Thursday Thirteen #12

Thirteen Opening Lines from Classic Novels

You Should Have Read by Now
(can you name the book?)

1. "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man inpossession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife."
Answer (highlight to see it): Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen

2. "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness..."
Answer: A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

3. Tell me, O Muse, of that ingenious hero who travelled far and wide after he had sacked the famous town of Troy.
Answer: Homer's The Odyssey

4. "A throng of bearded men, in sad-coloured garments and greysteeple-crowned hats, inter-mixed with women, some wearinghoods, and others bareheaded, was assembled in front of a woodenedifice, the door of which was heavily timbered with oak, andstudded with iron spikes."
Answer: The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (this is from chapter one, not the introduction)

5. "A surging, seething, murmuring crowd of beings that are human only in name, for to the eye and ear they seem naught but savage creatures, animated by vile passions and by the lust of vengeance and of hate."
Answer: The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy


6. "Tom!"
Answer: Come on! You didn't have to check this one, did you? Really?
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. You know who wrote it.


7. "There was no possibility of taking a walk that day."
Answer: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte


8. "The boy with fair hair lowered himself down the last few feet of rock and began to pick his way toward the lagoon."
Answer: The Lord of the Flies by William Golding

9. "It was a bright cold day in April and the clocks were striking thirteen."
Answer: 1984 by George Orwell

10. "On an exceptionally hot evening early in July a young man came out of the garret in which he lodged in S. Place and walked slowly, as though
in hesitation, towards K. Bridge."
Answer: Crime & Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

11. "In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since."
Answer: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

12. "This book is largely concerned with Hobbits, and from its pages a reader may discover much of their character and a little of their history."
Answer: The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien

13. "The Salinas Valley is in Northern California."
Answer: East of Eden by John Steinbeck

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Thursday Thirteen #12

http://colleengleason.blogspot.com/2006/11/thursday-thirteen-12.html

I can now add "Piano Mover" to my repertoire...

I'm sure you're all delighted and astonished to know that, yes, I can now say I've moved pianos.

It's quite an art, really. Have you ever seen anyone move a grand piano? It's really very interesting, breathtaking, and yet frightening--especially when it's your dear husband under the big thing.

But let me back up.

When I first met my Music Man, he was trying to find himself after five years of working as an engineer. (If you know anything about my MM, you'd know that having him sit at a computer station all day, every day, on a certain schedule, in the midst of corporate politics, just isn't him. I shudder to think of it!)

Anyway, he was trying to "find" himself and one of the things he did when we first met was move pianos for almost a year. He worked with a big guy named Jimbo, and they were perfectly suited to work together: they read each other's minds, and that made moving those big instruments a piece of cake. Jimbo taught my guy everything he knew.

For awhile, my MM owned a grand piano (are you starting to see where the moniker comes from?) that he leased out to musicians when they visited Philadelphia (where we lived at the time)--for jazz fests, for example, or other traveling musicians (such as the late, great Warren Zevon).

Once, during their heyday, Wilson Phillips leased the piano and he had to bring it to a small little studio where they were rehearsing. We got to sit in on a very impromptu and extremely intimate session with the gals--my big brush with fame! Woohoo!

Anyway, this long story's getting really out of hand, but suffice to say that Music Man has lots of experience moving the big instruments. And one time, he moved our grand piano by himself.

When a grand is moved, in case you aren't aware, its legs are removed and it's tipped onto its side--the straight side opposite that curved one, so that the curved one is toward the ceiling. And it's put on the little piano dolley that they use to relocate the instrument.

For me, it was a combination of horror and total turn-on. I kept waiting for the darn thing to crash over to one side, yet I couldn't look away, 'cause there were a lot of bulging muscles and interesting grimacing going on.

And of course, I could do little but stand there and gape. He moved it out of the little house we lived in (fortunately, there weren't any stairs) and onto a big truck. All by himself.

So, here we are, more than fifteen years later, and while he doesn't move pianos very often, because he's a Music Man, sometimes he gets into a situation where a piano has to be moved...and, well, since he considers himself the best mover in the business (no confidence problems there!), he often manages the move.

Last night, a last-minute move came up and he called to see if I would help since he couldn't get ahold of his regular helper. I nearly fell off my chair, but, since I'd been procrastinating on my own work, I seized the opportunity.

My payment, he said, would be dinner out. I was delighted (you all know how much I love to eat out), yet more than a bit frightened.

What if the darn thing fell on me and broke my fingers so I couldn't type?

Anyway, it was a piece of cake. Couldn't have been an easier move (thank goodness). First of all, it wasn't a grand, and secondly, it was a smallish little upright.

I did very little but move wadded-up blankets around so they'd be in the right position when he lowered the piano to the ground/floor/sidewalk, etc. Although I did help to push it up a little ramp over the front steps of the house.

He snapped out orders to me (admitting later that he realized I wasn't Jimbo, but I was at least a lot prettier than he was~and I provided fringe benefits he never got from Jimbo), and I managed to get through the move with nary a scratch or broken nail.

And, the lady whose house we moved it to was delighted to hear I was an author (when I wasn't moving pianos), and she can't wait for my book to come out.

And then the Music Man took me to dinner. What more could a girl ask for?

I can now add "Piano Mover" to my repertoire...

http://colleengleason.blogspot.com/2006/11/i-can-now-add-piano-mover-_116480948572089392.html

Retro Tuesday: '80s Lyrics Quiz #8

Name the band...

1. To have you with me I would
swim the seven seas
2. Crazy little woman in a one
man show
3. Went the distance, now I'm
back on my feet
4. Got in a little hometown jam,
so they put a rifle in my hand
5. There is freedom within,
there is freedom without
6. But whatever road you choose,
I'm right behind you win or lose
7. I need fifty dollars to make
you holler
8. So let's sink another drink `cause it'll give me time to think
9. Goddess on the mountain top
10. Couldn't see how much I missed you (now I do)
11. They even bother my poor father `cause he's down with me
12. Where can I find a woman like that
13. Paul, I think I told you I'm a lover not a fighter
14. Mine's an ordinary life, working when it's daylight and sleeping
when it's night
15. I had a whiskey on the rocks and change of a dollar for the jukebox

(and yayyy! I have an excuse to post a pic of my favorite singer!)

Retro Tuesday: '80s Lyrics Quiz #8

http://colleengleason.blogspot.com/2006/11/retro-tuesday-80s-lyrics-quiz-8.html

"Frankly my dear..."

This is the time of year I always remember the first time I watched, and then, later, the first time I read, Gone With the Wind.

I don't remember how old I was when I first saw it--likely in middle school--but it was over Thanksgiving break, and I was immediately in love with Rhett, of course.

It wasn't until years later that I actually picked up the book to read--during my first week of college final exams (mid December), when I should have been studying. (Not the smartest move I've ever made.)

Fortunately, I passed all my classes (respectable As and Bs) and still managed to read the book in less than a week.

I'm thinking this might be the year I'll introduce my oldest daughter to the movie (she's ten) because she's fallen in love with Sense & Sensibility and Pride & Prejudice. (She's obviously her mother's daughter.)

I remember once when I was in college, a friend of mine watched the movie while it was on TV. She told me the next day that I reminded her of Scarlett. I'm still trying to figure out if that's a compliment or not....

Anyway, my favorite scenes are when Scarlett dresses up in the curtains and goes to visit Rhett in jail. He's just so suave and cool...and then it's a bit heart-breaking when he realizes Scarlett's not there because she cares about him, but because she wants something from him.

And I love the scene where he sweeps her up in his arms in that blood-red gown she's wearing, and carries her up the staircase. (And then the next morning where she looks like a cat that's been into the cream.)

Poor Rhett. Talk about the perfect reformed rake. The perfect character arc of selfishness and superficiality that culminates in "twu wuv," only to have it dashed away by the inimitable Scarlett.

So perfectly matched they were, yet Scarlett's character didn't grow along the same path as Rhett's. While he came to learn selflessness and deep, abiding love, she learned she could only rely on herself to get what she wanted.

One of the most romantic stories ever told, yet it doesn't have a happy ending. Or does it?

Do you think Scarlett ever got Rhett back?

"Frankly my dear..."

http://colleengleason.blogspot.com/2006/11/frankly-my-dear.html

Who's shopping today?

...and who's recovering from eating too much, cooking too much, drinking too much, napping too much?

Me? I'm having lunch with my two best writing buddies while everyone else is pounding the pavement at the stores.

I'm much too impatient to wait in lines and push through crowds and organize my shopping. I'm more of a haphazard kind of girl.

So, lunch with the ladies. Hopefully, the new James Bond tonight with the Music Man.

Hope all who celebrated Thanksgiving had a great one!

Who's shopping today?

http://colleengleason.blogspot.com/2006/11/whos-shopping-today.html

Thursday Thirteen #11

Thirteen Things I'm NOT
Thankful for on this
Thanksgiving Day

1. Gravity
(But only when a full package of eggs slips out of the grocery bag as I'm carrying it into the house. Otherwise, gravity's good.)

2. The person who took my parking place
at the grocery store yesterday
The only other empty spot was at the other end of the lot, way out in the boonies.
And I had lots to buy.

3. Lima beans
Truly. Do they have any taste? No. So why bother?

4. The person who cut me off in traffic and nearly caused an accident
However, I would forgive them if they had a medical emergency and was, perhaps, rushing a laboring woman to the hospital.
Then I'd wish them luck.

5. The man who killed those Amish girls at their school.
I'm still devastated about that.

6. The new Rocky Balboa movie

Give me a break. He's actually going to fight?


7. Paris Hilton
(I need say no more, do I?)


8. Pouring, blasting, windy thunderstorms
but only when I'm stuck without an umbrella and I'm cold...
otherwise, bring'em on!

9. The way the long strap on my purse accidentally gets caught on the edges of things all too often, causing me to jerk back suddenly, or, worse, bump into something when I'm jerked back suddenly

10. Radical fundamentalists
(is that redundant?)

11. Japanese Beetles
on my raspberries, on my roses, on everything all summer! Ugh!

12. People who don't have families, or who aren't close to them

13. Popcorn without real butter on it
(I mean, why bother?)

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving to all of you celebrating it!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Thursday Thirteen #11

http://colleengleason.blogspot.com/2006/11/thursday-thirteen-11.html

Busy day?

I know it's going to be for me.

Not only are we hosting the Big Dinner tomorrow (which of course means, not only cleaning, but washing napkins/tablecloths/plates/silver), but I'm way behind on other things. Such as actually buying the food to prepare for the dinner.

Oh, and figuring out the menu items.

Fortunately, we usually do a traditional meal, so I only have to decide on dessert (other than the requisite pumpkin pie which my MIL will bring) and what stuffing to make. So I'm not too stressed out about that.

But then I realized yesterday that I don't have a big enough roasting pan for my 20-pound turkey, and so I have to drive up to borrow one from my MIL, and we were just there on Sunday. Doh!

And then there's the fact that I'm in the middle of a scene in Gardella 3 that I really just want to finish, but may not have the time to do before all heck breaks loose here.

So, anyway, that's my day. How about yours?

(and tomorrow, even though it's Turkey Day, I'll be blogging for Thursday Thirteen: Thirteen Things I'm NOT Thankful For!)

Busy day?

http://colleengleason.blogspot.com/2006/11/busy-day.html

Hilarious! (and on topic)

The new Harry Potter trailer is out! Yay!!

And I just watched Pride & Prejudice the other night with Keira Knightley (as I mentioned).

So, without further ado:



(Thanks to Zeek for sharing this first!)

Hilarious! (and on topic)

http://colleengleason.blogspot.com/2006/11/hilarious-and-on-topic.html

Way cool!

Check out this cool list of reasons why Heather Harper would like to be a Venator*....

Thanks, Heather!


*A Venator is what the vampire slayers are called in my Gardella books.

Edited to add: Heather's posted her review of the book, and is giving away a free copy...What a cool gal, huh? So hop on over and give her some hits.

Way cool!

http://colleengleason.blogspot.com/2006/11/way-cool.html

Retro Tuesday: '80s Female Musicians

How about a quiz about female recording artists from the '80s, I thought to myself when I woke up at 4:00 this morning.

Since I couldn't go back to sleep, I thought I'd give it a shot. So here goes....

1. What famous indie artist was once the lead singer for 'Til Tuesday?
(earworm of the day: "hush, hush...keep it down now, voices carry....")

2. Which famous '80s recording artist began her career as an opera singer?

3. Which female artist sang the theme song for PeeWee's Playhouse?

4. Who was the lead singer for Missing Persons?

5. Who played an unknown dancer on the TV spin-off of Fame before she made it big as a musician?

6. Joan Jett was signed to her first recording contract under the name Joan Jett and _____? Bonus question: How old was she?

7. In Toni Basil's video for "Mickey," what school was represented by her cheerleading uniform?

8. In 1984, Van Halen released an album called...1984. (Clever, huh?) What other band fronted by a female released an album of the same name?

9. Prince wrote a song that was made famous by an all-female band. Name the song and the band. (Bonus: what other female singer had a smash hit in 1990 which was also written by Prince?)

10. What was the name of Madonna's first band?

Answers posted later today!

Retro Tuesday: '80s Female Musicians

http://colleengleason.blogspot.com/2006/11/retro-tuesday-80s-female-musicians.html

Solo at the Movies?

(No, unfortunately, this post isn't going to be about Han Solo...although if you twist my arm, I could put up a pic of him just for fun...)

What I really wanted to write about is: do you go to the movies alone?

I never went to the movies alone until I was out of college. In fact, the first movie I ever went to see by myself was When Harry Met Sally...
It was right after the final break up with the guy I'd thought I was going to marry--we'd broken up, and then gotten back together, and when I finally realized it was really over; that we just weren't right for each other, I needed something fun to do.

I didn't think I wanted to see a romantic comedy--after all, I'd just broken up with my sort of fiance. But my dear friend Cheryl (waving, 'cause I know you're out there) told me I had to see it, and that it would give me hope and a few laughs.

So I went by myself, and I was so glad I did.

And that started something for me. I've found that I love to go to movies by myself. Usually, I prefer to go during the day, where 1) it's cheaper, 2) there's no one else there, and 3) I feel like I'm playing hookey.

Also, 4), because I don't have to share my popcorn and Twizzlers.

Plus, I don't have to wait for my Music Man to decide to go with me, and I can often get a jump on new movies by going the day they open, during the day.

I went and saw Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera the day it opened, all by myself, and absolutely gorged myself on popcorn, Twizzlers, and music...ah! the music.

I also saw The Devil Wears Prada the same way--in both cases because I couldn't wait to see it, and my Music Man wasn't interested in going. However, when the new Pride & Prejudice came out last year, with Keira Knightley, I waited to go with one of my good friends so we could discuss and compare it to the BBC version.

(The BBC version won out in my book, but I still loved the new version for different reasons.)

How about you? Do you go by yourself? Are there certain movies you see or prefer to see alone? Why?

Solo at the Movies?

http://colleengleason.blogspot.com/2006/11/solo-at-movies.html

I made the cover of PW!

Okay, I just have to take a moment to squeal in shock and delight...so bear with me.

Publishers Weekly is the bible of the publishing biz...and I and nine other debut romance authors are on the cover of next week's issue! (small pic, I know, but you can see me, second from the bottom, on the left)

I knew we were going to be in an article about upcoming romance authors, but to also be on the cover! Wow! I just don't think I'll be able to sit down all day, I'm soooo snoopy-dancing.

You can read the article itself here (and you'll notice that it's mentioned that Victoria is a vampire...I think they meant to put vampire slayer).


(Now if Michigan beats Ohio State today, there'll be no living with me!)

I made the cover of PW!

http://colleengleason.blogspot.com/2006/11/i-made-cover-of-pw.html

The winner is....

Devonna!

Congrats, D! Email me (author at colleengleason.com) with your addy and we'll get that copy of Thief in a Kilt right out to you!

The winner is....

http://colleengleason.blogspot.com/2006/11/winner-is.html

Good-bye, Bo

Legendary University of Michigan football coach Bo Schembechler died today.

He was still coaching when I attended Michigan, and he looks just like my grandfather, so I loved him even more for staying at Michigan for so long, even when other offers came in.

What a legend. We'll all be thinking of him tomorrow when Michigan meets up with OSU for the Big Game.

Watch over our guys, Bo!

Edited to add: This link to a wonderful, moving eulogy. If you don't know who Bo is, read it. Even if you do, read it.

Good-bye, Bo

http://colleengleason.blogspot.com/2006/11/good-bye-bo.html

Guest Blogger: Author Sandy Blair

Please welcome guest blogger Sandy Blair, author of the In a Kilt series about hot men from medieval Scotland.

(Can anyone say...Gerard Butler? I know, I know...he's not medieval. But he's got that accent!)

Sandy is also a member of the Wet Noodle Posse, and she's signing a copy of her latest book, A Thief in a Kilt, for a lucky person who comments on my blog today! So ask away.

Now, without further ado, let's chat with Sandy.

So, Sandy, why are all your books set in Scotland?
I’ve spent time there and found the country beautiful—in places ethereal, the people charming and funny, and the history intriguing.

It might also have something to do with the fact that I’m married to a 6’ 5” Scot.

When you start a new book, what's your process?

I usually have one character fleshed out in my mind. I know his goals and motivation, what he fears most and can see his black moment. In the case of A Thief In A Kilt it was my randy hero, Ian MacKay. With the writing comes his perfect match and for the rest...It’s a great adventure.

I know you travel a lot. Tell us about the most beautiful place you've ever seen...and about the one place you wouldn't want to go back to.
Tough question. I adored Skibo Castle in Dornock, Scotland and Adare Manor in Kilkenny, Ireland.

As for where I’d just as soon not return, that would have to be Cairo. The pyramids and Sphinx were awesome as was the Citadel and the old city, but the modern parts of the city I found far too congested. I did, however, enjoy exploring the rest of Egypt.

What's the best thing about being a full-time writer? What's the worst?
The best part would be receiving fan letters. Hearing that my stories have touched someone or brought them a moment’s joy. (And my work hours aren’t bad either.)

As for the worst, it would have to be waiting to see how a current book is being received.

So...what do men wear under their kilts?
Depends on who you ask. You can find some of my heroes’ answers by clicking on the “What’s Under the Kilt?” page on my site: sandyblair.net

(Hmmm...When I was in Scotland, I met some people who'd worked on Rob Roy with Liam Neeson. Apparently, when he was asked, "What do you wear under your kilt?" he replied, "Lipstick.")

And what's this about you falling off a cruise ship??
Augh! There I was minding my own business, on a week-long cruise on a luxury liner going down the Nile, when our tour guide—intent on taking my dh and I on a side trip to Elephantine Island--brings me to a ship’s open portal and tells me to walk down this 2ft x 24 ft plank leading to a small skiff that’s floating in the river below, beside the ship.

Now, there are no handrails, no guide rope. Nothing besides this wooden plank. But others had successfully accomplished the feat so I grab hold of my courage and my big picture hat and take a step onto the plank.

The little skiff chose that moment to shift in the current and whooooooooops, the plank falls two stories...with me on it.

Yup. Down I go.

The plank wasn’t attached to the ship. Just leaning against it. Scared the beweejes out of yours truly, my hubby and our guide, not to mention the little Nubian boatman I was fly towards. Ugh. I was bruised and sore for days, then the Pharaoh’s revenge hit. Overall, I don’t recommend it.

And, since you're on my blog, we have to know the answers to these questions:

Who's your favorite Disney villain?
The wicked lady in the 101 Dalmatians

What TV shows do you watch? Have given up on?
I’m addicted to Project Runway and Top Chef. I adored West Wing while it was on, have all the CDs and have yet to find a show to replace it.

And I gave up on talk shows a la Dr. Phil and Oprah ages ago.

And, finally, where do you stand on the hotness (or not) of Leo DiCaprio and Matt Damon?
Dare I admit “not hot?” (No problem, as long as you're talking about Leo...)

I’m into chiseled features, like those of Daniel Day Louise. (Imagining him in the Last of the Mohicans. Hmm,mmm,mmm. )

Anything else you'd like to add?

Thanks for asking.

As a thank you to readers and to celebrate the launch of A Thief In A Kilt, I’m gifting one reader with an expense paid trip to the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention in Houston this coming April.

The gift includes:

1. Round trip coach airfare from any major city in the contiguous US.
2. The registration fee ($435.00) and all meals, publisher parties, book signings, model parties and classes included in their registration fee.
3. A five night stay at the convention hotel
4. A special dinner with me...and a surprise author or two.

The application can be found on the Contest Prize page of my site: sandyblair.net

Those applicants who answer the 9 easy questions correctly will move on, will have their “Why I love romance” letters read. The winner will NOT be selected on perfect prose or punctuation but on “WHY they love Romances.”

I’m really looking forward to meeting the winner!

Wow! What a great prize. Thanks for joining us, Sandy!
Don't forget to make a comment or ask a question for a chance to win A Thief in a Kilt.

Guest Blogger: Author Sandy Blair

http://colleengleason.blogspot.com/2006/11/guest-blogger-author-sandy-blair.html

Thursday Thirteen #10

Thirteen Reasons I Loved
Trixie Belden
More Than I Loved
Nancy Drew

1. Jim Frayne
the hottest redhead around, and talk about angst in a hero!
If I were ever going to write a fanfic, it would be about Trixie and Jim finally hooking up.

2. Trixie was closer in age to me
she was 14, and Nancy was 18 in most of the books
It was easier relating to a girl my age, with my problems, as opposed to one who had access to a car and could come and go as she pleased

3. Trixie had two brothers to deal with
And neither of them were very nice sometimes. I remember Marty in particular, who was realistically obnoxious, as all brothers are. Trixie actually got in fights with her brothers.

4. Trixie had a mother--who actually said "no" sometimes
Nancy had a push-over father who let her do whatever she wanted. Whenever she wanted.

5. Nancy didn't have to work hard for anything
She could pack up and go whenever she wanted--to Turkey, to Kenya, skiing, to France, to the Moonstone Castle...Trixie had to beg and plead to go anywhere, and was always sent with stipulations and rules. Oh, and her brothers.

6. Nancy and the cops were best friends
Because Nancy's dad was Carson Drew, attorney at law, she had it easy with the cops. They not only believed her when she told them something, they sometimes asked her for help. Not so Trixie and gang. They were just young kids who sometimes got in the way. More realistic.

7. Trixie and Jim actually kissed
Nancy and Ned maybe held hands or he got a peck on the cheek, but there was no chemistry between them. At all. I gave up hoping after a few books.
As for Trixie and Jim...I still remember the scene in one of the books where she was standing in a field of burning maurijuana and so her clothes smelled like pot, and later Jim smelled it and was so angry and disappointed in her. That disappointment showed the depth of his feelings for her.
Mr. Nickerson was a plastic Ken doll next to Jim.

8. Trixie actually had real friends
Not paper cutouts propping her up. I mean, really, George and Bess: how bookendish can you get? George, the athletic tomboy with dark hair, and Bess the "pleasingly plump" fraidy-cat blond. Sheesh. Trixie's friends, Honey and Diana, actually had real problems and the three of them actually had arguments and fights. Especially when Diana started to date Brian.

9. Although Nancy did go to exotic places....
That was one thing I really liked about the Nancy Drew books. She visited some great places and I learned a lot about them. Trixie went spelunking and to a ranch, but even with Jim there, it couldn't compare to Turkey and Peru and Scotland and Hawaii...

10. Trixie wasn't perfect
Er...far from it. She had messy hair, normal clothes, and a temper and stubbornness that would try anyone's patience. Nancy...well, Nancy was perfect. I don't think she ever raised her voice, had a hair out of place (even when she was tied up and left in the stairwell in The Clue of the Tapping Heels), or argued with anyone.

11. Nancy never had to do household work or chores
But Trixie sure did. I remember reading more than once when she got into an argument with "Moms" about getting her chores done before she could go detecting.

12. But Nancy had much much better cover art.

13. But did I mention Jim Frayne???
I think he's the reason my first serious boyfriend was a redhead....

And ACK! to all you who haven't read Trixie! I did love Nancy--I gobbled up every one of her books, and now, as an adult, am collecting them...but Trixie was so much better. The first three aren't as good, because it's Jim getting through his angsty stuff...but one of the ones I remember being particularly good was the Bob White Cave one, the Cobbett's Island one, and the Mystery of the Emeralds.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Thursday Thirteen #10

http://colleengleason.blogspot.com/2006/11/thursday-thirteen-10.html