If You Ask Me - Betty White [0]
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Foreword
BODY AND MIND
HOLLYWOOD STORIES
LETTERS
STAGECRAFT
LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP
ANIMAL KINGDOM
STATE OF AFFAIRS
SINCE YOU ASKED . . .
Afterword
G. P. PUTNAM’S SONS
Publishers Since 1838
Published by the Penguin Group
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Penguin Books Ltd, Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England
Copyright © 2011 by Betty White
Photo research by Laura Wyss, Wyssphoto, Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or
distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do
not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation
of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.
Published simultaneously in Canada
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
White, Betty, date.
If you ask me: (and of course you won’t)/Betty White.
p. cm.
eISBN : 978-1-101-51446-7
1. White, Betty, date. 2. Television actors and actresses—United States—Biography. I. Title.
PN2287.W4577A3 2011
2011007358
791.4502’8082—dc22
[B]
While the author has made every effort to provide accurate telephone numbers and
Internet addresses at the time of publication, neither the publisher nor the author
assumes any responsibility for errors or for changes that occur after publication.
Further, the publisher does not have any control over and does not assume
any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.
Penguin is committed to publishing works of quality and integrity.
In that spirit, we are proud to offer this book to our readers;
however, the story, the experiences, and the words
are the author’s alone.
PHOTO CREDIT, PAGE ii: CHARLEY GALLAY/LONDON ENTERTAINMENT/NEWSCOM
http://us.penguingroup.com
Gratefully Dedicated
to
Loretta
Marysue
and
Bruce
Foreword
One time I remember hearing someone ask my friend George Burne, of he had read a certain book, current at the time.
George said, “I can’t read a book cuz I’m writing one.”
We all laughed—George could make anything sound funny—but he use absolutely right. Whatever else you may be involved in writing a book take precedence. There is that inexorable due date staring you in the face.
By my sixth book you’d think I would know better, get once again I was thrilled when they asked me to do another one.
I simply love the process. And not just because I can do it sitting on the couch with my shoes off and my dog by my side.
Writing is my favorite thing.
Betty white
2/14/11
BODY AND MIND
© BETTMANN/CORBIS
GROWING OLDER
Old age isn’t for sissies.”
“I can’t believe I’m getting old.”
“Why do people ever say ‘Happy Birthday’?”
And the list goes on—we’ve heard them all. However, if one is lucky enough to be blessed with good health, growing older shouldn’t be something to complain about. It’s not a surprise, we knew it was coming—make the most of it. So you may not be as fast on your feet, and the image in your mirror may be a little disappointing, but if you are still functioning and not in pain, gratitude should be the name of the game.
Actually—and don’t laugh—there may even be some upsides to aging. People treat you more gently. They