Wendy Schultz
Salem
Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Wendy Schultz
Between the covers: “Seeing Daylight” by Suzanne Morgan Williams
From the first sentence readers are captured by the voice of Ben O’Mara, a 19-year-old combat veteran. As he returns from Iraq to his family’s ranch in Nevada, Ben brings with him a traumatic brain injury, piecemeal memories and post-traumatic stress disorder. Despite the loving support of his family, Ben tries to keep his struggles secret as he relearns how to talk, walk and read. Doubts about himself and his future plague him — he’s not the same and never will be.
Keeping 'an oar in the water' - Local inventor, advisor reflects on successes in new book Original
It’s 5,802 miles from Placerville to Moscow but an even bigger jump from growing up on a pear farm near El Dorado to meetings at the Kremlin with Mikhail Gorbachev and advising the leaders of a Communist country about how to improve their economy. Steven Puthuff, now 84, made that jump in 1979 when he was 38 years old.
Local author releases rousing mystery
Huzzah! The newest offering from El Dorado Hills/Cameron Park/now Granite Bay author Cindy Sample was released Oct. 2 and it’s a doozy! Volume 2 of the Spindrift Cove Mystery series, “All’s Faire in Love and Murder” takes place at the Renaissance Faire in Spindrift Cove, Wash. as Sierra Sullivan, a former cruise ship director, takes on the role of lady-in-waiting to the Queen and ends up doing some sleuthing as well. What’s afoot when the Ren Queen is found foully murdered?
Local author releases mystery set at a ren faire
Huzzah! The newest offering from El Dorado Hills/Cameron Park/ now Granite Bay author, Cindy Sample, comes out on Oct. 2 and it’s a doozy! Volume 2 of the Spindrift Cove Mystery series, “All’s Faire in Love and Murder,” takes place at the Renaissance Faire in Spindrift Cove, Wash. as Sierra Sullivan, a former cruise ship director, takes on the role of lady-in-waiting to the Queen and ends up doing some sleuthing as well. What’s afoot when the Ren Queen is found foully murdered?
RIVER OF LIGHT: ACCEPTING MYSELF AND MY POTENTIAL
By Wendy Schultz July 22, 2024 (San Diego) -- Wendy Schultz, a resident of Oceanside, recently released a fictional story, River of Light. It seems so real that I initially believed the book was a memoir. It begins with the main character wanting to change her name. A judge tells her that by persisting and insisting others use her preferred name, she’ll succeed in changing from being Fresno Bakersfield Ingersoll to Clare Elizabeth Ingersoll.
Between The Covers: 'Sierra Blue'
Suzanne Morgan Williams Published September 2023 ebook and paperback versions, 250 pages Almost every girl has dreamed about having her own horse, but in “Sierra Blue,” Magic Kendall doesn’t have those kind of dreams. At almost 15, Magic is having the kind of dreams that tell her things about the future. She can see auras, especially those of animals … and she doesn’t want anyone to know.
Between the Covers: 'Dying for a Decoration'
(Laurel McKay Humorous Mystery Series, Book 9) By Cindy Sample Published Nov.15, 2023, Kindle and paperback versions, 255 pages Racking your brain for the perfect gift? Want to give yourself a present that will bring you laughs and an escape from doom and gloom? Check and check. Just in time for the holidays is “Dying for a Decoration,” the ninth and newest book by Cameron Park author Cindy Sample, featuring soccer mom and intrepid sleuth Laurel McKay.
If we can’t end the housing crisis, end application fees
To Montana Legislators Fern, Hamilton, Gillette, Galloway, Yakanich, Buckly, Stafman, Dooling, Kortum, Malone, Essman, O’Brien, Fitzpatric, Hertz, Springer, Nikilakakos, Pope, Boldman, Caferro, L.Smith, McKay, Zephyr, Nicol and Hayman: I am writing to thank you for your bills addressing housing and/or homelessness in the latest legislative session.
Between the Covers: Spooky tales for all to enjoy
Book: "Spooky America: The Ghostly Tales of Lake Tahoe" Author: Kate Byrne Publisher: Arcadia Children’s Books, 2023, softcover, 112 pages Secret tunnels, mythical beasts, haunted hotel rooms and spooky casinos — “The Ghostly Tales of Lake Tahoe” is a collection of stories about the creepy doings all around Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in North America. Although the stories are written with children ages 8 through 12 in mind, they are tales that people of any age will enjoy.
Between the Covers: ‘To Face the Rising Sun’ takes place in familiar places with unfamiliar characters
Book: “To Face the Rising Sun: Book One of the Or’Dara Chronicles” Author: Sandra K. Sullivan Publisher: Wisterian Books, 2014, soft-cover and Kindle versions, 634 pages The journey through the teenage years can be a tumultuous time, but when 13-year-old Ariena Laurada is also dealing with the loss of her mother, her father’s debilitating illness, the problems of school and strangers who keep trying to abduct her … it’s all a bit much. Then she begins to develop extraordinary powers.
Between the Covers: “Birthdays Are Murder”
“Birthdays are Murder” A Spindrift Cove Mystery by Cindy Sample Published February 2022 Paperback and ebook versions, 254 pages Wahoo — a new mystery series by Cameron Park author Cindy Sample! Those familiar with Sample’s previous mysteries — “Dying for a Date,” “Dying for a Donut,” “Dying for a Dance,” Dying for a Dude,” “Dying for a Daiquiri,” “Dying for a Diamond,” “Dying for a Deal” and “Dying for a Double” — are going to be thrilled with “Birthdays Are Murder,” vol.
Between the Covers: “Birthdays Are Murder”
“Birthdays are Murder” A Spindrift Cove Mystery by Cindy Sample Published February 2022 Paperback and ebook versions, 254 pages Wahoo — a new mystery series by Cameron Park author Cindy Sample! Those familiar with Sample’s previous mysteries — “Dying for a Date,” “Dying for a Donut,” “Dying for a Dance,” Dying for a Dude,” “Dying for a Daiquiri,” “Dying for a Diamond,” “Dying for a Deal” and “Dying for a Double” — are going to be thrilled with “Birthdays Are Murder,” vol.
Between the Covers: “The Dreams of Gerontius”
“The Dreams of Gerontius” by Michael Easterling Published by Valley Oak Publications, November 2021 Hardcover, paperback and Kindle versions, 204 pages Cat lovers rejoice! At last there is a book testifying to the intellectual superiority of cats. That being said, “The Dreams of Gerontius” is not a book about cats. It’s a book with cats in it, about the human experience and how we often become stuck, by our own habits and lack of spiritual energy, into living a life that is not our best life.
Lessons learned from volunteering
I’ve been a library volunteer, a Habitat for Humanity volunteer, a volunteer to clean up Placerville and an in-home volunteer for Snowline Hospice — and I’m pretty sure I always received more out of volunteering than I ever put into it. This isn’t to say that I wasn’t dedicated and hard working as a volunteer, but the lessons I learned and the people I met were always … more.
It’s Always Something Else: Bugging out gets real … and goes on forever
There’s a bit more to bugging out than packing. There is throwing away, donating, selling, patching holes, the logistics of getting as many boxes in a U-Haul trailer as possible, contacting friends and family and saying goodbye again and again, calling the utility companies and transferring or terminating, post office changes, bank changes and the many, many papers that must be signed when selling or purchasing a house in California that keep you chained to your laptop.
It’s Always Something Else: Bugging out to COVID country
We are heading to Southern California — COVID country — bugging out to be one with our daughter and grandchildren, moving to a more temperate clime and a more crowded traffic system. Why, oh why, would we leave El Dorado County — the land of trees and clean air — to relocate to the land of strip malls, desert and brown? I blame it on Capt. James Tiberius Kirk of the U.S.S. Enterprise.
It’s Always Something Else: You might be a liberal/conservative if …
I’m a bit confused by the labels “conservative” and “liberal,” especially when people like John Bolton say that Trump, a relatively new Republican, isn’t conservative or competent enough for him to vote for, and that Biden is a Democrat so “philosophically” he can’t vote for him either. Instead, Bolton plans to write in the name of a conservative Republican.
It's Always Something Else: Recognizing Juneteenth ... a little late
I missed Juneteenth. Actually, I had already written a column and it was being published when I realized that it was June 19. Up until last year, I had never heard of Juneteenth. El Dorado County is a fairly homogenous place. While there are Native Americans who have lived here for centuries, Mexican immigrants and Mexican-Americans, people of Indian ancestry, African-Americans and Asian-Americans, the majority of the people who live here are white.
It’s Always Something Else: To mask or not to mask - that is the question
Dog faces, moustaches, plain black, disposable, washable, bandannas, team colors, cotton, plastic, elastic and N-95 — masks have become precautionary, mandatory, encouraged, suggested and … a fashion statement. Personalized masks, fashion designer masks with bling and matching shirts, masks with smiles printed on them and masks with company logos — observing the many styles and colors is just plain fun. Some make a statement i.e. “I Can’t Breathe” and others are just goofy.
It’s Always Something Else: Hello again and covert during COVID
Hello again. It’s so nice to see you — not on Zoom or Facetime, just right here in front of me … even if we are elbow or foot bumping and we’re wearing masks. Even if in the pre-COVID days we only tolerated each other. It’s just good to be together again. It’s like when you’re in a foreign country and you don’t speak the language and you can’t read the street signs and you’re lost.
It’s Always Something Else: Some big questions and a little gratitude
Now that things are beginning to reopen, at least in El Dorado County, some thoughts come to mind. The first is gratitude for COVID-19. While I am certainly not grateful for the thousands of people who have died as the result of COVID-19 I have to admit that I am grateful to the virus for cold-cocking the political news for the past three months. Only now are the political ads starting to air on TV.
Between the Covers: ‘The Kitchen in the Cellar: A Recipe for Reinvention’
“The Kitchen in the Cellar: A Recipe for Reinvention” by Teena Hildebrand Published 2019 by Narrow Gate Vineyards Hardcover, 273 pages “The Kitchen in the Cellar” is more than a cookbook — it also offers a journey of reinvention, a viticulture education, instruction on how to do food and wine pairing and an inspiration for all those who have dreamed of changing the course of their lives.
It’s Always Something Else: Going to the movies after quarantine
Even though we get out every day to walk the dog or play Frisbee at one of the school playgrounds, we’re still sheltering in place — because we’re seniors, because things are still closed, because it’s too hard to work around the new rules, because we planted the garden. We miss our children and grandchildren, we miss meeting with our neighbors to play Mexican Train, we miss barbecues with friends and we miss going on trips to exotic places. I miss the library and my hospice patients.
It's Always Something Else: Days of wine and ... more wine
Day 957 of COVID-19 quarantine We get to rake pine needles today. It’s our most reliable form of entertainment since Mother Nature has blessed us with an endless supply. After raking and bagging, we will take a nap. And then it will be cocktail hour. It’s five o’clock somewhere. My husband just informed me that it’s only Day 30. Whatever. Day 31 It’s haircut day. I have the clippers, the thinning scissors, the regular scissors.
It’s always something else: My my my corona or that ship has sailed
We booked a cruise last April. We paid for it and all the excursions, as well as hotel and show reservations in New York City at the tail end of the cruise. And then it was canceled. We had already planned to cancel after watching ship after ship become floating petri dishes and happy cruisers become unhappy quarantine victims. I wasn’t worried about getting the coronavirus; I just didn’t want to be holed up in a hotel room at Travis for two weeks like a witness hiding from a mob hit.
Book reveals contribution by Jewish pioneers
Book: “Images of America: Jewish Gold Country” Author: Jonathan Friedmann Publisher: Arcadia Publishing and The History Press, published March 2020, paperback, 128 pages If you think you know all about the California Gold Rush and the many players involved in it, “Images of America: Jewish Gold Country” may surprise you.
It’s Always Something Else: It’s your lucky day
Triskaidekaphobia is the fear and avoidance of the number 13; fear of Friday the 13th. I see you, the one avoiding black cats, walking around ladders, throwing salt over your left shoulder, looking for four-leaf clovers and attaching a rabbit’s foot key chain to your backpack. Or maybe you aren’t. It might depend on your age.
‘Ramblin’ Red’ offers two stories in one
Book: “Ramblin’ Red” Author: Michael Easterling Publisher: Valley Oak Publication, January 2020, softcover and Kindle versions, 202 pages It’s been a prolific year for Michael Easterling.
It’s Always Something Else: Teach your children what you really want to see
Why are we spending millions of dollars creating programs and training mentors to teach kids not to bully? Schools have zero-tolerance bullying policies, children are encouraged to say something if they see something, children’s TV programming features stories about how to deal with bullies and the phrase “body-shaming” is now a part of our anti-bullying vocabulary. But why are we wasting our time?
‘Jasper’ blends the desert, history, geology and adventure
Book: “Jasper” Author: Michael Easterling Publisher: Valley Oak Publication, December 2019, softcover and Kindle, 244 pages Aurfryn Owen, a Welshman fleeing from the horrors of the Great War, comes to the California desert with stars in his eyes and gold fever in his blood. The tenderfoot gets a little assistance from new friends in his prospecting endeavors, even though they are convinced Owen is years too late and much too naïve to be successful.
It’s Always Something Else: A Valentine for humans
This is a love letter. Dear Human, I have loved you in all your various shapes and sizes; in good times and in bad; in snow and in sunshine. I love you even when you refuse to see the obvious and when you make me angry. Why do I love you? There are so many reasons, Human.
It’s Always Something Else: There’s an app for that
When I was in high school a reputation defender was a person — a boyfriend who would threaten to break the kneecaps of anyone who slandered you or a best friend or family member who would speak up when others talked trash about you. Girls were warned by parents and grandparents not to get a “reputation.” In my mother’s generation you didn’t want to be thought “fast”; in my generation you didn’t want to be a slut.
It’s Always Something Else: The longest goodbye
I’ve been saying goodbye to my mother for 10 years. Little by little, and sometimes in great big chunks, dementia ripped holes in the fabric of her being, allowing the essence of who she was to slip away, leaving a familiar-looking stranger. Every goodbye was a real goodbye because the things Mom could do changed, the way she reacted changed, the food she liked changed and the parts of her that seemed essentially her changed.
It’s Always Something Else: High crimes, misdemeanors and wishes for 2020
Doesn’t “High Crimes and Misdemeanors” sound like a great title for a murder mystery novel? Maybe a humorous one like the ones my friend Cindy Sample writes so well. I could use an impeachment chuckle. This year of 2020, when clear vision is needed, I make no resolutions and no predictions. No resolutions because this is a Leap Year, an Olympics year and an election year — too much action already happening to clutter it up with resolutions.
It’s Always Something Else: Purposely suffering through horseradish hell
Horseradish is amazing stuff. It adds a bit of zing to cocktail sauce, bloody marys, prime rib, Dijon mustard and a host of other things. Unlike the heat of chilies, horseradish heat goes up — up through your sinuses and out through the top of your head. Once it exits your head, it’s gone altogether, leaving your taste buds intact and still functioning, again, unlike the heat of peppers. Horseradish volunteered in a shady corner of our garden years ago.
‘Extraordinary Dogs’ tells 40 heroic stories
"Extraordinary Dogs: Stories from Search and Rescue Dogs, Comfort Dogs, and Other Canine Heroes" “Extraordinary Dogs: Stories from Search and Rescue Dogs, Comfort Dogs, and Other Canine Heroes” Book: “Extraordinary Dogs: Stories from Search and Rescue Dogs, Comfort Dogs, and Other Canine Heroes” Author: Liz Stavrinides and John Schlimm Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, published October 2019, hardcover and Kindle versions 288 pages Not everyone likes dogs, but the dogs in “Extraordinary Dogs”...
It’s Always Something Else: Goodbye and good luck - change always happens
Combellack’s, Randolph’s Jewelers, Renfro’s, Kmart, Sears, Rocky’s Art and Framing, Front Yard Nursery, Sierra Western Wear, Centro, Cozmic Cafe, Affordable Furniture, Baskin-Robbins — it’s a lineup of loss. Businesses El Dorado County relied on for many years have closed their doors, mostly because the owners are retiring. It’s a good thing for the owners, to move on to the next chapter of their lives, but it’s tough on the people who have patronized the businesses.
T.W. Bonkers Toy and Candy Emporium is a one stop shop
Isabella Nothwang, 16 months old, of Angels Camp points to a collection of Baby dolls on display at T.W. Bonkers Toy and Candy Emporium. Photo by Shelly Thorene “I do something fun every day or I’d go … bonkers,” said T.W. Bonkers Toy and Candy Emporium owner Tony Windle. Could you go bonkers at Bonkers? The answer is yes — there is so much to see and do — playing with toys, eating truffles, playing retro arcade games and just having a lot of fun checking out all of Bonkers’ merchandise.
Everything you wanted and more at Placerville Hardware
Placerville Hardware owner Albert Fausel stands in the middle of the gift shop area that features gifts for everyone. Photo by Shelly Thorene It’s been reputed that if you can’t find what you need at Placerville Hardware, then it doesn’t exist because Placerville Hardware, 441 Main St. in Placerville, has everything.
It’s Always Something Else: Why I write about Trump
I’m not a politically inclined person. I have voted 12 times for presidents and sometimes the candidate I voted for won the election and sometimes they didn’t. That’s the way democracy works. So, it’s not that I’m a sore loser — it’s that I’m worried and concerned. This is not an apology, but an explanation. When I was covering Placerville City Council meetings for the newspaper there was a small group of people that perennially dissed almost everything that came before the council.
‘Dying for a Double’ is a fun read
Book: “Dying for a Double” Author: Cindy Sample Publisher: Cindy Sample, Oct. 27, 2019, paperback and ebook versions, 257 pages Movie stars, murder, a bevy of El Dorado Roses, historical Coloma and chaos — this is the winning recipe for Cindy Sample’s eighth book “Dying for a Double.” And it’s the perfect recipe for a cozy night’s read, curled up on a couch, wearing your favorite sweats and enjoying an adult beverage.
It’s Always Something Else: Veterans I have known and loved
Monday, Nov. 11, is Veterans Day — the day we honor those who have served our country in the military. Over the years, as a Mountain Democrat reporter, I have had the honor of listening to almost 100 veterans and writing their stories. Some shared their experiences willingly; others needed coaxing to bring forth the story of their service. Some were combat veterans; others served in support services.
‘Fathers and Sons’ explores life’s choices
Book: “Fathers and Sons” Author: Alec Hamlin Published: Aug. 25, Kindle and paperback versions, 316 pages “Fathers and Sons,” is a violent book about violent men who do violent things for a living and who pray that their sons choose a different path — except for mob boss, Vincent Dominichelli who is frustrated and angry that his son isn’t like him at all. Or is he?
It’s Always Something Else: Big dogs, little dogs and other things
Crocodiles and snakes in the moat, shooting the legs of migrants attempting illegal entry, purchasing Greenland, suggesting to foreign political leaders that they should investigate the Fearful Tweeter’s political rivals — I know you actually can make this stuff up, but who needs to? I’m not writing about Trump this week, no, not gonna do it, despite the provocation and strong temptation.
‘Strangers at the Gate’ keeps readers guessing
Book: “Strangers at the Gate” Author: Catriona McPherson Publisher: Minotaur Books, published Oct. 22, hardcover, Kindle and audiobook versions, 368 pages A law partnership, a full-time new job as a church deacon and a free cottage to live in for a year — Finnie Doyle and her husband, Paddy Lamb, are in clover. But is it too good to be true?
New fun is brewing in Placerville for Oktoberfest
The burgomeister will tap the keg to open the Oktoberfest on Saturday Oct. 19. Photo by Patrick Dollins Pickles, a 7 year old Dachshund races to the finish line during the Wiener Dog Races at last year’s Oktoberfest on Main Street in Placerville. Photo by Patrick Dollins Ladies hold mugs of beer with an out stretched arm over a rope to see who can hold out the longest in the Mighty Mug contest at last year’s Oktoberfest celebration in Placerville.
It’s Always Something Else: Useless facts for fall
I love useless facts — who knows why. Maybe it’s because little-known or useless facts feel like something you aren’t supposed to know. Some facts I recently came across include the fact that the average American spends 2.5 days a year looking for lost items and that while our government prints out $974 million a year in currency, Parker Brothers prints $30 billion in Monopoly funny money each year.
It’s Always Something Else: In other words
Recently, I’ve really tried to avoid writing anything about The Trump — but there’s just so much material, so many things that just aren’t right, such a wealth of bad decisions and fallaciloquence. Fallaciloquence is a word on its way out of the dictionary due to lack of use and because it’s really hard to pronounce, so I wanted to use it before it’s gone. Already my Spellcheck doesn’t recognize it.
It’s Always Something Else: 65 and still alive
In three days I turn 65. Holy Medicare, Batman, how did this happen? To be clear, while I am grateful that I am still alive at 65 I am puzzled that it seems to have arrived so quickly. The past six months have seen a blitzkrieg of pamphlets reminding me that I am rapidly approaching “that age,” the age of Medicare, and offering me a variety of choices as to my healthcare coverage.
It’s Always Something Else: Didja know?
Didja know that when you think you are voting for the next president and vice-president of the United States, you are not. Instead, you are voting for a slate of electoral representatives, who, in turn, do the actual voting.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Wendy
Contact Wendy, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack