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Oct15

Lost & Found: Valentine’s Edition – Love as an Undertow

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Lost & Found: Valentine’s Edition

This post was inspired by the Lost & Found: Valentine’s Edition blog hop which I ran into over at Arlee Bird’s blog: Tossing it Out.

000-lostnfound

Do you remember that special feeling of love found? And who hasn’t experienced the emotional experience of love lost? Some of you might have even lost a love only to find that person later for another go around.

Tell your story about love lost or found in our special Valentine’s blogfest. Your post can be a short fiction, an essay, poetry, or even a song–let your imagination run free. Any genre is fair game, be it romance, historical fiction, memoir, or even science fiction. After all there are no limitations when it comes to love.

Lummi Island, WA beach (photo by Tui Snider)
Rhythms at the beach on Lummi Island, WA (photo by Tui Snider)

Love as an Undertow

One of my goals for 2016 is to release a CD, so when I bumped into the Lost & Found blog hop, I decided to share one of my songs. Thanks to the blog hop, I got my recording equipment set up again – which is a big step in the right direction for me!

Now, I had orginally planned to share a different song, one called “Lost Echoes,” but it’s not ready to share, yet. That’s why you’re getting “Undertow,” instead.

Hey, they’re both love songs!

Inspired by life off-the-grid

In my early 20’s, I lived off-the-grid on a tiny island with a population of 9 people. I spent many transformative hours reading, writing, and strolling the beach. As you might expect, nature plays a big role in the songs I wrote during that time, including the one I’m sharing today.

The song is called “Undertow,” and as you can see, while it’s a love song, it’s about some of the dangers that love can pose to the psyche. Oh, and in case you’re wondering, the instruments you hear are clarinet, guitar and synthesizers.

I hope you enjoy it!

Undertow (music/lyrics by Tui Snider)

I threw my luck to the tides
Thinking the moon was in control
What a perfect couple, they’d say
The current swept me along

Where did my choices go?
Into your undertow
Where did your promises go?
Into the undertow
Into the undertow

You took my chances; you pulled me under
The surface remained so calm
Will I be another driftwood corpse soon,
Stacked upon your shore?

Where did my chances go?
Into your undertow
Where did your promises go?
Into the undertow
Into the undertow

Water is a colorless reflection
Of the changing sky
Why’d I keep my eyes on you?
I could have learned more from on high

Where did my future go?
Into your undertow
Where did your promises go?
Into the undertow
Into the undertow

Water is a colorless reflection of the changing sky…
Water is a colorless reflection of the changing sky…

Click below to listen:

To hear the song, “Undertow,” click on the player below. (Make sure your speakers are on!):

Read other Lost & Found bloggers here:

Click *here* to read more tales of Love: Lost & Found

Curious about my books? I’ve got 3, so far…


To read about more weird, offbeat, and overlooked places, check out my best-selling travel guide: 
UNEXPECTED TEXAS: Your Guide to Offbeat & Overlooked History, Day Trips & Fun Things to do near Dallas & Fort Worth
.

For ghost hunting hot spots, check out my best-selling travel guide to haunted places: 
PARANORMAL TEXAS: Your Travel Guide to Haunted Places near Dallas & Fort Worth
.

For a strange-but-true tale of Texas history, check out this bizarre piece of West Texas history: 
The Lynching of the Santa Claus Bank Robber

 


white-line-separator

Hey, you! Want to come along for the ride?

No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui's books can take you on a FUN adventure!
No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui Snider’s books can take you on a FUN adventure!

FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: For updates on my offbeat travels, books, & other fun stuff (such as postcards from the road!) subscribe to my newsletter using the form below. Each week, I’ll let you know the Historic Cemetery Symbol of the Week, who Teal Gray & I are interviewing on our show that night, and any other fun or interesting news. You can also mix & mingle with me by clicking this link & “liking” my Facebook Author Page:

Filed Under: Blog Posts, Travel Photo Essays Tagged With: iPhone photography, lyrics, Mental Mosaic band, music, musician, Oct15, photos, q1, song, Tui Snider, Undertow

Review: Excelsior House Hotel in Jefferson, Texas

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Stepping into History

The Excelsior House Hotel in the historic district of Jefferson, Texas has quite a pedigree: Not only has this Texas State Landmark been in continuous operation since the 1850’s, but it’s also listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

If you are a history buff, you do not want to miss the Excelsior House Hotel. Sure, just like any accommodation these days, every room has a private bath, a television, and WIFI, but there’s something *special* about this east Texas venue, something I’ve never quite experienced at any other historic hotel:

I truly felt transported while staying there, as if I’d slipped back to the 1880’s for a day!

It wasn’t just me, the chronically daydreaming writer who loves imagining what it was like to live in other times; my husband, Larry, felt the “time shift,” too. In fact, we’ve been puzzling over the experience ever since our recent stay. We visited during the History, Haunts & Legends paranormal conference, where I gave a talk on Historic Cemetery Symbols) And while we’re still not quite sure what created this unusual sensation, we agree that the hotel’s history is certainly a major ingredient, so I’ll start there:

Historic Excelsior House Hotel in Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)
Historic Excelsior House Hotel in Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)

History Entwined

The history of the Excelsior House Hotel and the city of Jefferson are deeply entwined. In the mid to late 1800’s, Jefferson, Texas was a glamorous inland trading center, with all the virtue and vice that accompanies a port town.

During this boom, Jefferson’s population swelled to 30,000 and its port was second only to Galveston. The city sent steamboats laden with cotton, timber, beef, and more to New Orleans, and received a variety of goods in return. Its location in northeast Texas made the Port of Jefferson the northernmost stop in a trade route to and from the Big Easy.

Jefferson, Texas a.k.a. The Little Easy

Even today, the influence of New Orleans provides an enchanting overlay to the city of Jefferson. With its red brick streets, hitching posts, carriage rides, cast iron railings, and Greek Revival architecture, Jefferson’s historic downtown could easily pass for late 1880’s New Orleans in a Hollywood movie. The city has even been celebrating Mardi Gras for over a century! For this reason, some folks call Jefferson, Texas the “Little Easy,” and I can see why.

Historic Excelsior House Hotel in Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)
Historic Excelsior House Hotel in Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)

Built by a Steamboat Captain

The Excelsior House Hotel is built on property once owned by a steamboat captain named William Perry. This land was a gift from the City of Jefferson in 1846, a thank you for all the hard work Perry did to keep the Big Cypress Bayou navigable.

When you realize the importance of that bayou, the city’s gratitude is understandable. From the 1840’s until the 1870’s, Jefferson’s economy was heavily dependent on trade with New Orleans.

Without that waterway, Jefferson would have remained an isolated village in east Texas rather than the vibrant port town it blossomed into.

Excelsior House Hotel – ideal location for visitors

Although Captain Perry built a family home on the property the city gave him, its central location made it ideal for visitors. So while he had not set out to build a hotel, Perry began renting rooms to merchants who passed through town. Even today, with the Jefferson Historical Museum next door and the Jay Gould Railroad car and carriage rides directly across the street, the Excelsior House Hotel is ideally located for visitors. Many restaurants, antique stores, and a variety of family-owned boutiques and shops are also within easy walking distance.

Guest register features famous patrons of the Excelsior House Hotel (photo by Tui Snider)
Guest register features famous patrons of the Excelsior House Hotel (photo by Tui Snider)

From boomtown to time capsule

Meanwhile, back at the bayou: In 1873, the US Army Corps of Engineers dismantled a huge log jam downstream from Jefferson, Texas. The Great Red River Raft, as it was called, had been around as long as anyone could remember, including Native Americans. Unfortunately for Jefferson, removing the log jam shifted water levels throughout the region, draining so much water out of the Big Cypress Bayou that it was no longer navigable by steamboats.

This meant no more trade with New Orleans! 

As for Captain Perry, who knows? He might have become the east Texas version of Conrad Hilton had he not been murdered in 1868…

As the boomtown years faded and the city of Jefferson fell into economic decline, Captain Perry’s hotel passed from owner to owner. The good news is that a great number of historic buildings from that era remain standing in Jefferson, Texas. The city’s untimely demise is the modern-day tourist and history buff’s gain!

Saved from the wrecking ball

Even so, by 1961 the Excelsior House Hotel was in dire need of repair. In fact, the historic hotel might have met the wrecking ball were it not for the forward-thinking members of the Jessie Allen Wise Garden Club. Not only did they purchase and remodel the building, but they continued to rent out rooms during the renovation, which was completed by the club members themselves.

So despite a few ups and downs, the Excelsior House Hotel has been in continuous operation since 1858, and the Jessie Allen Wise Garden Club continues to own and operate the hotel to this day.

Enjoy breakfast in the ballroom of the Excelsior House Hotel in Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)
Enjoy breakfast in the ballroom of the Excelsior House Hotel in Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)

The Excelsior House Hotel today

Today, the fully restored Excelsior House Hotel is an eye-catching whitewashed building adorned with cast iron railings in the heart of Jefferson’s historic district. The comfortable lobby features the original front desk, and is filled with hotel memorabilia. Rather like a small museum, the hotel features antiques throughout, many of which are leftovers from when Captain Perry owned the property.

Famous Clientele includes 3 presidents

Over the years, the Excelsior House Hotel has played host to many famous guests, including Oscar Wilde, Ladybird Johnson, and 3 US presidents (Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, and Lyndon Baines Johnson.) Don’t believe me? See for yourself; many pages from the hotel’s guest register are on display in the front lobby.

Excelsior House Hotel Tours

Whether you stay at the Excelsior House Hotel or not, a tour of the building is worth your time. Hotel volunteers also offer tours of the Atalanta, Jay Gould’s private railroad car, which is located directly across the street. Both tours are given by volunteers, so you will need to check with the front desk clerk to see if they are available during your visit or not.

Gracious staff and old world charm

I thoroughly enjoyed the Excelsior House Hotel! From the moment Larry and I stepped inside, I could tell it was going to be a memorable stay. The atmosphere was welcoming without being intrusive, by which I mean that the hotel staff left us to our own thoughts until we asked questsions. (I mention this because I have certain friends who claim they could never stay at anything other than a big chain hotel because they are afraid the staff at a privately owned venue will follow them the whole time!)

The entire staff, from the desk clerk to the servers at breakfast, was extremely courteous. It nearly felt as if they had taken an old school etiquette course! Each one I spoke to was knowledgeable and exuded a well-deserved pride in their hotel and its history.

Enjoy breakfast in the ballroom of the Excelsior House Hotel in Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)
Enjoy breakfast in the ballroom of the Excelsior House Hotel in Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)

Transported in time by the Plantation Breakfast

The Plantation Breakfast was an enchanting surprise, and not simply because it was mighty tasty. In retrospect, Larry and I agree that this experience was another key ingredient in making us feel as if we had stepped back into time.  So even if you’re not an early riser, or a habitual breakfast eater, I highly recommend making an exception for the Plantation Breakfast at the Excelsior House Hotel.

The Plantation Breakfast offers a taste of the Old South, literally and figuratively. During our stay, the menu consisted of fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, fried ham, grits, biscuits, and orange blossom muffins elegantly presented on fine dining ware.

When I wandered downstairs that morning, I wasn’t quite sure where breakfast was served, so I asked the front desk clerk, who ushered us to a nearby sitting room. “Help yourselves to a cup of coffee,” she instructed, “they’ll call you into the ballroom shortly.”

I don’t know about you, but in the life I lead, I am rarely “called” into any room, let alone a historic ballroom with a French chandelier, marble busts, oil paintings, two grand pianos, velvet couches, and a cypress wood floor. We were the only ones dining at that hour, and with the wait staff bustling around us as if they were our house servants; well, it was delightfully disconcerting.

I felt like Scarlet O’Hara

I truly felt transported, as if I’d suddenly become Scarlet O’Hara overnight. It’s hard to describe, but it was a lot of fun. (Plus, those orange blossom muffins are to die for!) I felt as if i were in a costume drama and that everyone else was in character!

After our meal, Larry and I lingered in the ballroom, snapping photos and pretending the Excelsior House Hotel was our family home. It was easy to imagine galas, meetings and other festivities taking place here over the years. In fact, you can still host your own if you wish! The ballroom is available for those wishing to host receptions, luncheons or other special events, and the hotel courtyard is a popular site for weddings.

So the next time you are in east Texas, I highly recommend a stay at the historic Excelsior House Hotel! Read on for how to book a room, and for tips on visiting Jefferson, Texas, including when to visit and what to see and do while you are there:

Plan your stay at the Excelsior House Hotel

For more information about the Excelsior House Hotel including room rates, available dates, and how to book a room, click here. (And when you book your room, be sure to tell them that Tui sent you!)
Address: Excelsior House Hotel, 211 West Austin Street, Jefferson, Texas 75657

NOTE: While accommodations were provided free of charge, the opinions expressed in this review are wholly my own. Click here to read the full TuiSnider.com Privacy Policy. 

 

Beautiful garden courtyard at the Excelsior House Hotel in Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)
Beautiful garden courtyard at the Excelsior House Hotel in Jefferson, Texas (photo by Tui Snider)

Jefferson, TX – What to see and do?

As I mentioned earlier, the little town of Jefferson is chock full of fun things to see and do, and the Excelsior House Hotel is right in the middle of it all! Not only is this little town full of antique shops, museums, and restaurants, but consider taking a guided trip down the bayou, or enjoying a mug of 5 cent coffee at the Jefferson General Store.

Jefferson, TX Festivals – When to visit?

Jefferson, Texas makes a great getaway any time of the year, but you may want to plan your trip around one of the many festivals that take place here throughout the year, including:

Jefferson Candlelight Tour of Homes – This annual event offers candlit tours of historic homes led by docents in period clothing (think top hats and hoopskirts!)

History, Haunts & Legends – This twice annual East Texas paranormal conference takes place each April and each November. It was the main reason for our stay, actually. I was invited to give my Historic Cemetery Symbolism talk there, and decided to turn my stay in Jefferson, Texas into a much-needed writing research trip.

Jefferson Pilgrimage – This is a weekend long historical celebration in which Civil War buffs use the entire town as a backdrop for elaborate reenactments, including the Naval Battle of Port Jefferson, and the Diamond Bessie Murder Trial Play.

Burn Run – Motorcycle Rally This annual fall biker rally raises money for burn victims.

Mardi Gras Upriver – Jefferson, Texas has been celebrating Mardi Gras

Marion County Fair – A good old-fashioned East Texas county fair.

Taste of Jefferson, Texas – Lively annual celebration of regional restaurants.

Want to read more like this?


To read about more weird, offbeat, and overlooked places, check out my best-selling travel guide: 
UNEXPECTED TEXAS: Your Guide to Offbeat & Overlooked History, Day Trips & Fun Things to do near Dallas & Fort Worth
.

For ghost hunting hot spots, check out my best-selling travel guide to haunted places: 
PARANORMAL TEXAS: Your Travel Guide to Haunted Places near Dallas & Fort Worth
.

For a strange-but-true tale of Texas history, check out this bizarre piece of West Texas history: 
The Lynching of the Santa Claus Bank Robber

 


white-line-separator

Hey, you! Want to come along for the ride?

No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui's books can take you on a FUN adventure!
No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui Snider’s books can take you on a FUN adventure!

FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: For updates on my offbeat travels, books, & other fun stuff (such as postcards from the road!) subscribe to my newsletter using the form below. Each week, I’ll let you know the Historic Cemetery Symbol of the Week, who Teal Gray & I are interviewing on our show that night, and any other fun or interesting news. You can also mix & mingle with me by clicking this link & “liking” my Facebook Author Page:

Filed Under: Blog on Writing & Life, Blog Posts, Hotel and B&B Reviews, My Reviews, Travel Photo Essays Tagged With: B&B, east Texas, festivals, haunted hotel, historic, hotel, jefferson, Oct15, places to stay, q1, review, road trip, Texas, things to do, Tui Snider, TX, weekend getaway

How The Lynching of the Santa Claus Bank Robber Inspired East Texas University! #texas #crime #history

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Remember that magician I met through my books?

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you may recall that I made friends with a reader last year who not only lives overseas, but gave my books their first reviews on Amazon UK.

Cowboy Santa Claus (photo by Tui Snider)
Cowboy Santa Claus (photo by Tui Snider)

Here’s a post I wrote about how Owen Lean (aka The Bachelor of Magic) and I became pen pals through my books:

How I Became a Fan of My Fan!

Owen is a fascinating guy; which is why Teal Gray and I interviewed him on our radio show a few weeks ago (check out the replay here: Teal Gray Worldwide Radio: Owen Lean – the Bachelor of Magic.) 

Plus, not only did Owen Lean make headlines for earning the world’s first bachelor’s degree in street magic, but he’s even given a TEDx talk:

 

How my Santa Claus book inspired a role-playing game:

ETU_Horror_for_the_HolidaysOK, so my book, The Lynching of the Santa Claus Bank Robber inspired Owen Lean to weave some of that strange-but-true weirdness into the adventure he wrote for a role-playing game called East Texas University (ETU)  – and the game was just released today!

You can check out the video trailer for the ETU game here:

Pinnacle Entertainment Group: East Texas University

Also, here’s the blurb for Owen’s role-playing adventure, which is called “Horror for the Holidays.”

“The Christmas spirit has descended upon [the East Texas town of] Pinebox. It’s a time for celebration, a time for relaxation, and perhaps a time when the forces of darkness would give the world some gosh darned peace and quiet.

 

Unfortunately, this year the Christmas spirit is an actual spirit—and it doesn’t care if you’ve been naughty or nice. The spirit of the last man to be publicly lynched in Texas has risen, and he’s on the tail of a young Freshman at East Texas University.
Oh. And he looks like Santa Claus. “

Are there any gamers on your Christmas list?

So, if you’ve got any gamers on your Christmas list this year, check out East Texas University’s latest adventure “Horror for the Holidays.” I plan to do so!
And just so you know: In order to play “Horror for the Holidays” you need the Savage Worlds core rules and East Texas University, both of which can be found on the Pinnacle Entertainment Group website. Happy holidays!

 

Psst! Looking for Stocking Stuffers?


Since it *is* the holiday season, I’d like to point out that I wrote a strange-but-true tale about a very bad Santa, and guess what? It’s the perfect size for most Christmas stockings! (What are the odds?) Check out this bizarre piece of West Texas history, and grab a copy for anyone on your Christmas list who delights in things that are wee bit quirky:
The Lynching of the Santa Claus Bank Robber

Want to read more like this?


To read about more weird, offbeat, and overlooked places, check out my best-selling travel guide:
UNEXPECTED TEXAS: Your Guide to Offbeat & Overlooked History, Day Trips & Fun Things to do near Dallas & Fort Worth
.

For ghost hunting hot spots, check out my best-selling travel guide to haunted places:
PARANORMAL TEXAS: Your Travel Guide to Haunted Places near Dallas & Fort Worth
.

For a strange-but-true tale of Texas history, check out this bizarre piece of West Texas history:
The Lynching of the Santa Claus Bank Robber

 


white-line-separator

Hey, you! Want to come along for the ride?

No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui's books can take you on a FUN adventure!
No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui Snider’s books can take you on a FUN adventure!

FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: For updates on my offbeat travels, books, & other fun stuff (such as postcards from the road!) subscribe to my newsletter using the form below. Each week, I’ll let you know the Historic Cemetery Symbol of the Week, who Teal Gray & I are interviewing on our show that night, and any other fun or interesting news. You can also mix & mingle with me by clicking this link & “liking” my Facebook Author Page:

Filed Under: Blog on Writing & Life, Blog Posts, Teal Gray Worldwide Radio, TGWW Radio, Travel Photo Essays Tagged With: author Tui Snider, east texas university, lynching, magic, Oct15, Owen Lean, pinnacle entertainment group, rpg, santa claus, Tui Snider, xmas

Historic Cemetery Symbols: What do Pine Needles & Pine Cones Represent?

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Historic Cemetery Symbols

While it’s common for evergreen trees to be planted in historic graveyards, pine needles and pine cones are not symbols I see engraved on headstones as often as other trees – such as the oak tree.

Pine cones on a historic cemetery grave marker. (photo by Tui Snider)
Pine cones on a historic cemetery grave marker. (photo by Tui Snider)

Pine trees: Immortality

While it’s true that many coffins have been made from pine, this had more to do with practicality than symbolism. Where pine trees were widely available, they were often used to make coffins.

However, as a symbol (much like other evergreens, including holly, ivy, and yew) pine trees are associated with immortality and eternal life. Rather than lose their leaves each fall, pine trees stay green all year long, and in this way they symbolize the eternal nature of the soul. As for the pine cone, like corn, it may also be considered a fertility symbol because it holds the seeds for the plant.

The pine cones in the photo I shared on today’s post are perfectly centered in the middle of a headstone for a man and wife. What does it mean, exactly?  Most likely, the 3 pine cones are a symbol for the holy trinity. However, since pine cones may also be a fertility symbol, there is a slight chance that they mean the couple had 3 children.

That’s part of the fun of learning graveyard symbols; rather than tell you the whole story, they often point you in the direction you need to go to learn more through your own research!

My book: Understanding Cemetery Symbols

If you enjoy historic cemeteries, you may like to read my book Understanding Cemetery Symbols It’s a handy-dandy guide for taphophiles, genealogists, ghost hunters, and anyone else interested in the historic graveyard symbols that have become forgotten over the years.

Hey, you! Want to keep up with me?

BLOG POSTS: I’ve got 650+ articles here and am constantly adding more!

READ MY BOOKS: Check out my books, including Understanding Cemetery Symbols. It’s available on Amazon in paperback and ebook form.

Want a FREE Guide to Historic Cemeteries?






Sign up below to grab your FREE Cemetery Symbolism Guide:

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Filed Under: Cemeteries & Symbolism, Travel Photo Essays Tagged With: author, cemetery, cemetery symbols, graveyard, graveyard symbols, historic, historic cemetery symbols, Oct15, symbols, Tui Snider, Tui Snider photographer, xmas

How HARO Helps Writers Out!

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What is HARO?

For this month’s IWSG post, I wanted to pass along a helpful tip for writers. It’s called HARO, which stands for Help a Reporter Out. I found out about HARO while standing in the lunch buffet line at DFWcon, a wonderful annual writing conference here in Texas.

There were two authors standing ahead of me, Nina Amir and Harry Hall, and their conversation was so interesting that I not only joined in, but I wound up taking notes as we shuffled along!

Shadow and light (photo by Tui Snider)
HARO can help put you & your work in the spotlight! (photo by Tui Snider)

Why should writers join HARO?

One tip that Nina passed along was that Harry and I should both join HARO, which stands for Help a Reporter Out. As the name suggests, HARO was created to help reporters. It does this by sending out twice daily emails to a large list. The emails contain a list of requests from reporters on a wide variety of topics.

For example, a quick scan of today’s HARO newsletter includes a reporter seeking doctors for opinions about Q-tips, a podcast looking for self-employed people to interview, and a magazine looking for crazy holiday stories. Simply scanning through HARO newsletters can trigger ideas for stories and blog articles of your own!

But the main thing you want to be on the look out for is if any of the experts required for these articles relate to you and the books you write. Maybe you wrote a book set in the 1920’s, and you see a reporter on the lookout for an expert on something you researched for your book, like flapper dresses, bathtub gin, and speakeasys!

Reply to the reporter with your credentials or pitch, (they will spell out exactly what they want from you!) and the next thing you know, you could find you and your book featured in a major news outlet!

How do writers join HARO?

So, how do you get started with HARO? All you do is hop over and sign up for an account. I have a free account, but there are paid options, as well. The HARO interface is easy to use, and the help files make everything nice and clear.

Once you’re signed up, just sit back and wait for the HARO emails to start rolling in twice a day. Since reporters work on tight deadlines, I try to skim through HARO emails as soon as I see them come in. Some days I miss them, and 99% of the time, nothing relates to my area of expertise. Every now and then, however, I’ll see a reporter asking for something that’s a good fit.

When that happens, you simply contact them and wait. And by “wait,” I mean put it out of your mind entirely and move onto the next thing on your to-do list! If they get back to you, great. If they don’t, it’s nothing personal. There are so many people on the HARO newsletter that these reporters get bombarded with replies. Even if what you sent them is perfect for their article, if they already have enough for their assignment, then it’s simply too late.

With HARO, you have to act fast!

A HARO-ing Experience

As I mentioned earlier, even though I skim through HARO every day, I have only responded to a handful of requests. Finding one that is the right fit is a bit of a needle in a haystack venture. Even so, I have had a couple of bites! Last week, for example, my blog got featured on Life Hack. Yee haw!

Check out #17 on this article (it’s me!): 23 Unconventional Places Introverts Would Love to Travel

That article links to a post I wrote about a beautiful Victorian cemetery in London called Kensal Green, and the way the reporter found out about me was because I answered his request on HARO. Nifty, eh?

So, hey there fellow writer; why not give HARO a try? Sure, it’s a bit of a gamble, but you really have nothing to lose by skimming through a couple of emails each day.

What about you? Have you ever used HARO? Have you had any success? Any tips you can pass along?

 

Psst! Looking for Stocking Stuffers?


Since it *is* the holiday season, I’d like to point out that I wrote a strange-but-true tale about a very bad Santa, and guess what? It’s the perfect size for most Christmas stockings! (What are the odds?) Check out this bizarre piece of West Texas history, and grab a copy for anyone on your Christmas list who delights in things that are wee bit quirky:
The Lynching of the Santa Claus Bank Robber

What is IWSG, anyway?

150-InsecureWritersSupportGroupIWSG stands for “Insecure Writers Support Group.” It’s a monthly check-in for writers of all stripes. Its creator, Alex J. Cavanaugh, describes ISWG like this:
“Purpose of IWSG: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!” – Alex J. Cavanaugh

To read other people’s IWSG posts visit: Insecure Writers Support Group.

IWSG SUTFF

Field Guide to Cemetery Symbolism:

I am currently writing a field guide to historic cemetery symbolism. Each week, I share a small snippet from my upcoming book. It’s my goal to create a handy-dandy pocket guide for taphophiles, genealogists, ghost hunters, and anyone else interested in the historic graveyard symbols that have become forgotten over the years.

Which symbols are you curious about?

Let me know in the comments if there is a certain symbol that you are curious about. Also, if you would like to know when the cemetery symbolism guide is available for purchase, scroll down and sign up for my newsletter! I look forward to hearing from you!

Want to read more like this?


To read about more weird, offbeat, and overlooked places, check out my best-selling travel guide:
UNEXPECTED TEXAS: Your Guide to Offbeat & Overlooked History, Day Trips & Fun Things to do near Dallas & Fort Worth
.

For ghost hunting hot spots, check out my best-selling travel guide to haunted places:
PARANORMAL TEXAS: Your Travel Guide to Haunted Places near Dallas & Fort Worth
.

For a strange-but-true tale of Texas history, check out this bizarre piece of West Texas history:
The Lynching of the Santa Claus Bank Robber

 


white-line-separator

Hey, you! Want to come along for the ride?

No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui's books can take you on a FUN adventure!
No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui Snider’s books can take you on a FUN adventure!

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Filed Under: Blog on Writing & Life, Blog Posts, Travel Photo Essays Tagged With: HARO, IWSG, Oct15, Tui Snider, writing advice, writing tips

5 Quirky Facts about Santa Claus – from Terrorism Plots to Bank Robbery

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Big Santa is watching…

You’ve probably been aware of Santa Claus since you were a toddler. Simply knowing a big, bearded guy at the North Pole has the OCD super power ability to not only see your every move, but to determine whether your collective annual activities should be labeled “bad” or “good,” probably even influenced your behavior from time to time.

For instance, once when my nephews were 3 and 5-years-old, I overheard them squabbling in their bedroom. I was just about to step in when the older one said, “We’d better quit fighting.”

“Why?”

“Because Santa is watching.”

Needless to say, their behavior improved dramatically and no policing on my part was needed!

So while you’ve known Santa Claus has been keeping his eye on you your whole life, here are 5 quirky facts about the jolly elf that you may not have been aware of:

Big Santa is watching! (photo by Tui Snider)
Big Santa is watching! (photo by Tui Snider)

1. Santa Claus is Officially the Richest Man on Earth

In 2005, Forbes magazine named Santa Claus the richest man on the planet. Hey, it’s pretty tough to beat a net worth that uses the infinity sign! In addition to revealing the jolly man’s age (1,661 as of this writing), the Forbes article describes Santa as a “tubby toy titan” and dishes the dirt on labor disputes with elves.

2. Santa Claus was a Bachelor until 1849

For centuries, the marital status of Santa Claus was assumed to be single/available. He did, after all, originate as a martyred Christian Saint!

Finally, in 1849 the wife of Santa Claus was mentioned in a short story by James Rees entitled “A Christmas Legend.” Despite this leak to the press, few details were known about Mrs. Claus until 1889, when Katharine Lee Bates published “Goody Santa Claus on a Sleigh Ride.”

Even today, Mrs. Claus’ first name remains debatable, and why the Claus family remains childless is anyone’s guess. In addition, the exact date of Santa’s nuptials has never been revealed. Perhaps, like many celebrities, Santa Claus wanted to keep his marriage sheltered from the press as long as possible.

Come to think of it, despite his jovial habits each winter, Santa Claus is pretty reclusive the rest of the year. And while Santa Claus has an official snail mail address, his personal email appears to be secret.

Of the two, Santa’s wife certainly seems the more tech-savvy. Not only does Mrs. Claus have her own Facebook profile, but she also has as an Amazon author profile, listing a book called, Christmas Carol Lyrics – 264 Songs. And you thought *you* got tired of hearing Christmas carols!

Santa Claus (photo by Tui Snider)
Santa Claus (photo by Tui Snider)

3. In 1974, Terrorists Plotted to Kill Santa

On December 17, 1974 the U.S. Cabinet Committee to Combat Terrorism (CCCT) handed President Gerald Ford an 8-page document stamped “Secret.” While most of this report describes actual terrorist threats, one section is decidedly tongue-in-cheek:

“A new organization of uncertain makeup, using the name ‘Group of the Martyr Ebenezer Scrooge’ plans to sabotage the annual courier flight of the Government of the North Pole. Prime Minister and Chief Courier S. Claus has been notified and security precautions are being coordinated worldwide by the CCCT Working Group.”

I can’t help but think that the writer of the Santa Claus Papers missed a chance here. With a little more imagination, the ‘Group of the Martyr Ebenezer Scrooge’ could have been modified so that the acronym spelled GNOME. Ah, well. I suppose the CCCT had bigger fish to fry!

While the bulk of this 1974 terrorism report was declassified in 1999, for some reason the Clinton administration kept the Santa Claus Papers section blacked out. Were they afraid to reveal that even top government officials have a sense of humor? It wasn’t until 2003 that the Bush administration released the Santa Claus Papers in its entirety.

According to an excellent article by Timothy W. Meier, when a reporter asked why it took so long to declassify the Santa Papers, a spokesman for the CIA revealed that, “The second person who reviewed it for declassification didn’t realize that S. Claus was a source of ours so he left it in. We are going to find out who reviewed the S. Claus declassification and put a lump of coal in their Christmas stocking.”

4. A Newspaper Typo Inspired NORAD’s Annual Santa Tracker

As someone who does a lot of research, I try to sniff out urban legends as quickly as possible. I’m always suspicious of stories that sound too good to be true. So, upon hearing that the reason U.S.-Canada North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) started tracking Santa Claus was due to a newspaper typo, the first thing I did was hop over to my favorite site for debunking urban legends: Snopes.com.

Snopes specializes in tracking the veracity of rumors, both online and off. The next time something seems too good/funny/cute or whatever to be true, see if it’s in the Snopes database before believing it, or passing it along on social media.

Anyway, much to my surprise, the NORAD tale turns out to be true! Here’s the scoop:

Back in 1955, a Sears store in Colorado ran a newspaper ad which included the phone number for a Santa Claus hotline where kiddies could talk to the jolly man 24/7. (To see a photo of the original ad: click here to read the Snopes.com article.)

Due to a typo, the published phone number was actually that of a top secret phone line to NORAD – a phone line that was only supposed to ring in cases of dire emergency!

As call after call came in from children eager to speak with St. Nick, NORAD’s Colonel Harry Shoup chose the “if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em,” tactic and instructed his staff members to provide children with the updates on Santa Claus and his whereabouts.

This tradition, inspired by an advertising typo, is still going strong today! Each year, NORAD tracks the whereabouts of Santa Claus and his reindeer on its website. There’s even an app out now.

Cowboy Santa Claus (photo by Tui Snider)
Cowboy Santa Claus (photo by Tui Snider)

5. Texans Lynched a Very Bad Santa Claus

After a West Texas bank was robbed by a man in a Santa Claus outfit, the pursuit of this bad Santa and his gang created an uproar during the 1927 Christmas season.

After a shootout riddling the bank with no less than 200 bullet holes, a car chase, and the abduction of two little girls, this particular Santa Claus and his gang became the focus of one of the largest manhunts in Texas state history.

And, yes, spoiler alert: Santa Claus eventually gets lynched – but the story does not end there! While researching the case for my book, Santa Claus Bank Robbery: A True Crime Saga in Texas, I found intriguing links to a “mysterious blonde woman” who appears in several eye-witness accounts, someone who may have even gotten away with murder!

It makes a great stocking stuffer!

My book, Santa Claus Bank Robbery: A True Crime Saga in Texas, makes a great stocking stuffer for anyone in your life who loves history, strange-but-true stories, true crime, quirky facts, the “weird west,” or simply needs a fun book to read on their next airplane flight!

Check out #IndieBookmas for more book ideas

If you have any readers left on your Christmas list, check out the #IndieBookmas Holiday Gift Guide. This is a list of books from a wide variety of genres. There’s bound to be the perfect book on there for everyone on your list.

There you have it. I hope you learned something new about that bearded guy up north who already knows everything about you.

And remember: Santa Claus is watching!

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No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui's books can take you on a FUN adventure!
No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui Snider’s books can take you on a FUN adventure!

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Filed Under: Blog on Writing & Life, Blog Posts, Travel Photo Essays Tagged With: history, norad, Oct15, quirky santa, santa claus, santa claus bank robbery, santa tracker, terrorism plot, Texas, texas history, the santa papers, Tui Snider, xmas

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