On Wednesday night I went to a big dinner raising funds for Women's Cancer Research.  I was surprised to see so many young girls and a few boys in the room.  I couldn't believe that they are interested in cancer research.  Then, the entertainment started and there was Taylor Swift.  There was such a rush of all the young people in the room as they raced to the stage to be near her.  Then, I realized why the young people were there, Taylor Swift is a young girl who sings songs that she has composed.  She was very impressive and of course, all the young people, especially the girls, loved her.

Thank you all for the wonderful birthday wishes.  As many of you know, I just celebrated my 93rd birthday.  As the oldest blogger, I think I should be able to express what I feel. 

There's too much emphasis on being a democrat, a republican, or an independent.  The most important thing is to be an American and endorse everything that's good for our country.  Our President received the Nobel Peace Prize.  Every American should be proud.  He earned this prize because, as soon as he became president, he went around the world and visited many countries.  He succeeded in changing the attitude of hatred that many countries had against America. 
For the first time, in the eyes of the world, our country lost all arrogance.
For the first time, our president encouraged discussions of any problem with all countries.
For the first time, the world began to like America.

Is that not worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize?

How does the world look at Americans who don't think our president is worthy of a Nobel Peace Prize?

I know I told this story last Thanksgiving but every year I am reminded of it.  I'd like to start a blog tradition by posting this again:

Every Thanksgiving Day I think of the special Thanksgiving Day in 1982.  I was in Pakistan, part of a 40 country trip that I took for the USIA (United States Information Agency).  President Zia had arranged for me to meet with refugees from Afghanistan on the border of the Khyber Pass.  We sat on the ground with elders of an Afghan tribe.  Gunfire could be heard across the border in Afghanistan.  We were all eating with our fingers out of a common bowl.  Through the interpreter, I told them, "In my country, today is Thanksgiving Day, one day every year that we set aside to give thanks for all that we have in life."

The leader of the elders, a man with a long white beard, nodded his head.  Through the interpreter he said, "In my country, we give thanks every day."

That humbled me.  But I learned that every Thanksgiving Day should remind us to find something to be thankful for each day of the year.  Of course, in these hard times it is difficult but we must try.  We must try.

Lauren Bacall got an Honorary Oscar last week.  I talked about her.  Bacall and I have been friends for almost 70 years.  This is part of what I said to her when she received her Oscar:

"Years ago, we were both students at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.  It was winter, Betty looked at the worn-out, thin coat I was wearing, I was very poor.  She talked her Uncle out of an overcoat and I wore it for two years.  And how did I repay her?  One warm spring evening on a rooftop in Greenwich Village I tried to seduce her, without success.  But we have remained friends for almost 70 years - Lauren Bacall, quite a gal.  She will teach her Oscar how to whistle."