Every girl should have a literary heroine to make a difference in her life

Thank You, Nancy Drew and Judy Blume by Carole Baron

But get this. When I was reading the Nancy Drew books, you couldn't get them in the libraries at all. Not in Detroit, Michigan. My beloved Nancy Drew books were given to me by my parents, my relatives, my parents' friends. Reading in the dark nights under the covers with a flashlight, I devoured these "unsuitable" books, having given up on reading books for my recommended level as too boring. I remember being fascinated by Nancy and her independent ways; her boyfriend, Ned Nickerson; her father, Carson Drew, a criminal lawyer, just like my father and that made this perfect for me. I didn't know anyone like Nancy Drew but I wanted to be Nancy Drew. . Other heroines I was supposed to read about were sweet and adorable, and liked to cook and help their mother, had dreams of faraway places. Nancy was always in the middle of the action and always got her way. She was curious, smart, feisty and independent, but always a good girl. She was all girl who lived in a Boy's World. And she solved crimes (and could fix her own car).

:) Nancy Drew was great. Trixie Belden I loved as well, but Nancy did it all and was a lady, not a tomboy. I remember how disappointed I was in the 70s TV show that Nancy was suddenly not titian-haired. :) It's like they thought girls couldn't tell the difference. Really?

This week California has been the place for 'no good deed goes unpunished'

First there was the librarian who turned in the patron looking at kiddie porn. Now, this:

Student disciplined after stopping out-of-control school bus

A high school student on a bus carrying 40 elementary students managed to jump up and apply the brakes when the driver fell out of her seat and hit her head, possibly saving lives.

But she wasn't supposed to be on the bus. She'd fallen ill on the way to school and asked the bus driver for a ride rather than calling in. So, she's got a Saturday detention as a result.

I'm not saying she shouldn't get the detention--she should, since she broke the rules. But maybe a little appreciation in addition shouldn't be out of the question, you know?

This child has more spirit than most people have their entire lifetimes

Child Shot Protecting Mom Hailed a Hero

Okay, it should be 'heroine', but the sentiment is true. A former boyfriend of her mother's forced his way into the back seat of the car where she was sitting. When he went to fire at her mother, who was in the front passenger seat, Alexis Goggins, who is only 7 years old and has epilepsy and a learning disability after suffering a stroke at age one, threw herself in front of the bullets, screaming for him not to hurt her mommy.

Her mother was shot twice including once in the chest that nearly hit an artery, but survived and has been released. Two weeks later, though, Alexis is still in the hospital. Six slugs hit her, including one in her right eye that will leave her blind on that side. Others hit her face and jaw. She's had three surgeries so far according to an article a friend saw (YKWIA pointed this out to me.)

Fortunately, the driver of the car had convinced the gunman she needed gas and had gotten a gas station attendant to call 911 at the time of the shooting. Police arrived almost immediately, and the man was arrested at the scene. He was already an ex-con on parole. Let's hope this time he's in for a very, very long time.

My best wishes to Alexis and her family. They might want to check out the Shriners Hospital in Minneapolis-St Paul (they are in Michigan). It sounds like she could benefit from care there. She certainly sounds like a fighter who hasn't had it very easy in life. But one thing's for certain, she gets the real meaning of love, something this man and others like him will never understand.

Last one, and then I sleep

if I can dial back the energy burst I'm having...

You Are Buffy the Vampire Slayer

"We saved the world. I say we have to party."

What Superheroine Are You?