Katherine Ayres of Shadyside has been a lifelong lover of books, and her life's work centers on that passion. She divides her time between writing children's books -- with works including "Up, Down and Around," "Family Tree" and "Macaroni Boy" -- and teaching at Chatham University. At the school, Ayres teaches writing and coordinates the school's Master of Arts program in children's and adolescent writing. Ayres took time out of her schedule to take the Trib's Personality Test.
The star who would play me in the movie version of my life and why:
Sally Field. She plays these wholesome roles most of the time, and unfortunately, when you're a short person, you get stuck with wholesome and cute.
Childhood hero and why:
I loved cowboy shows, so I really wanted to be Roy Rogers. Part of it was the horse. I liked Trigger a lot.
In five years, I'd like to:
Have five more books out (at least) and have traveled to at least five new places in the world.
My favorite thing about Pittsburgh:
The rivers. I grew up near the ocean, so water of any sort is a magnet for me.
After a long day, I like to relax with a (pick one):
A. Martini
B. Cold beer
C. Cabernet
D. Herbal tea
E. Hot chocolate
F. Red Bull
I'm a white wine person, so a Chardonnay or a Pino Gris would be lovely. Preferably by the fire with a good book in hand ...
My quirkiest inherited trait:
Once I have heard a song a couple of times, it's permanently stuck in my brain.
My best bar sport:
A. Pool
B. Darts
C. Air hockey
D. Beer pong
E. Other
People-watching. Especially after they've emptied the pitcher. It makes good material for a writer.
My favorite sandwich, plus fixings:
A tuna melt or a well-made Reuben or a BLT on toast with no lettuce and no mayo -- mustard only
One word my mother would use to describe me:
Mischievous
The oldest thing in my refrigerator:
An ancient box of baking soda
When I was 10, I wanted to be:
10. I had no intention of growing up. Adults were boring. They had to work a lot and didn't get to play outside nearly enough.
Musical instrument I wish I could play:
Piano. I took lessons as a child, but I am left-handed, which can be a problem.
My favorite comfort food:
Campbell's Tomato Soup made with water, plus saltines
Exercise I hate most:
Anything that requires a machine or a class. I like to walk and kayak and play outdoors.
Vegetable I won't eat:
Brussels sprouts
I'm deathly afraid of:
It's not in the deathly-afraid-of department, but I really, really hate snakes.
The first band I saw in concert (when and where):
The Association in Cleveland, while in college -- late 1960s
Favorite Pittsburgh-area landmark:
I love PPG Place -- a shining castle.
Saturday mornings, you'll find me:
Lazing about. I'm not a morning person, so when I have a day off, I start slowly.
In high school, I was:
Annoying and full of myself
The most famous person I ever became friends with:
Writer and poet Alice Walker
The movie that always makes me cry:
"It's a Wonderful Life." Because it is a wonderful life. A gift we often take for granted.
My most treasured fashion accessory:
My red cowboy boots
Pick one you love or hate:
A. Stripes
B. Polka dots
C. Plaid
D. Paisley
C. Plaid. I wore way too much of it as a teenager, and who wants to revisit those days?
What you'll always find in my glove compartment:
Sunglasses, maps, expired insurance cards, thick car manuals, still in the plastic wrap
My most embarrassing junk food:
Three Musketeers bars. They're the best. The embarrassing part is that when they first came out, the idea was to share them with two friends. I never could share one -- I had to eat it all.
If I weren't a writer, I'd be:
A teacher -- which I also am and have been for much of my life. I love sharing ideas and skills with the next generation.
It's not pizza without:
Tomato sauce -- those white pizzas are boring
My favorite Pittsburgh pizza:
Village Pizza in Shadyside. Close to home and crisp, crisp crust.
My favorite Web site:
It's a tie between Epicurious, Ravelry and Amazon. I love food, knitting and books.
My first job:
Summer-camp counselor
My worst job:
Xerox operator
Pick one:
A. Miracle Whip
B. Hellmann's mayonnaise
A. There is only one choice: Miracle Whip. Sweet and tangy at the same time.
The song that always gets me out on the dance floor and why:
"Shout" -- you gotta dance to that tune.
Life would be better without:
Tobacco. Ugh. Cough. Choke.
I never travel without:
A good book. Preferably more than one. Makes the inevitable delays endurable.
People would be surprised to know that I:
Lied in front of millions of people. At 19, I was a liar/imposter on the TV show "To Tell the Truth." I pretended to be a racecar driver, and I got a couple of votes.
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