieux, then you are correct and have a strong knowledge of her life! Along with being the patron saint of France and missionaries, she is also the patron of florists, pilots, and illnesses. 

credit

Marie Francoise-Therese Martin was born in Alencon, France to Louis and Zelie Martin on January 2, 1873 and baptized two days later on January 4, as Marie Frances Therese. Due to an illness, her mother passed away in 1877 and  the family moved to Lisieux. Her father was left to take care of his five girls, while teaching them to have a Catholic life. Eventually, Therese's older sister Pauline took on the role as her second mother by becoming her first teacher.  

A few years later, when Therese was nine years old, Pauline left home and entered the convent. Therese was very close to her sister, so this left her saddened and she had much to suffer. Soon, she became very ill and suffered from headaches and insomnia. However, Therese was cured by "Our Lady of the Smile" on May 13, 1883. Soon after, when she was only nine years old, she decided that she was going to enter the convent. 

After many years of prayer and suffering, Therese was given permission to enter Carmel in 1888. She became a novice at the age of 16, and made her Profession of Vows two years later. She worked very hard in the sacristy and dining room, painting many pictures, wrote poems, and had a devout spiritual life, while taking charge and leading the novices. 

She lived a very peaceful life, although she endured much. She was spared from the influenza that spread throughout the convent in 1890, but seven years later she was diagnosed with tuberculosis. On September 30, 1897, at the age of 24, she died with the last words being "My God, I love You!"

Source:

https://www.littleflower.org/therese/

Some of my favorite books about St. Therese: 

• Little Therese: The Life of St. Therese for Children by Pere Carbonel, S.J.
• Saint Therese and the Roses by Helen Walker Homan
• Olivia and the Little Way by Nancy Carabio Belanger (Isn't directly about St. Therese, but teaches about the Little Way)
• St. Theresa the Little Flower by Sr. Gesualda of the Holy Spirit
• Mornings with Saint Therese: 120 Daily Readings by St. Therese compiled by Patricia Treece

I hope you enjoyed this biography and be sure to check out Esteban's drawing of St. Therese here. Hopefully the rest of the biographies will come soon, but until then you can follow along with the drawings. 

What is your favorite book about St. Therese? 

-Miss K

Book Review: Memories of Glass

A new year calls for a year of new reading. I've got a 1,000 page book to read for an English class, but before that is required, I had to finish a book. Thankfully, my local library still has curbside pick up, so I was able to read a new book called Memories of Glass by Melanie Dobson. 

"This novel draws from true accounts to shine a light of a period of Holland's darkest history and bravest heroes. 

1942. As war rips through the heart of Holland, childhood friends Josie van Rees and Eliese Linden partner with a few daring citizens to rescue Eliese's son and hundreds of other Jewish children who await deportation in a converted theater in Amsterdam. But amid their resistance work, Josie and Eliese's dangerous secrets could derail their friendship and their entire mission. When the enemy finds these women, only one will escape. 

Seventy-five years later, Ava Drake begins to suspect that her great-grandfather William Kingston was not the World War II hero he claimed to be. Her work as director of the prestigious Kingston Family Foundation leads her to Landon West's Ugandan coffee plantation, and Ava and Landon soon discover a connection between their families. As Landon's great-grandmother shares the broken pieces of her story, Ava must confront the greatest loss in her own life- and powerful members of the Kingston family who will do anything to keep the truth buried." (Photo and text credit)

My favorite books are the ones that start right with the story and leave you in suspense as to what is happening, causing you to read the whole book in just a few sittings. However, this is not one of the books. The first five chapters were a bit slow, but after that it did get suspenseful and the characters came alive. If I had to describe this book in three words it would be exciting, heartbreaking, and uplifting. A novel about any holocaust is going to have sad parts, but this one has lots of good parts too. 

 Things I Liked:

• The alternating point of views: beginning with Josie in 1942, then going to present day Ava, and then back and forth throughout the entire book.

• The mystery: Ava lives with her grandmother and uncles, and is able to connect Josie and Eliese's past with her present life. It was breathtaking at times because the mystery gets very involved and complex.

• The friendship: Josie and Eliese each get their own chapters throughout, making it interesting to read their thoughts about each other. Similarly, Ava and Landon (and eventually Faith) have a wonderful friendship that ultimately lead to the success of the mystery.

• The faith: In both plots, the characters have a strong belief in God. The author uses them to show the message of forgiveness and love among all people. 

Things I Didn't Like:

• Nothing (It's a great read!)

Favorite Quotes:

    "Hatred stops at nothing to destroy, but love can break through the root of evil."

    "God is going to use you to bring people together instead of tear them apart."

Content: 

There are details of the usual things you would expect in a holocaust novel: gas chambers, deaths, and children being separated from their families. 

Age:

I recommend this book for ages 16 and up, especially those who enjoy historical fiction and reading about World War II. 

Rating:

★★★★

Do you like books that switch point of views or stay in one point of view?  

-Miss K

Books of 2020

Merry Christmas and happy new year to everyone! Another new year calls for another year of lots of reading! I didn't read as many books as I wanted to, since a college class took over my time for that (thanks World History), but I did discover some new favorites. As for 2021, we'll see how many books I find time for, but I do hope to reread some of my childhood favorites since I'll be turning 18 this year. 

List of 2020 books: 

*part of a series or has a sequel and blue links have a review

1. Saint Philomena the Wonder-Worker: by Fr. Paul O'Sullivan, O.P.
2. Guns, Germs, and Steel: by Jared Diamond
3. Stories of Padre Pio: by Madame Katharina Tangari
4. Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World: by Jack Weatherford
5. The Iron Man of China: by Dr. Paul and Robert Lavin
6. *Our Lady and the Guardian: by Fr. Stephen Gemme
7. The Silence Between Us: Alison Gervais
8. A Wilder Rose: Susan Wittig Albert
9. The Gunsery Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society: by Mary Ann Shaffer
10. Book of a Thousand Days: by Shannon Hale
11. *Frozen Footprints: by Therese Heckenkamp
12. *After the Thaw: by Therese Heckenkamp
13. Shane: by Jack Shaefer 
14. A Room of My Own: by Ann Tatlock
15. Physician's Untold Stories: by Dr. Scott J. Kolbaba
16. *The Butterfly and the Violin: by Kristy Cambron 
17. *A Sparrow in Terezin: by Kristy Cambron
18. The Destiny of Sunshine Ranch: by T.M. Gaouette
19. *The Perfect Blindside: by Leslea Wahl
20. Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust: by Immaculee Ilibagiza
21. An Unexpected Role: by Leslea Wahl
22. The Weka Feather Cloak: by Leo Madigan
23. Gifts: Visible and Invisible: by 8 Catholic Teen Authors

I enjoyed all of these books and it's very hard to pick one favorite, so I'm going to list my top five favorites that will be on my to reread list. 

1. The Iron Man of China: 

This was one of the first books that I read for the year. It tells the story of Father Lavin, who was a Maryknoll priest. From 1932 to 1953, he served the people of China and became known as "Chinese Joe". He often traveled thousands of miles on foot and bicycle to help the people of China. Everyday, he worked very hard to convert as many people as possible to the Catholic faith. I enjoyed this book too because it has many historical accounts, including Father Lavin's personal letters to his family and newspaper clippings from China.

2. Frozen Footprints (and the sequel, After the Thaw):

I can't even begin to explain how wonderful this book was! I can say though, don't start it right before bed because you will have a lot of trouble stopping. If you haven't read any of Therese Heckenkamp's books, I highly recommend them. Frozen Footprints is about twins Charlene and Max Perigard, who have to deal with their rich, ruling grandfather. However, Max disappears and a ransom note is left behind. The twins must turn to God and Our Lady for help as they battle through survival, getting special help with the rosary. Once you read this one, you have to read the sequel. It puts you on the edge of your seat, if that didn't already happen in the first book. I do have to warn you about the content, as it does get a bit descriptive with violence, so I would recommend it to older teens, ages 16 and up. 

3. Physician's Untold Stories:

This book was a quick read, around 100 pages with each chapter telling a new miracle. Several doctors share their experiences of situations that have occurred in their lives that can't be explained with science. Some of the doctors themselves had no belief in God until they saw their patient be part of a miracle. 

4. Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust:

Before reading this book, I didn't know much about the Rwandan Holocaust so it was very interesting to me. This particular account is told from Immaculee Ilibagiza's point of view. She recalls her own experiences and the many things she witnessed while hiding from the killers. During these 91 days, she discovered God's many graces to her and the other women in hiding. To get the rest of the details, be sure to read this book! 

5. Gifts: Visible and Invisible: 

This was my last read of the year and it was a great one to end with, as it is a Christmas book. Susan Peek, Katy Huth Jones, Carolyn Astfalk, Theresa Linden, Leslea Wahl, Cynthia T. Toney, T.M. Gaouette, and Corinna Turner all come together to share their Catholic Christmas short stories with teens. Most of these stories took me by surprise with their endings, so it held my attention throughout. 

What was your favorite book of 2020? How many books do you hope to read this year?

-Miss K