“Why Erma?” someone asked.
Erma Bombeck was the first humor writer that I ever read. As a kid, when I had exhausted the stack of books from the summer bookmobile, I would browse through the house for reading material. There on the living room bookshelf, near the Reader’s Digest Condensed versions and the set of encyclopedias, stood several Erma books in various stages of dogearedness. The paperback that stands out in my mind is “The Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank.” I used to think the title meant something like “the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence”, but later, as I contemplated the uncanny ability of septic tanks to either green up a lawn in no time, or kill the grass completely, the title had great depth.
Or it is entirely possible that I over-thought that book title. I had a lot of time on my hands.
To me, the wonder of her humor is this: I was a 10 year old kid who had never lived in a suburb. Erma’s world of grown-up responsibilities and tedium and frustrations and joys — that was not my world. Yet her situations were so comically real and her descriptions so universal that somehow I understood how she felt. And I would laugh out loud.
I forgot about Erma for many years. Then, staying in a vacation house on Marco Island, I found a bookshelf filled with an eclectic mix of titles, the kind of collection that grows from people leaving a book and taking a book as they come and go. I spotted Erma there on the shelf and started to read, and I laughed out loud. I watched my own kids race around and bicker and joke and I saw my family, and I smiled.
A recent comment from the wonderful writer Darrelyn Saloom sums it up for me:
…I adore Erma Bombeck. Her column and books were a housewife’s drug before anti-depressants. I never needed ‘em. I had Erma to fire up those synapses in my brain.
As I listened to writer after writer share their stories at the conference, women and men, I heard so many experiences that mirrored my own. As children themselves, they also related to her humor. And here I thought I was the only pre-tween who found these books funny even though the setting was on another planet.
Yet, funny or not, I must admit that Erma’s world in a suburb of Dayton, Ohio served as a cautionary tale to me as a kid. I had no aspirations to be a Midwestern housewife, or a stay at home mom. In fact, I spent a long time running in the opposite direction. But, as I learned from reading Erma’s stories long ago, life is funny. The winding paths of the years can even land an unsuspecting girl in suburban southwestern Ohio, not 30 miles from where Erma’s septic tank was fertilizing the lawn as she raised a couple kids. I have found myself in an unforeseen life, one I never dreamed could make me happy.
But this life does make me happy. Thanks, Erma, for finding the funny in everyday situations, and sharing the stories. Now I can see that being a mom can be the most noble profession of all. Even in the ‘burbs. Writing about it sounds good too.
Hi Jane!
Thanks for your comment about my Carol Burnett post! That was my favorite show as a kid!
I love, love, love Erma Bombeck! I have a book of her’s and I too find myself laughing out loud. There aren’t many books that I keep and read over and over, but her’s is one of them!
BTW – I love your blog (just subscribed!) And hope it’s okay that I put your link on mine! I’m fairly new to this blogging stuff so not sure if I should have asked first! Can’t imagine it’s a bad thing though!!!!
Thanks, Christine for adding my link to your blog. That is an honor and always welcome. Glad you stopped by!
Sorry I didn’t get to meet you at the conference! I also love Erma, and so enjoyed the writers’ converence! And I live in Dayton, Erma’s home.
Erma rocks! Clean humor that deals with everyday kinds of things gets me every time! I want to be her when I grow up!
Kris, I think you have the quote of the day with “Erma rocks!”
a thoughtful and heartwarming piece, so many of us can relate to your feelings about Erma
Thanks, Barb! Glad you stopped by!
I have been a bookseller for many years and no matter the genre, one common denominator stands out when I consider what makes a good book; entertaining stories cross all boundaries. Many of us grew up with Erma’s stories in newspaper columns and books. She communicated the funny stuff we all share in our living rooms with family and friends… the kind of everyday situations that make us all laugh and cry.
Amen, Joel, amen. I always enjoy your perspective!
Her column and books were a housewife’s drug before anti-depressants. I love that line. Sometimes you just gotta laugh or you will go insane.
Love that you attended this workshop and I’m so looking forward to your next works blogs, columns, books etc cause I know whatever you write will make me :), laugh, and giggle!
Mairi
Thanks M! Isn’t that line from Darrelyn just perfect? Not that there is anything wrong with better living through modern chemistry… (am I the poster child yet?)
I am so proud to be quoted by you, especially in a post about Erma Bombeck. Glad I had nothing salacious to say. 🙂 Your first post inspired me to read Erma again. The first quote I read described my age, ” too old for a paper route, too young for Social Security and too tired for an affair.”
Darrelyn — it’s here! Your comment was stuck in Janeland. I really should turn off the blog option that I have to approve all comments before they appear… in fact, I am inspired by your purgatory in Janeland — I will get that done today. Love that quote! Can I quote you on the quote quoting the quote??
I love this. I too, had the same interpretation of that book and about septic tanks (I never had one in my yard). So glad we connected on an Erma level! 😉
Heidi, you are fun. I never knew that the word Erma could be used in so many forms — it is now a verb, adjective, the possibilities are endless! Have an Erma day! 🙂
Great piece Jane. Welcome out of the lurker status. So nice to meet you and now read your words. Keep going.
Thanks, Wanda! The crowns were the crowning touch, and helped me find you…