I'm Gretchen Rubin and this is a little happier.

I know, I know, I said I'd come to the end of my fascination with Dolly Parton,

but apparently I have not. One of the things that fascinates me about Dolly Parton

is that I think she's so underestimated. Of course, she's a superstar and celebrated,

but I think that people don't appreciate how thoughtful, strategic, and far-sighted she has been

during her decades-long career and in all of her accomplishments.

Among other things, I so admire her absolute clarity in her sense of herself,

and what she wants, and her supreme command of herself in her public presentation.

From what I've observed, she's very skillful at turning interviews the way she wants,

and maintaining a certain playful image in the public eye.

I wish that over the years, interviewers had asked her more thoughtful questions,

and pressed her to speak more revealingly about her ideas and aspirations.

For instance, I was very struck by one fleeting moment in an interview she did with Barbara

Walters way back in 1977 when Dolly Parton was just 31 on the Barbara Walters special TV show.

Dolly Parton is looking as she always does with a big blonde wig, a bright turquoise outfit,

a big turquoise rose in her hair, lots of makeup.

Barbara Walters literally asks her if she gives her measurements.

And here's part of the conversation where Dolly Parton is describing her attitude towards show

business. I know exactly what I'm doing, and I can change it at any time.

There are more jokes about myself than anybody.

Because I know, like I say, I'm sure of myself as a person.

I'm sure of my talent.

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