Ever since the mid-sixties, almost twenty years after her husband Franklin died, Eleanor Roosevelt disappeared from the national spotlight and became forgotten. Fortunately the extremely sincere Ann Curry, host of the TODAY show, was able to sit down and ask the 115-year-old activist and dementia patient what her thoughts are on past and current events.

Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt (left) poses with Ann Curry before the interview.

Ann: It is so good to be here with you, Mrs. Roosevelt. You serve as an inspiration to so many young women.

Eleanor: My pleasure, Ann. You can’t slap an elephant and get an apple!

Ann: Mmmmm, that is so true, Mrs. Roosevelt. I think we all lose sight of what’s important in our lives. How have you managed to find such harmony in your life beginning with the Great Depression?

Eleanor: Oh, I always told Franklin to cut the bell peppers into strips instead of rings. You can’t really do much with a bell pepper ring. It’s not like toilet paper, which is highly acidic, although it still has seeds.

Ann: Wow. So you found true peace in your heart through this dynamic relationship you had with Franklin?

Eleanor: Well you really couldn’t just lace up your corset and expect the sidewalks to let you know about it. Ann, what I like most is three scoops of vanilla with peanuts sprinkled on top. It’s the top where you get the most done. The bottom of the desk is rarely useful.

Ann: And that’s where your passion for women’s rights sprung from?

Eleanor: Oh definitely. Ice cream without peanuts is like jumping while holding a cup of coffee. I could imagine having walnuts instead but no, I never ate ice cream in the car. The car is what’s responsible for the illegal immigrants in this nation, which is why brown eggs just don’t taste the same.

Ann: Mrs. Roosevelt, this has been such a pleasure to meet you and talk with you and I really…

Eleanor: Well I’ll tell you, there’s nothing I like more than a real Christmas tree. You can have your electric mail. You can have your teletubes. But I really like peanuts.

Ann: Thank you so much for sharing that thought with us. You are what so many young women out there want to be.

Eleanor: I’ve got this hernia. But I like sunflowers, so no, I wouldn’t say that a shower head could defeat a permanent marker… It’s really very subjective… And another thing is… That elephant really could pick those apples.

Ann: Wow. I could sit with you all day. I admire you for who you are and what you still stand for. Matt, back to you and Meredith in the studio…