I had known Cole Porter in Hollywood and New York, spent many a warm hour at his home, and met the talented and original people who were drawn to him.

My parents argued more than I remembered, about money and all the little things that disguise the truth that you are still arguing about money.

I had no romantic interest in Gable. I considered him an older man.

I was plunged into what was known as the debutante social whirl. This was one of the ways fathers justified their own hard work and sacrifices.

we Irish don't really need thousands of people surging behind a big brass band to have a parade. One guitar player and a few people whistling will do the job.

Wealth, beauty, and fame are transient. When those are gone, little is left except the need to be useful.

I remember the 1940s as a time when we were united in a way known only to that generation. We belonged to a common cause-the war.