Sylvia Shults's Blog, page 62

I’m Famous! (Sort of)

While on vacation, I decided to do some long-overdue promotion for Spirits of Christmas. I called local libraries that already own my books, and pitched the new book for their collection. (I’m not very good at talking on the phone, so this was a Big Deal for me.) I have to have a script, which is this: I introduce myself as a fellow librarian, to get some common ground established, then I ask to chat with whoever orders their books. It’s a nice easy way to slide into the conversation.

When I called Washington Library, the conversation went like this:

Desk Assistant Who Answered the Phone: Good afternoon, Washington Library, can I help you?

Me: Hello, this is Sylvia; I work at Fondulac Library. I’d like to speak with whoever orders your books.

DAWATP: Oh, is this Sylvia SHULTS?

Me: …. Yes! Yes it is.

DAWATP: Well, when you say “Sylvia”, and then you say “new book”, I just figured it was you!

That just made my day.

Today I Learned …

When Titanic sank in 1912, the most valuable and highly insured cargo in her hold was forty crates of feathers. The demand for feathers to decorate women’s hats was so great that in 1900, an ounce of snowy egret plumes sold for $32. (An ounce of gold, for comparison, was a paltry $20.)

Joys of Summer, Part 8

I took my dog to the dog park, and on the way home, she wanted to stop for ice cream.

So we did.

Girl does love her some ice cream.

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Mics Uncut Show

Ghosts of the Illinois River, like every good revenant, keeps coming back for more!

In addition to being turned into an ebook (a steal at $2.99!) , it’s also popping up in other places. I recently filmed an episode of Mics Uncut with Ahavah Maure. We took a nighttime stroll along the river bank, and I had loads of fun scaring my host with creepy tales of the spirits that linger in the towns along the river. You can find the episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5QqeVxV-OA . Enjoy!

And I am so excited to be part of the Mics Uncut Red Carpet premiere on July 12 at 6 pm at Landmark Theatre in Peoria. You won’t want to miss this — you’ll get to see me in a slinky dress.

More Summer Fun

My library has a small art gallery (okay, an expanse of wall where we hang cool stuff), and as this year’s Summer Reading program theme is “Reading Takes You Everywhere”, we’ve collected vacation pictures from patrons and staff, and put them on display. And mine was one of the pictures chosen!

It’s the hand (my hand) holding the pebble up to the Atlantic horizon. I took that picture last June at White Horse Beach in Massachusetts. It took me three tries, if I remember right, lining up the line on the pebble with the horizon, and hoping desperately that I wouldn’t drop my phone in the water. But it worked! I’m not the world’s best photographer, but I’m pretty darn proud of that picture.

(And the best part about having this picture chosen for the display? I get to keep the framed photo when the display comes down. Cool!)[image error]

Today I Learned …

The word “bald”, as in “bald eagle”, has nothing to do with hair or lack of it. The name of the bald eagle was derived from the word “piebald”, because of the difference in color between the white feathers on their heads and tails and the darker feathers on their bodies.

Bonus fact (because it’s a holiday): Most bald eagles snore.

Happy Fourth of July, everybody!

This Is My Life. Seriously.

So I had just gotten the dog out of the car and was standing there waiting for her to pee, when I looked down at the patch of clover at my feet.

I’m the luckiest person ever.

Do you see the FOUR four-leaf clovers in the picture?

My life rocks.

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Give It A Second…

Hope you’re all having fun this summer![image error]

Lights Out: Dole Mansion

Hey there! It’s time for another episode of Lights Out, your virtual campfire. Grab the s’mores!

Historic homes can be homes to spirits as well as paying visitors. Dole Mansion, in Crystal Lake, Illinois, is a gracious showplace that also boasts a few ghosts lurking in the odd corner. Join our guide, Joe Diamond, for a flashlight tour of this beautiful home. https://youtu.be/iGssu1IrsGE

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Amazing Act of Kindness

I saw something wonderful on the way to work, and I just had to share it.

I was on Route 29 headed north, between Pekin and East Peoria. There’s a turnoff halfway down Auto Row outside of town, with a left turn lane to head to Marquette Heights. Traffic was stopped momentarily at the red light there, and when we started to move again, I realized there was a sheriff’s patrol car in front of me. The sheriff pulled out (the wrong way) into the oncoming left turn lane, and turned his lights on. I figured, okay, he got a call from Pekin and was headed back that way and had to turn around.

But he didn’t turn around. Instead, he pulled out of the left turn lane and parked across the two south-bound lanes. The oncoming cars slowed, then stopped. I knew that whatever he was up to, it was nothing to do with me, so I drove on.

Then I happened to look down, to my left.

There, headed across the road, was a mama duck, herding half a dozen fuzzy little ducklings. THAT’S why the sheriff had pulled out to stop traffic: to help the helpless get across the road safely.

I couldn’t get a picture, because I was driving (duh). But I sent up a quick prayer to St. Francis, and silently said “thank you” to the sheriff.