July 26, 2010 - Photo by Jeff Fusco/Getty Images

Aretha Franklin sat  for the firs time since  her health to speak with Jet magazine.  Although she’s taking it easy, the legendary singer seems to be in  good spirits. Franklin declined to state whether or not reports of her having pancreatic cancer were true.

Here’s some snippets from the interview-

How is Aretha feeling these days:

“I feel great. The doctors say I can do whatever I feel like I am up to do. Of course, that doesn’t mean any concerts or anything like that. But I can do things around the house, and today I am just piddling around the house.”
Aretha on what she’s been doing lately:
“I am putting Aretha together first,” she tells Jet. “This is Aretha time to do whatever it is that I need to do. But I will talk more later.” “It is good to sit up, too,” Franklin added. “I also might make one or two business calls. Not too much, just a teeny bit.”

Franklin told Vibe that even though she has a private nurse, her family and friends are taking goof care of her.
Franklin on Stevie Wonder, Oprah Winfrey, Patti LaBelle and Dionne Warwick sending her well-wishes:

“They know that I am a lot more than the girl in the Pink Cadillac on the Freeway of Love who also sings about Respect,” she said of her pals. “They pray without ceasing for me.” “God has given me the greatest gift already for the holidays,” Franklin gushed of her improved health. “I am so grateful.”