Hostess With The Mostest

Perle Mesta

Every time I hosted Thanksgiving, in fact, any time I hosted anything, my dad would say, without fail, "Litaface, you're a real Perle Mesta." "Perle who?" "Perle Mesta. The hostess with the mostest." It was the highest of compliments. Perle Mesta was a stylish socialite, an epic party-giver, a liberal-minded diplomat who inspired "Call Me Madam," starring, who else, Ethel Merman. Let's face it, I have very little in common with her, starting with my diplomatic skills. Still, to be called Perle Mesta by my dad meant the world to me. What I wouldn't give to hear him call me Perle Mesta just one more time, with feeling.

Washington could really use a gal like Perle Mesta now.