I think my Mama is the best mother in the whole world. She is very pretty with lots of black hair with a white streak in front and likes to wear pretty clothes. Once I split mamas best powder all over the floor. I didn't mean to though. But even after I clean it up Mama always seems to know when I get into mischif. Sometimes she is strict with me but in the end I always find out she is right and I love her very much.
Next to my mummy I love Auntie Marissa better than anybody. She is very pretty with dark hair like mine but it used to be red. She is a beautiful dancer but now she doiesn't dance anymore. She's an actress. I hope someday we can act together. Mama, Auntie and I used to be always together then Uncle Johnny came along and now they live in New York because they are married. Mama and I missed her so much. Now we have Uncle Marty. He's Mother's brother so there is still three of us outside of Maggie and Lad.
I have two girl friends one is called Nancy and the other one is Diane. I play with Diane at the studio and when I come home then I play with Nancy. Nancy lives next door to me- she has very rosy cheeks and pretty long hair about as long as mine. She is very nice and always smiling and I like her very much but she is going to boarding school for the summer. And I will miss her. We play lots of games together and we play jacks and jump rope and we roller skate a lot. On hot days we skate down to the ice cream store and buy ice cream and I forgot to say that Nancy has brownish yellow hair.
Diane my other girl friend has long hair it is dark brown and wavy but she always wears it in braids. Diane has especially nice manners but she is always eating ice cream and so am I. She is eleven years old and Nancy is ten. Diane nits nicely I have been trying to nit like Diane for a long time. I really like Diane very much.
Lad is a collie dog who is all golden brown with white feet and neck and white tail too and is bigger than me even though a puppy of one year. She is very frisky and always jumps up and down and gets all excited when she sees me. I am teaching her not to jump on people because sometimes she gets them all dirty and that not nice. Mr. Weatherwax the man who owns Lassie game her to me- she is one of Lassie's pups. The only thing is she doesn't like ot take baths. Maybe she will the same as me when she grows older.
Maggie is a cocker spaniel of four years. She is brown and white with sad eyes- they are brown too. She is Mama's favorite and I guess she is pretty smart but she's not very frisky. Maybe its because she's older.
I like my house even though it is little but it is big enough for Mother and me and Uncle Marty he is mother's brother. It is white and brown and it has a big back yard where I play every day and that is where Lad's dog house is. Maggie sleeps in the kitchen. And there is a big brown fence in front and a beautiful tree that has flowers on it in the springtime. We have a nut tree too. It has walnuts on it and we have a lemon tree but it is so little that the lemons are almost as big as the tree. The last thing we have is some rose bushes that sometimes have roses on them. We have a wonderful barbecue but we never use it because Mama likes to cook inside better. I think my little house is the best house in the world.
My Diary
January 15, 1947
This is my birthday and I am ten years old today. Mama, Auntie and Maggie and I went to the bakery in Beverly Hills to get my birthday cake. The baker said it was too big to put in a box so he put in on a big platter and Mama sat in the back seat and held it on her lap while Maggie and I sat in the front with Auntie. Then Mama said- all I need now is for Maggie to jump back here. Well when Maggie heard her name that's exactly what she did, she jumped right in the middle of the cake and splashed whipped cream all over Mama. Mama looked so funny I wanted to laugh but I didn't care so I called Maggie to come back and that was the worst thing I could have done because this time she got whipped cream all over Auntie and me and the front seat. We finally stopped the car and everybody laughed except laughed except Maggie. She was so sad and I was too when I saw the big hole in the middle of the cake. Mama fixt it though so no one knew the difference. She put fancy candles around the top of the hole so everybody thought it was a super duper cake. Mama gave me my best present and this is what iit is, my new diary.

January 17: Butch Jenkins gave me two white mice for my birthday. Mrs. Jenkins called me up to thank us for the golf clubs I gave him but she said he already broke their car door window. Mrs. Hunter came over to take care of me tonight- she is scared to death of mice. She said I hear you got some mice for your birthday. Are you sure they are in their cage? I am afraid of mice and if they aren't I won't take care of you anymore. Then I told a fib because I knew she would have a fit if she found out I let them out to play with. I decided I better find them quick before she before she saw but I couldn't find them. But after dinner when she was reading the paper the mice appeared. And she screamed and went and told Mama she was going to leave this instant. But she didn't leave after all- my mice have to instead. Mama says we will give them to Nancy and if her mother doesn't want her to have them then we will just have to have a party and raffle them off. I hope Nancy's mother says no.

January 18: Mama is very angry with me. I got my teepee today from Wyoming. And the letter was from the chief of the Shonshonee tribe that made me an Indian princess. And they sent me a hat with feathers on it and a bow and arrow set. Mama said I could have Nancy over and we played Indian girl and I was a fierce warrior and I scalped all my dolls. Thats where the trouble started- when Mama saw all my dolls hair all over the floor, I got a spanking and Nancy had to go home. I am disappointed because we were going to sleep in the teepee all night. Nwxt time I play Indian I will remember not to play massacre and scalp all my poor dolls heads off.

January 19: We went to Jose Iturbi's party and I saw his little granddaughters Antonia and Theresa again. We had so much fun- Mr. Iturbi played hide-and-seek with us and they had the best ice cream- peppermint. After we ate we played make believe and put pieces of paper in a hat. Then each little girl would pick out a piece and written on it- it said what she was supposed to do. When my turn came I was so embarrased- mine said play the piano and all I could play was Silent Night with one finger. But Mr. Iturbi helped me out and we played chop sticks together. Then Antonia and Theresa played for us- and I never heard anything like it- it was wonderful. They said their grandfather taught them how to play and that he is the best grandfather in the whole world. I think he is very nice too.

January 20: We saw Jimmy Craig and he invited us to have lunch with him. And while we were eating he said shy don't you come see my turkeys. I have 3000 turkeys but you will have to wear your blue jeans if you come because its a farm. And we were so glad to see him I think he is so handsome but we haven't worked in a picture together in so long. So Mama said yes. But on the way home Mama told me about his little boy named Jimmy. He gets into trouble sometimes so we better park our car a little bit away from their house or else he might paint it red and white like he did Clarence Brown's. If I was old enough to have boy friends I think Jimmy Craig would be first.

January 21: Mommy and I just came home from the studio. I didn't have to work today. I only had to take my ballet lesson with David Lichine. He started teaching me the butterfly dance that I am going to do with Cyd Charisse where I'm the baby butterfly and she is the mama butterfly. I'm very happy I'm going to dance with Miss Charisse because she is so pretty and nice and not only that she is the best dancer at our studio. But I am going to practise real hard so I'll be good enough to dance with her even after this. Mama is going to help me with the dances at home because Mama use to be a dancer too.

January 22: Mama said if I want to be a lady when I grow up I better start right now so she thought up a game and this is what it is. We have a chart on the bathroom wall like this.

Morning mon tue wed thu fri sat sun
1. Brush teeth x x x x x x x gold
2. Wash hands and face x x x x x x x
3. Brush hair 50 times x x x x x x x
4. Clean nails x o x x x x x
5. Wash behind ears x x o x x o x
6. Leave bathroom clean x o x x x x o blue

Before Lunch and Dinner
7. Wash hands and face and clean
nails- leave bathroom clean x x x x x x x
8. Comb hair x x x o x x x

Before bed
9. Hang clothes up- straighten room o x x x x x x
10.Put toys away x x x x x x x
11.Bath with plenty of soap and
scrubbing x x x x x x x
12 |Brush hair 50 times x x o x x x x
13 Brush teeth x x x x x x x
14 Leave bathroom clean x x x x x x x
15.Wash hair once a week x

I get a blue star each day and a gold star for a perfect week. If I have twelve gold stars at the end of Sunday I get a prise which is 25 cents- that's the part I like. But the part I don't like is if I miss I have to forfit something. Its lots of fun anyway and now I don't mind being clean anymore.

January 23: I am so sad. Poor Francesca flew out the window when mamas lady friend opened it. Now she won't sit on my shoulder and eat an apple any more. We hunted and hunted for her but nowhere could we find her. I am so worried now I hope a cat doesn't find her and swallow her.

January 25: I got a quackless duck today. The man said I could keep it at the studio to play with and he really is quackless at least thats what the man said. Mama and I decided to call him Pancho. Then I went to school and took my ballet lesson and went home. Nancy played croquet with me and Auntie too. Auntie is the best but I think she let us win. Then we studied for the important scene I am going to do Monday. I have to cry so I hope I do it good.

January 27: We got up early and went to the studio. Mama told Bessie to get some Cheerios for breakfast for the boxtops so I can get my radar signal ring that glows in the dark. They weren't ready for the scene- the director wanted to bring some people to see it first. I got nervous because he said it was so important. While we were waiting we played with Pancho in the dressing room. He is very smart. Then Mama and I studied some more and it was time to do the scene. Right in the middle of it Pancho came in quacking and spoilt everything. I thought he was quackless but I guess he isn't anymore. The director was mad and Mama too. Mama's face was so red she finely caught Pancho and tried to stop him form quacking. I thought he was going to choke but he didn't. But I didn't do the scene very well. We have to do it over again tomorrow. I am sad now- I have to give Pancho back to the man.

January 18: We had to go over to Mr. Bull's gallery to have some pictures taken and when we got there Greer Garson was in there first having her picture taken too. I think she is so nice- I asked Mama if I could peek but Miss Garson must of heard me because she said come right in Margaret. She was wearing a fluffy white dress and her red hair looked so pretty under the lights and her white skin was even whiter. I think she is the prettiest actress at our studio. When she smiles her eyes crinkle and twinkle. I hoope I can grow up and maybe be a lovely lady like Greer Garson

January 29: Today we were early for school because my school teacher got a surprise. Her husband calls her Dolly but I have to call her Mrs. Franz. She stops at my house and takes me to school every morning. She used to have an old car which chugged along but today she got a second hand new one. I am glad she has the new car because now I can sleep longer. Before we never knew how long it would take. My teacher will not stand for being late for school. Only two times I was late and then she was very prissy. She is really very pretty with yellow carrot hair and pink and white skin only she doesn't look pretty when she's prissy. I try to be a good pupil but I am just not a good speller. I wish Mrs. Franz would forget spelling but I guess school is school.

February 4: Everybody on the set is knitting but me because I don't know how. Diane Toian my standin promised to teach me though she is the champion knitter. Tomorrow is Saturday and we don't have ot work so Mama and I are going shopping for knitting needles and yarn. I think I will knit a sweater first. Diane made two already and Connie one. Yesterday Danny Thomas came over and sat down with all we little girls and took out his knitting needles and started to knit too on a funny big old sock with a hole in it. Imagine that a man knitting. He is a very funny man and is always making us laugh.

February 9: Mama finely took me to the amusement pier today. Its the best place- we rode on the boat slide three times but we didn't go on the loop it de loop- we were afraid. I never saw so many games in my life. Everything cost ten cents and sometimes you win a prize. I tried to throw some hoops around a square stick but that was hard. I finely won a doll by popping balloons with some darts. And Uncle Marty won a whole ham. He knocked the milk bottles down six times with the balls. he almost made a mistake and told the man he was a baseball player once. I had two great big spun sugar sticks and a hot dog and Mama says we can come back again if Uncle Marty promises to win another ham the next time.

February 10. A man came out to the set today with four hats. One they are going to use in the picture but there was another one that was the most beautiful hat I ever saw. I knew it would look just perfect on Mama. It was her favorite color too- American Beauty with American Beauty and chartroose velvit flowers on it and a big bow in the back. I asked the man how muc it was and he said sixty dollars. Imagine that- sixty whole dollars for a hat. He said the reason was- it was a Lili Dashay. I told him I wanted to buy if for Mama but I only had 14 dollars and 65 cents in my bank. And he decided to do it so he gave the hat and he's coming back tomorrow for his money. I still think even 14 dollars and 65 cents is a lot of money for a hat. Mama was so happy when she saw it she almost cried. She tried it on on and she looks really beautiful in it. She said its the most beautiful hat she ever saw so now I don't care if I spent my money. I didn't have enough to buy a pony anyway and where would I keep it if I did have one?

February 11: I wish I had hair like Sally's- it's blond and comes down way below her waste. Mama told me if I wash my hair once a week and brush it every night and not comb it oo much because that makes it break when its snarled- then I will have beautiful hair when I grow up. And now I know how to make it curly. Afte r I wash it she said to rinse it out real good and then put curlers on the ends. The hairdresser at the studio gave me some shampoo and I tried it out tonite- it has the best smell.

February 12: Today was Abraham Lincoln's birthday and Miss Franz my schoolteacher took me over to the school house where everyhone had to get up and make a speech about President Lincoln. Elizabeth Taylor told about when Lincoln was a young man before he became President and Butch Jenkins told about how he was shot and Dean Stockwell told about when he was a lawyer and I did the Gettysburg Address. Then I told about how Mama and I visited Lincoln's Monument when we were in Washington D.C. and how the Gettysburg Address is written on the wall inside the monument so everybody can read it.

February 13: Lionel Barrymore visited our set today. He fell asleep in his wheelchair and snored and it almost ruint a scene. We had lunch with him at the commissary and he told me a story. I like him very much. Then I went ot school and met the new teacher. She was nice sort of- I hope she isn't strict. I finished two napkins for Mama's present. All I have to finish now is the table cloth. Diane showed me some new ways to play jacks there called flying dutchman and frankenstein. She beat me twice. She is going to ask her mother if she can stay at my house all night. I hope she can. Then home- I fed the dogs. Maggies' nose was sore again. I wonder what's wrong.

February 14: Today is Valentine's Day- I got so many Valentines. One was from Claude and another one was from Butch. Then Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Powell sent me Valentines too. I ddin't buy a single one this year. I made them all in school. I gave my prettiest one to Mama- and she loved it. I still can't make up my mind whether its better to send Valentines or to receive them.

February 15: We went to the Graumans Chinese theater to put my hands and feet and my name in the cement there. Mr. Grauman let me pick out where I would like to sign so I decided to be between Shirley Temple and Jimmy Durante. I thought I could do it with my shoes on but instead I had to go barefooted. There wer lots of people there and I got embarrased because they were watching and I got cement all over. Then I put my hand prints in the cement and signed my name underneath. Mr. Grauman said that they will stay there for ever and ever and anybody who has his name there can go to the movies free. That's nice. Jimmy Durante had his face in the cement- I wonder if he really had to put it in the wet cement. They they took some pictures and Mama and I came home. We had sandwiches and I played with Nancy for awhile and then I got sleepy and went to bed.

February 17: The Cheerios came today so I sent in the boxtops for the prize. Mama thought I wanted to eat them but instead I wanted to cut off the tops because the man on the radio sadio said if you cut off the top of the box and put it in an envelope with ten cents and send it to New York New York they would send you a wether ring. It is a magic ring that turns white on a clear day and blue on a clowdie day and pink on a medium kind of day. Nancy wanted one too so I decieded to cut off the bottoms and sent it in with another ten cents. I hope the man doesn't mind but Mama said he would. I don't see why.

February 18: Mama is getting worried about Maggie because her nose is alwase sore and we don't know what is wrong. So today we decided to be detectives and watch her in the backyard and see what would happen. And we were so surprise to see what it was a gofer hole. Maggie tried to snap at the gofer but the gofer got Maggie first. So we finely found out the mistry of Maggies nose.

February 20: Mama had to take Maggie to the vetinery agaain because the gofer bit her and got her nose all sore again. So I decided to play Esther Williams as a Spanish lady in Fiesta. I got Aunties castinets and fan and high heel shoes and went to look at myself in the bedroom. And I decided I looked just right except I didn't have any liipstick. So I borrowed some of Mamas and went in to show Bessie. And she said I looked exactly like Esther Williams in the picture. After a while I got tired and put my own clothes on to go out and play and just as I was going out Mama came in with a lady friend. She scolded me becuase I forgot to take off the lipstick from when I was playing Spanish Lady. I know it isn't very nice for little girls to wear lipstick but this time it really was a mistake. I guess I better remember to take it off next time though.

February 22: I went tot the studio and did retakes on "Ballerina." We did the crying scene with Danny Thomas. Mama said it was very good but I did it better at home when we were practising. Then we went home to get ready for Patty Lou Costello's Washington Birthday Party. She lives in the best house. It has a swimming pool a tennis court and a miniature theater even. We atre salad and hot dogs and played games. And I spilt ice cream all over the front of my brand new white organdie party dress. We washed it off but it still didn't look the same. Then Patty Lou's daddy did a scene from his last picture. He was very funny I think he's one of my favorite comedians. When I got home we found out Lad was a bad dog- he chewed the bathroom rug all to pieces. It wasn't his fault though- Bessie forgot to put him out. I guess I will have to teach him not to do that anymore. I missed Red Ryder but I'm sleepy anyway. Now I lay me down to sleep.

February 24: We had lots of fun at the studio today. She shot the scene with the devil. He really looked like the devil too. Mary Eleanor and Connie were afraid of him and I pretended dI was too so when I had to act like I was afraid of him I really was. I think "Unfinished Dance" is my favorite part so far because i am learning to ballet dance and I get to dance with all the other children too. I think I will be a ballerina when I grow up and wear pretty costumes and dance on my toes and wear ballet slippers all the time.

February 25: Today Mama and I had lunch with Lionel Barrymore in his dressing room. I use to be afraid of him when I first met him but not anymore- not after I got to know him. Now we are very good friends and he tells me the best stories. I wore my navy blue taffita dress with the white organdee pinafor and I wore the wristwatch he gave me for Christmas and the pin that belonged to his Grandmother Drew with the pearls and sapphires on it. Whhen we walked in he had lunch all ready for us and next ot him was sitting the most beautiful rag doll I ever saw. She had lots of black hair made of yarn and a painted face and a red dress on. All through lunch I kept peeking at her and wishing I had ne just like her. We had to leave right after lunch because I was in the first scene and I had to change back to my ballet costume. Then just as we were going out the door Mr. Barrymore siad aren't you going to take your doll with you Margaret. It was for me all the time and I didn't know it. I think I will call her Lucy Barrymore and now she will be my favorite doll.

February 26: I just started reading the best book- the name of it is "Violet." I think I will write about it in my diary so I will remember it always. Once there was a little dog named Jiggs. He was called Tommy too. Jiggs was a very gentle and obedient dog. The white and black coat blended together beautifully. Jiggs was a tiny puppy when he first came to live with Violet. Violet is a problem child and the dog has come to be disgusted with her and he went away. One day, violet was walking home from school. This is what Violet looked like. She was a tall, thin girl around twelve. She had medium sized pigtails and she wore oversized gargles. When she reached the front door of the small neat looking apartment house in New York City New York she went in. On the third floor was a neatly kept apartment where on the couch was a tall, goodlooking young man and a nice looking girl who had short brown hair and quite a pretty face. The man was tall and had black hair but a bad temper for he had four wives. The girl with the short hair is named Lilly and she is the first wife of Pete Granden. He really liked her before but didn't know it, so after trying out the other four wives he went back to Lilly. Violet rushed into the next room Pete and Lily were left speechless. They were flaba gasted. Then Violet was on the train reading Shakespeare and Spellbound when the train stopped and she got off. She was going to stay with her grandmother and she wore a plaid skirt and a white blouse. When she got on the platform people were rushing everywher. Witch way was she to go. She was lost. Violet decided to go into a store and buy a compass- and that is what she did. She found her grandmothers house. The next chapter is Violet gets into trouble on her trip home. the end- to be continued.

March 2: I saw Claude Jarman at Clarence Brown's ranch today. I think him best of all. He's a good swimmer too. We had races and he won all of them. Then we had hamburgers for lunch and Mr. Brown made them on his barbeque. Mr. Brown told us how he discovered Claude and decided to make him the star of the "Yearling." He had looked and looked and couldn't find anybody until he decided one day to visit all the grammer schools in Tennessee. And when he saw Claude he told his teacher that he would like to put him in his picture. The teacher wouldn't believe it so she called Claude's mother and she was afrade. She said don't you bring Mr. Brown or whoever he is home until you're father comes home so poor Mr. Brown had to wait outside the house until Mr. Jarman came home. I'm gland they decided Claude could be in the movies. Then we saw the deer that was in the picture. He's all grown up with long horns. They had to use four or five of them because they grow so fast. After that we played with Gregory Peck and his dog- he's a white police dog. Mr. Brown went canoeing on his lake and he fell in with all his clothes on. Mama said I shouldn't have laughed. Then we went home- I hope I see Claude again soon. He asked me to call him Jody- that's his name in the picture.

March 4: When we got home from the studio Maggie was foaming at the mouth, and running all over the back yard. We thought for sure she went crazy and lost her mind. Mama got so exited- she said we better call the doctor and in the meantime don't go near Maggie or else you'll get bit and catch rabies. But after we got inside Bessie said never you mind Mrs. O'Brien- she ain't crazy. Maggie got into her washing pan with the soap suds in it. But Mama got mad anyway because her best silk stockings were there too and Maggie bit holes in them. I'm glad Maggie isn't a mad dog though. Mama wasn't mad very long because she said Maggie gets to sleep under the kitchen stove tonite. I don't think she likes soap.

March 6: Something terrible happened today. When we came home from the studio I couldn't find Lucy. I looked and looked but nowhere could I find her. Then I went out in the yard to play with Lad and there was Lucy lying on the floor in Lad's dog house and her mouth had a hole in it. I cried and cried but Mama soed Lucy up so she didn't look so bad. But she had more bad luck her hair fell off too so now we have to go buy some more black yarn so we cansoe more hair on her. From now on I will keep her away from Lad. Poor Lucy tattered and torn she is still my favorite doll and she will alwase sit on my best chair in my bedroom and that is the red and white candy striped one.

March 8: We went to the party at the studio today and I had to keep my hands under the table because my fingernails were so dirty from drawing. I washed and washed them but nothing happened. And Mama didn't like it. On the way home she bought me a manicure set for little girls. Its the best set- it is just like Mamas grownup set except it doesn;t have red polish in it. Mama says that isn't nice for little girls. It has a file to make your nails round and an emery board to make the edges smooth and an orange stick for cleaning underneath my nails. Then it has some shining powder and a buffer to shine them with. When we got home Mama taught me how to do my nails so now I guess I won't have to worry about them at parties anymore.

March 15: Today I got a monkey and I begged Mama to let me keep it. And while Mama was deciding whether I could keep it or not. I went out to play. In the meantime the monkey got into Mamas powder and threw it on the floor. And that's not all, Mamas beautiful new silk covers were all torn and her bear rug had ink all over it. When I saw Mama's room my heart sank to the tip of my toes. I quickly got the monkey and put him in the back yard. Then I hurried backto Mamas room to see if I could fix it up any. I worked for an hour trying to clean up the mess of my mischivis monkey. But all my work was in vane. Right then and there Mama came in the room and said she had made up her mind and after she saw the room I knew that that was that. So I sadly took the mischivis monkey back to the man who gave it to me and said thank you but I'm sorry I can't keep it. And maybe its all for the best- I still have Lad and Maggie and maybe now they won't have to be jelous.

March 17: This is St. Patrick's Day. Mama wore her green suit and I wore my green velvit dress and Uncle Marty wore a green carnation in his buttonhole. Then we went to see the parade. I never saw so many people wearing green in my whole life. It was very nice but after a while our feet hurt so we had to go home. I played till it was time to go to Pat O'Brien's dress up party. It was a nice party with two comedy movies and we played games amd sang songs. My favorite Irish song is "Rose of Kilarny." Mama and I won a prise for the best costume. We were dressed as two irish colleen twins. The prise was a shilayli. We hung it over the fireplace and its suppose to bring us lots of good luck. I made a wish on it. And now I've got to go to bed. It was a happy day.

March 18: Mama had some ladies over for tea and I got into trouble. Nancy couldn't come over to play because it rained and she has a cold. So I decided to play dress up. I put on Mamas high heel shoes and put my hair up in a pompador and then I put on one of Mamas long dresses so I would look like a lady of the olden days. All I needed was a hat and Mamas were too nigh so I tried on the visiting ladies hats that were on the bed. I saw one that was just right- it was the best hat I ever saw and I wish Mama had one just like it. It was big and floppy with black velvit top and fussy veils and a stuft bird sitting on top. Then th emost awful thing happened- I took it off and the bird fell on the floor. And just then the ladies were leaving so I hid under the bed- I was so scared. But they thought my poor dog Maggie did it. I wonder if I should tell.

March 19: I told and I'm glad I did it. Mama said you better call the lady and apologise. So I didand she said never you mind- I'll glue it right back on. So now my conscience is clear.

March 22: I went skating part of the day and then I went swimming three times. And I am learning to dive. Then I came home and I didn't have anything to do so I decided to write a novel . I think I will call it Jane a Beautiful Young Girl of Long Ago and her Collie Dog Wolf. Jane is a poor orphan girl of ten and she has no parents only a mean old lady called Mrs. Higgins who makes her work very hard and scrub floors and everything. Then one day jane grows up and she is very happy because she is twenty one years old and very beautiful and she fienly has a friend called Wolf a collie dog. Wolf follows Jane wherever she goes and once he even saves her from some bandits. At 28 Jane is sad becuase she realizes she is growing old. So she decides she will get married or something. When I finish my novel about Jane I think I will write another one that will be Champ A wild dog of the North. Now I have to go to bed. Goodnight.

March 26: I decided to write another story and this is what I wrote: Wolf was a mongrel at least that is what Mr. and Mrs. Hunter thought when he was a puppy. Bobby a crippled boy of eight was sitting on the porch of their farm house when he heard a faint noise from somewhere. And it seemed to be from under the house so Bobby hobbled down on his crutches to see what it was. And there on the ground was a little collie pup. Bobby took it in the house and when they saw it his mama and daddy let him keep it because they knew how much he wanted a playmate. Then Bobby and Wolf were happy. Wolf grew into a beautiful collie. And his father taught Wolf how to heard sheep. Everything went fine for a while. Then some sheep began to disappear. So everybody thought it was Wolf except Bobby. One night Bobby stayed up all night and played detective and what do you suppose happened. It wasn't Wolf at all- it was a bad hungry wof instead. So they shot him and Bobby and Wolf were happy ever after.

March 28: We went into the comisary for lunch and there in the comisary was Edgar Bergan with Charlie Micarthie. so we had our lunch together, Charlie was wearing his new suit- its plaid with a little plaid hat, and Mr. Bergan gave it to him for his birthday he siad. I know that Charlie's not really alive- that is I know that he's just a doll but everytime I see him I talk to him and shake hands and tell stories and he teases me just like he was a real human being friend or something. I hope we can do another radio show real soon. Everytime I have gone to visit his radio show we have the best time. Once we visited toyland and another time Ireland and the last time we went on the easter egg hunt. Then we were finished and on the way out saw so many clothes- they were all for Charlie. And I saw Effie Clinker and Mortimer Snerd but Mr. Bergan said they were sleeping. I wish I had a little friendly doll just like Charlie but I guess I would have to learn to talk like Mr. Bergan first.

April 3: I think it would be nice if they had a place for children in the newspapers. After I read the funnie there's nothing left to see. Maybe I could write a column- I think I will try.

April 4: I asked Mama about writing a column and she said it would be nice and she would help me. We will copy some of it from all my diarys but not the secret part. The schoolteacher said it would probably make me a good speller too. Then I wrote two columns- one about Butch Jenkins and the other about Maggie and Lad. Mama said the schoolteacher was right- my spelling isn't very good. After I do some more she is going to send them to a man back east to see if he likes them. I hope he doies. I think I would like to be a newspaper lady when I grow up.

April 6: Dear Diary,
I was too tired to write in you last night because Mama and I stayed up late and colored eggs for our easter egg hunt this morning. Nancy and Diane and Carol Ann and Patty Lou came over and hunted eggs in our back yard. Nancy found the most eggs so she won the prize. Something awful happened though I guess thats what I get for trying to show off. Everybody was cracking their eggs and eating them so I decided to be funny and crack mine on top of my head. Well I made a mistake and colored some eggs that weren't hardboiled and that was one of them. It got all over my hair and Mama had to take me in and wash my hair before I went to church. I wore my new white coat and hat to church and afterwards we all got to go to the Hitching Post to see Gene Autrey. It was a lovely day. I got three Easter baskets a big stuffed bunny and another real one and a big chocalate egg. I like my bunny very much but I think Maggie and Lad will be jellous.

April 7: I had to give the bunny I got for Easter back to Jimmy Craig today because I broke out in a red rash all over. And the doctor said from now on I'm allergic to bunnies. I feel just awful my bunny was so cute and soft and fuzzy.

April 8: My rash is all gone and so are my easter eggs. Mama says if I don't be careful I'll have a rash all over again. Auntie sent me the sweetest easter basket from New York. Its so pretty I decided to wear it for a hat. I took off the handle and put black velvit ribbon around it and Mama and I went shopping in it. We stopped at the Beverly Wilshire soda fountain to get a soda and I sat right next to Dorothy McGuire. I think she is one of my favorite actresses- I didn't finish my soda I was so excited. And I didn't even ask her for her autograph. I was too bashful. When she was leaving she talked to me- she said Margaret what a sweet hat you are wearing where did you get it? All I did was blush real red because I couldn't tell her I was wearing my easter basket upside down.

April 9: I am so sad- today was the last day of retakes on "Unfinished Dance" and I won't get to see very much of all my girl friends anymore. And I just loved to dance every day. The costumes were so pretty and now I won't even get to wear my ballet dress again. Mr. Pasterneck and Mr. Koster gave a party for everybody on the set and I got a gold bracelet from Mr. Pasterneck and a stuft monkey from Mr. Koster and a gold ring from Mr. Lichine. They are very pretty but I still wish we were just starting to make "Unfinished Dance."

April 12: We are very busy shopping and packing and getting ready to go to New York. Mama bought me a new yellow coat with a cape collar and a turned up Milan straw hat to wear withit. She bought me two party dresses too- one is white organee with a fancy pinafore to wear over it and the other one is green organdee with lots of little colored flowers embroidered on it. I can hardly wait to get to New York so I can wear them. Lionel Barrymore heard I was going on a trip so he bought me the most beautiful present to the studio today. Its a red real leather suitcase with my name on it. He said it was for a journey for Margaret. I'm so proud of my little red suitcase- I'm going to carry it every place I go.

Apri 16: We got a letter from the man in Philadelphia Mama sent my column to. His name is Mr. George Kearney and he said he likes it very much and if I can write just a short little one every day he can put it in some newspapers. I was so excited I told Nancy right away and she said she would read it every day and she'd make her brother do the same thing. But he said he wouldn't because it would probably be all about girls. I guess I better write about boys and girls in it so that boys my age will want to read it too. I'm so happy. Mr. Kearney said when we go to New York on the way I can tell about my trip and everything I see. He said in the meantime write about everything I do in school and the studio and my friends. That will be easy. I can write just like I do here only not everything. And he says I can draw pictures to go with it sometimes. I got a special pad of paper and pencil to carry with me alwase in case I want to write something. So I tried it out right away and wrote about Mama and Nancy and my two white mice today and about writing a column. I have to go to bed now but I'm so excited I don't think I'll be able to sleep.

April 17: I went over to interview Butch Jenkins for my column today and this is what I wrote. Butch Jenkins is a small boy of nine that works at our studio. Jenkins is a small boy of nine that works at our studio with red hair and freckles. We got to be friends in a picture together and when I told him I wanted to interview him he blushed red as he's probably not use to little girl newspaper ladies. And he told an awful fib- he said he was 10 and he's really only 9 1/2 because I was at his last birthday party. Outside of that I like him very much. He loves to go fishing and play football if he carries the ball. The only thing is he saves snakes too. He wants to be a cowboy when grows up and have guns and horses and everything. He has the nicest smile I ever saw- when he smiles he makes everybody smile.

April 18: I had to go to the dentists to have braces put on my teeth. They are hurting so much I couldn't even eat my dinner. The dentist said this would be the last time I would have to wear them. Jimmy Crickets I wanted to go to New York this time without braces- everytime I go anywhere I have to wear them. I guess if I didn't they would go crooked again. Why did I have to have crooked teeth in the first place.

April 20: Well today was very exciting for me. Mother, Uncle Marty, Lad and Maggies stuft standins and I are off to New York. I am sorry we had to leave Maggie and Lad at home- they are going to live with the lady next door. So then we rushed down to the train and when we got in our seats our baggage wasn't there so Mama and I went to see why not. And while Maggie was arguing with the man the train started to go to New York without us and we were left behind. Then the man decided it was all a mistake and he found our baggage and we got in a car and went lickity split to Pasadena where the train we missed was passing by just in time. Then off we went to New York on the train.

April 21: I'll be so glad when we get to New York. I'm so tired of just sitting on this old train. I wish Maggie and Lad were here but I guess mama was right they wouldn't let us keep them here on the train with us. And I knew they would get lonesome on the baggage car. I guess my stuft Maggie and Lad standins will have to do but I will never forget the faces on my dogs faces when we left- they looked so sad.

April 22: I didn't have anything to do on the train so I decided to write some columns. I had so much fun- I wrote four. Two were about our trip and another one was about Charlie Micarthie and the last one was about Maggie and Lad at Maggie's birthday party before we left. I wish I had a typewriter to write them on. Maybe Mama will give me one when we get to New York. Its time for dinner now so Mama and I are going in the dining car.
We just came back. While we were having dinner we got a telegram and now we are going to Washington D. C. first to meet President Truman. That will be nice. I wonder if he will remember Mama and me. I never knew he would be President when we met him at President Roosevelt's birthday party two years ago. Mama says he has a daughter too- I wonder how old she is. Maybe we can play together.

April 24: Mama and I went to visit President Truman at the White House in Washington D.C. today and we had lunch with his whole family. And I met Margaret Truman his daughter. I thought she was going to be little but instead she's all grown up. So we didn't get to play but she showed me her room and her dolls when she was a little girl. She is very nice. Then we saw the bed where Abraham Lincoln slept and its the biggest one I ever saw. After a while we had to go and so did Mr. Truman. Mama said he was very busy. After we left I decided that even though the White House is very pretty I wouldn't want to live there- it's too big.

April 26: Here we are in New York and Mama and I are so excited we don't know what to do first. Auntie Marissa and Uncle Johhny were down at the train to meet us this morning. I was so glad to see them- we haven't seen them in two whole months since they moved to New York. I wanted to go to the automat for lunch so Auntie took me while Mama unpacked all our clothes. I had a ham and cheese sandwich apple pie and a glass of milk. Automats are lots of fun I think. But you have to have lots of nickles.

April 27: Auntie took me to the circus today. We are popcorn and peanuts and pink candy spun like glass and we had the best time. They had lots of things I never saw before at a circus- they had Cinderella and her wedding and they had Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It was so beautiful. And I saw Prince Charming but the best part was when the man rode the bycicle upside down on a little platform way up in the cieling and then he held the trapeze lady in his teeth while she swang back and forth without a net either in case they fell. Then the gorilla like King Kong escaped and everybody was screaming. He came over and sat on a lady's lap- she was so scared. But auntie and I knew he was only a man dressed up like a gorilla. I'm glad Mama isn't in the circus any more. I would get so nervous if she was the trapeze lady. Then Auntie and I came home so we could tell Mama about everything we saw. And Mama's cold is better now.

April 29: We went to see "Alice in Wonderland " tonight and it really was wonderful. It is my favorite book and the play is even better. Bambi Lynn looked just like Alice sitting up there in that big chair when the curtains opened. After the show was over Rita Hassan the lady who produced the show took us back stage and we met the Red Queen and the White Queen and all the animals. I was so surprised to see that Bambi Lynn was a grown up and not a little girl after all. I only wish that the studio would have said yes when Miss Hassan asked Mama and them if I could play Alice. The parts I liked the best in the play were when Alice went through the looking glass, and when Alice was made a queen and the Red Queen and the White Queen fell asleep on her shoulder. I liked Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum too.

April 30: We went shopping today on Fifth Avenue. Mama bought the best shoes thair for wearing in case it rains. They have lambs wool on the inside and on the outside they look something like cowboy boots with a zipper up the middle. I played Violet all day. Mam bought me a pair of glasses with horn rims without the glasses and the man in the store thought we were crazy or something. Then we had lunch at Central Park right across from where they keep the seals. They were having their lunch too and it was fish. A lady asked me if I was Margaret O'Brien. I wanted to try out my new disguise so I said everybody tells me that but I guess she's in Hollywood. And the lady said well if you didn't wear glasses you would look more like her that Margaret herself. I didn't tell a fib andMama and I thought it was a good joke. Then we saw Harold Lloyd in the park where they were feeding the monkeys. But he knew it was me. He called me an imposter or something for wearing the same kind of glasses he does. Then we saw Joan of Lorraine. And Ingrid Bergman is beautiful. I think I would like to grow up and be like her as an actress. Mama and Auntie loved it but I was disappointed because they don't wear costumes all the way through the play. I thought they were going to. Just the same I loved Ingrid Bergman and we got to meet afterwards.

May 2: We went sight seeing today. We saw the Empire State Building- Rockefeller Center, the Statue of Liberty and the zoo in the Central Park. I liked the zoo the best. The man on the top of the Empire State Building said an airplane crashed into it once so we decided to leave. It's the tallest building in the whole world I think. Then we rode on a fairy boat to see the Statue of Liberty. The man told us that the people of France gave it to us so we would know what our country always stood for but I already learned that in school.. Then we rode back and went to the zoo. Mama and I fed the pigeons and visited the monkeys- I like them best of all. When we visited the lions one of them was having an argument with another lion becasue they kept roaring at each other. Mama and I were going to stay longer but we were afraid. It was a nice day- I hope we can go visit the zoo again.

May 3: I went to see Carmen Miranda sing and dance with mama and I was very disappointed because she didn't wear her pineapples and bananies. Instead she wore colored bubbles red, green, yellow, orange, and blue. When she took off her bubled head piece she had the most beautiful yellow carrot hair. I was very surprised because I always thought she was bald. And she sang so fast I could hardly keep up with her but I thought she was wonderful. Mother and I went to her dressing room. I asked her where her pineapples and bananies were and she let me try them on.

May 4: I did a radio broadcast with Kate Smith tonight. I was glad to see her again. After the show she gaveme the best present- a little stuffed animal doll. Then we went to Bill Bertolottis restaurant for our dinner. I had green noodles again- I think thats my favorite food.

May 6: Howard Strickling took Mama and Auntie and I to see the show "Annie Get Your Gun" tonite- it was wonderful. It was all about Annie Oakley and her famous gun and Buffalo Bill and Sitting Bull. The part I liked the best was when Sitting Bull made Annie Oakley an Indian Princess too when we were up there making "Bad Bascomb." I love New York because I get to see lots of shows and stap up late sometimes.

May 8: I Am An American Day was today in Central Park and Mama and I went over. And when we got there- there was Mayor O'Dwyer shaking hands with everybody- and he shook hands with Mama and me. I got to meet Bill Robinson and afterwards he did a dance- it was wonderful. He is one of the most famous dancers in the whole world and his age is 69 years old. He said he has been on the stage since he was three and every day he eats three quarts of ice cream. So we ate some with him- it was very good. Then I met a little Chinese boy- he got a medal pinned on him and he has the best manners. After a while I had to make a speech and this is what I said. I am glad to be an American and wish to congratulate all those who became American Citizens in Central Park today.

May 9: Auntie and I went to the zoo again today. We bought peanuts to feed the birds but one naughty little boy kept scaring the pidgons away so we couldn't feed them. Then we went to visit the polar bears- I think there the prettiest of all. Afterwards we went to Auntie's apartment and made candied apples. She let me make them all by myself. I made one for Mama one for Auntie and two for me. They tasted so good. The man who put my column in the newspapers gave me a party. He invited all the children who have mamas and daddies that are columnists too. I thought I would get to see Walter Winchell but he was away at school. He was the nicest boy I met last year. I met Dorothy Kilgallens little girl- she is so cute. We talked for awhile and then she introduced me to Slugger Wilson. He said his daddy is a columnist too. Then his mama came over and I knew who she was- she was Mrs. Earl Wilson because I met them at a party at Atwater Kents house at home. Then we had ice cream and cake. Mr. Kearney gave me the present I've been hoping for- a real tipewriter. It is gray and it has a stand too so you can even tipe standing up. Now I really feel like a newspaper lady. Everybody wanted to tipe on it so we all took turns and tiped for the rest of the party.

May 10: Since I got my new tipewriter I have been having lots of fun. I can only tipe with two fingers but I already have learned how to make pictures on it. And I write my columns and stories on it too. The way I make the pictures is I make XXX I can draw trees and automobiles and a house and that is all. And I can write letters on it too. My tipewriter even has a stand that folds so I can write in bed with it but on Aunties you can't. And it has red ink and black ink and white ink on it but I usually write with black ink because it looks more like a newspaper lady. I think any typewriter is the most wonderful thing in the world outside of my dogs.

May 11: Today was Mother's Day and Auntie and I had a nice surprise for Mama. We bought her a beautiful blue real silk scarf and we sent her a dozen roses. Mama was so surprised. Then Mama got a white carnation from Auntie to wear and a red one for me and a white one for her and we went to church and lit candles for my grandmother. It was a lovely day.

May 14: I met Babe Ruth and Mel Ott today. They are baseball players only Mr. Ruth said he only teaches now- he doiesn't really play. Uncle Marty was so excited- he said it was worth our whole trip to New York just to meet them. Mr. Ott gave me a baseball with all the players autographs on it. He has two little girls just my age and he said they read my column. Everybody said Mr. Ott was real famous because he can throw a ball all the way to the man with the bat so slow that he can run catch it before it gets there. Its called a slow ball. I think they were fibbing but Uncle Marty said no.

May 15: Auntie got a leprechaun today. Its a cute little old man shoe cobbler. He looks like my Mexican old man doll. I wonder if he really can make wishes come true. In case he does I better not forget what you do- close your eyes- then make a wish and stroke his back three times. Then I studied for the radio show with Bing Crosby. It's a long part- I hope I don't forget it. Mama said maybe next year if I read better I can read from the script instead of memorizing. That will be nice. Then I listened to the Count of Monte Cristo- it was exciting this time. I wish I could have been a lady of the olden days with a castle and everything. Maybe some day I will be. Then I said my prayers. Mama came in and said lights out. I don't like to go to bed so early. Maybe next year I can go to bed at 9:30 instead. I hope my leprechaun wish comes true.

May 16: Auntie said the leprechaun was charmed. I don't like to admit is but maybe he is. My wish came true. It was a hard one too. We've been trying to get some western boots to fit me for the longest time and just when we gave up hope I made the wish and the mailman brought me a pair that just fit. I wore them on my riding lesson today and there just right. It was wonderful. I felt like a cowgirl except I didn't have a hat. The name of the horse was Blaze- he was black and I got to feed him some sugar afterwards. Next week the man said I could ride around the ring all by myself. I tried to make another wish for some cowboy hats but Auntie said no- only special wishes once a week and anyway he's tired from working on the first wish. I wonder if he really did it. Just the same I'm going to try again.

May 17: We went to Barbara Billingsley party as her daddy's restaurant called the Stork Club. I met a little girl from China and another one from India and from all over the world. And they all spoke english too. Everybody got favors and mine was the best doll. It has three faces one is crying face the next one is a happy face and the last one is a sleeping face. All you do is turn the knob on top the dolls bonnet to get the face you want. I liked seeing Barbara again. She told me about her school and her summer camp. I hope her daddy will let her come visit us next year. Then we came home. I played with my new doll for awhile. I guess I will have to give her three names one for each face though my favortie is the happy face.

May 19: Today Mama, Auntie and I went to visit Family Circle Magazine with Mr. Harry Evans. We saw the Family Circle kitchen where they try out new recipes and three ladies were in there making fancy ice cream sodas. Mr. Endicott asked me if I would like to try to make one too. I made mine with orange ice and ginger ale. Then we made all different kinds of sodas for everybody and had an ice cream party. Mr. Evans and Mr. Endicott found out I like to write stories and they asked me if I would like to write some for Family Circle. Mama said I could if I liked. Tomorrow we are going out on a sight seeing trip with Mr. Evans.

May 20: Mr Evans came by for us- first we went into the Metropolitan Museum. We visited the place where they keep all the armer and I never saw so much armer in my life. There wasn't anybody in there so Mr. Evans and I pretended we were in King Arthurs court and I was a lady of the olden days and he was going to rescue me from the bad night. We had so much fun- then some people came and we had to stop playing and be very dignafide. We saw the beautiful silver on it. They had the part he wore on his head. It looked so heavy I don't see how he could walk around it it. They even had his spear too that he fought battles with and sord. The next room was full of pictures. The first ones we saw were made out of stone so I guess they didn't have paints or crayolas then but in another room they had beautiful painted pictures. I guess we went to every room in the whole museum- it was wonderful. Then our feet hurt so we came home. Mr. Evans said we can go visiting other places in New York sometime and I can hardly wait.

May 21: We met President Aleman of Mexico in our hotel today. He has a little boy and they live down the hall from us. The elevator boy told us we could see him if we waited in the lobby for awhile. Alicia my girl friend in Mexico said he was very handsome and when I saw him I decided she was right. Then Mr. Ready the manager of the hotel Waldorf introduced him to us. And I was so nervous I almost forgot all my Spanish. I did remember to curtsy and say Como Esta Ud. el Presedente? but thats all I could remember. He kept talking in spanish when Mama wanted me too. But then he started talking in english and we were so surprised. Imagine meeting two presidents in one week.

May 24: I got the best present today from Mr. and Mrs. Bertolotti. Its a sweet little toy fox terrier puppy with half chiwawa in him. He's all white except for a black head and tail and I'm going to call him Derby because he looks like he's wearing one. And he's the peppiest thing. He loves to play and bark at me and already in one day he minds me when I call him. He's just big enough to fit in my pocket and I'm going to take him wherever I go.

May 25: We came to Bermuda today. It was a wonderful trip on the big airplane. We flew above the clouds. If we went any higher we would have been in heaven. The girl on the plane was very nice she was the stewardess and she had blond hair. She told me not to be afrade because we were only 17,000 feet up in the sky but that only made it worse. Then a man named Bill brought out yards and yards of money all pasted together from different countrys. He asked me to sign a big red money bill from Mexico and I was so surprised- I signed right next to Vivien Leigh. Vivien Leigh is one of my favorite actresses. Then the blond stewardess brought the tray. I didn't think I was hungry but I was because I ate everything. Fried chicken, salad, and the best ice cream- it was chocolate and vanilla mixt. They told us to fasten our seat belts because in a minute we were going to land. Then I looked out of our little window. Every plane has a little window by your seat so you can look out if you want to. When I looked out I saw the most beautiful little island it was all green with white houses and beautiful lakes. And so here we are in Bermuda.

May 26: Bermuda is beautiful they don't have so many automobiles here instead they have horse and buggies with fringe on top. We rode around the island on one and there were lots of people riding bicycles too. In front sometimes they even carry their little babies in baskets. I saw a cow in somebodys front yard and I thought we were still in the country but we weren't we were almost in Bermuda Village. I guess they keep them for pets here. Our hotel isn't like a hotel at all instead its like lots of little old fashioned cottages. I had my dinner and it was very good. Then I went to sleep with the frogs singing under my window. They sing all the time in Bermuda.

May 29: Today Mother, Uncle Marty and I started our sightseeing trip through Bermuda. When we came out of our cottage there was the horse and buggie waiting for us. We had just got started when something fell off the buggie. Mother said it was a flat tire and that's what it was but it didn't take the driver very long to fix it he tied it with a piece of string. Then we got started again. After an hour we got to Devil's Hold where they have all kinds of fish. There was a fish called butterfly fish and it really looks like a butterfly. Then there was the biggest turtle I ever saw. There was the most beautiful blue fish and they had a shark too. Then we got back in the buggie to go to the Crystal Cave. We just arrived at the Crystal Cave and got ready to go down when a beautiful bird flew into the cave. The man said it was called a Cardinal Rd Wing Bird. Then we went down some steps in the cave to the bottom of the earth. It was just like fairyland- there were beautiful crystal drapings- some had been there hundreds of years- then they became statues. It looked just like a crystal village. Then we went over a little bridge and underneath was a blue stream. When all of the sudden they turned on some different colored lights and the red bird flew out again- it was wonderful. Then the man who showed us the crystal cave broke off a little crystal so I would always remember it.

June 1: Auntie and Uncle Johnny were at the airport to meet us tonight. Auntie just loved the present I brought her from Bermuda- it's a box of pretty colored stones. We were so glad to see Auntie Mama let me stay up a little extra late so we couldtalk. But now I have to go to sleep. I'm tired anyway, so I don't mind. Goodnight.

June 2: My poor little puppy got sick and died today. The doctor said he probably had something wrong with him ever since he was born and was better for him to die than to be sick all his life. I don't think its fair that he didn't have at least a little chance to grow up. Mama said don't feel too badly because he went to a special place in heaven for little puppies like him and he will be very happy there. Just the same I will never forget my poor little dog Derby.

June 5: We are on the train going to Florida. Auntie and Bill McCormick and Don Silvio came to say goodbye and while they were in our rooms saying goodbye and the porter was fixing our baggage the train started moving. The porter said not to worry we would move back again and anyway he didn't finish putting on all our baggage yet. I looked out the window and there was my little red suitcase and all Uncle Martys baggage too. We didn't worry at first but after awhile when the train still kept moving everybody started getting worried and then Bill McCormick found the conductor and he told him the train was on its way to Florida. So Auntie and Bill and Don had to ride all the way to Newark before they could get off. Poor Uncle Marty hasn't any clothes with him now not even his toothbrush and I haven't any little red suitcase.

June 6: We arrived in Miami this morning and there were lots of people there to say hello to us. The Mayors little girl gave me a great big key with my name on it she said its the key to the city. Then she gave me a glass of orange juice. It tasted wonderful. I was so thirsty. I wish we could have stayed in Miami looked so pretty from the airoplane. Everything was white and pink with ever so many palm trees and the bluest green water I ever did see. We got in Havana late at night- it was almost ten o'clock- and we had the nicest surprise. There were lots of little boys and girls to meet us. They all had armfuls of flowers and they said welcome to Havana Margarita. Then they gave us the bouquets of lilies and gardenias and one little girl even gave me a pair of maracas. I like the people in Havana they are so friendly and nice. Its fun traveling and meeting new friends. Then we came here to our hotel which is right next to the ocean. It has marbel floors and walls- and is different than the hotels we have at home. Mama says thats because its Spanish style. There is a real balcony right off our bedroom where we can watch the ocean. I wanted to stay up for awhile but Mam said its past my bedtime so now I have to go to bed.

June 7: Mama and I forgot to wake up this morning until we heard someone singing under our window. They were little Cuban boys and girls seranading us. Mama said I better wash my face and run out and thank them. I hurried so fast I didn't brush my hair but I ran down before they left and said gracias. Then I came back and Mama combed and braided my hair. Then we had breakfast on our balcony. I had the best fresh pineapple and it didn't come out of a can either and we watched the boats in the bay while we ate. Then we got in a taxi and drove all through the city and out into the country. Mama said I was here once before when I was a little baby but I don't remember it. Havana looks something like Mexico City only different. Just the same I love visiting Havana.
June 8: Some little Cuban girls came over and invited me to go swimming. I thought it would be nice and Mama said yes until I saw the little fishes in the water. And I was afraid but everybody else was in the water with the fishes so I just had to go in too. It's the funniest feeling swimming with fishes all around. They looked like sardines. Mama told me to keep my mouth shut in the water or else I might swallow one but I didn't. I think I like swimming in the oceans where they don't have any fish the best. Then we came out and we had the best coconut ice cream. We decided to play Hide and Seek and all the little girls knew how. I didn't know they played the same games here as we do at home. The little girls didn't speak english very well and I didn't remember my spanish but just the same we had the best time and we all became friends. I guess making friends is eady anywhere if you want to even if you can't talk..