Streator has borne two published writers who also happen to be brothers.

Thomas A. and Peter G. Thomas, sons of Pat Thomas of Streator, are both published authors. Thomas has published a book of poetry titled "Getting Here." Some of these poems and accompanying photos "date back to the author's early days in the cornfields and woods of central Illinois."

Peter's first published work, "A Short Ride in a Mobile Home," is a novel centered on a space shuttle disguised as a mobile home that travels to the far distant world, Serenus (the fourth planet in the San System) and the Serenan Empire, a part of an imaginary galaxy and universe about which Peter took meticulous notes.

Peter was the owner of Peter's Pet Emporium on Route 23 north of Streator for 28 years. He died in November, almost a year after he was diagnosed with kidney cancer. His mother has been working since his death on compiling the four nearly-completed books he worked on until a week before he died.

"He thought he'd finish the books himself," his mother, Pat told the Times. "He didn't think he was going to die. He thought the medicine was working."

Peter was dyslexic in first grade, but upon learning to read and write in elementary school, he became a lifelong avid writer. He attended Streator Township High School and graduated from Western Illinois University in 1979 with a degree in business.

He was awarded an honorable mention for his entry in Writers Digest's 75th annual short story contest for "Boiled in Ice Water." This was from among 19,000 entrants.

His interests included nature, animals, plants, astronomy, Japanese anime, science fiction, fantasy, computers, photography and learning about words, geography and science. He included many of these interests as part of his writings.

"A lot of science fiction is gory," Pat Thomas said. "His are not technical or gory. He's more for gentle humor. When you get through, you feel good about it."

This gentle humor Peter used in his books was part of his personality and is what endeared him to the many people who knew him through his business.

"A lot of people wrote how gentle and kind he was," said Thomas. "He was always smiling. He always talked to kids and treated them as if they bought something big instead of a 25-cent goldfish. He enjoyed people, his store and his customers."

"Everything I sell goes into an account to publish his next books," Thomas said.

Peter's brother, Thomas, lives in Washington state with his wife, Shaun, and children, Megan and Johnny.

His book "Getting Here" is a collection of freestyle poems written over a number of years. Much of the book is themed around nature. He also took the photos included with the poetry. Some of the poems from this book were included in manuscripts and won Avery and Jules Hopwood awards at the University of Michigan in 1974 (Minor Award) and 1976 (Major Award) Some also were published in the Anaesthesia Review and in The Periodical Launch.

According to the author on the book's back cover, the poems in "Getting Here" range from lyrical to surrealistic, despairing to sublime. The personae range from the monstrous, to the shamanistic to the shamelessly in love.

Thomas attended Streator High and graduated from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, with a degree in creative writing. His early interests in high school revolved around science, but with the encouragement of a high school English teacher, he began to write more. During his time at Michigan, he met the famous poet Robert Bly.

According to his mother, Thomas is continuing to write and has been working on a fairly big project for the last couple of years. He does readings around the Olympia and Seattle area and continues his education. His reading for "Approaching Here" was set to music and dance at the University of Michigan. He attends literary conferences and poetry workshops as well.

Both books are self-published. Peter's book "A Short Ride in a Mobile Home" was published by Infinity Publishing and Thomas' book, "Getting Here" was published by Trafford Publishing Co.

Both books can be purchased from the Book Mouse in Ottawa. Peter's book also can be found in St. Mary's Hospital gift shop in Streator. "Getting Here" by Thomas A. Thomas, can be purchased online at www.trafford.com. "A Short Ride in a Mobile Home" by Peter Griffith Thomas can be purchased from Infinity Publishing at www.buybooksontheweb.com.

"I'm proud of both of my sons for what they've accomplished and continue to accomplish," Pat Thomas concluded.

Excerpt from "Getting Here" by Thomas A. Thomas From "Dear Stranger, Return"

Ihave burned sage for you,

and made the house warm,

prayed you will come,

yet fear your approach.

I do not offer simplicity or ease,

sanctuary or escape.

But, dear stranger, Ibelieve this is so:

When the heart is ready, the loved one appears.