Erma lives on at my house! I don't have the original column, so the dollar examples may be inflated, but we often quote her column about a $17,000 couch cushion. Seems she bought a new couch cushion and brought it home. It made the sofa look dingy, so she had it reupholstered. Then the carpet looked worn and the drapes looked faded. Very quickly that single cushion had cost thousands!
If you ever see that column, I would love to get the original story since it's now cited by three generations of my family as the law of unintended consequences.
Love it! Sounds like it might have been one of her newspaper columns, Alice. I’ll look. And there are bloggers who write only about Erma and they might know. Bottom line, we can all relate. One thing leads to another…
I recall reading in a magazine that Erma advised us to go ahead and burn the pretty rose shaped candle, rather than saving it for some day. I lit my lovely pink Avon candle and enjoyed it from my bubble bath. I make a layered salad often. It's my hubby's favorite!
So great to remember Irma, especially at this moment. I related to her stories and laughed at humor, even when I was rebelling against the idea of becoming a wife, mother or housewife (late ‘60s). Now I relate to some of her late-stage regrets, like “I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.” So cool that you met and interviewed her daughter, Anne.
When I was younger, I would get the newspaper and read Erma's column along with the comics. The older I got the more I understood. I would hear my parents laughing and talking about "Erma's column". At first, I thought they were talking about a lady in my hometown, but I didn't know she wrote in the Memphis paper. Like I said later in life I found out who she was and enjoyed her column.
Erma’s daughter told me that Erma’s mom was also funny. So obviously it all rubbed off on Erma to look at life differently and perhaps some of the wisdom/humor of an older person rubbed off on her as well. I agree about age, but even more - life experiences - that help you get Erma. Thanks for sharing!
I can’t think of any quotes off hand but the first thought that came to my mind was her bowl of cherries book. I wish she were back for a little while to make people laugh and maybe show them not take life so seriously. She could be today’s social influencer and let people see that we can survive problems without having to take an anti anxiety pill.
Faye, it is a wonderfully rich dressing, but the viscosity of it allows it to rest on top of the salad until tossed. If you poured over a vinaigrette it would seep down into the salad - you can absolutely do this, but you will have a soggy salad by morning. This reminds me of my friend Alice in Atlanta who made wonderful salads to take places. She would place all the heavy stuff, the chunks of tomato and avocado, onion, etc in the bottom of the salad bowl and dress them. Then she’d pile on the lettuce and the crispy things like bacon or toasted nuts. When she got to her destination, she tossed it all in the bowl. Brilliant.
It was a real pleasure. Other than spending the entire day yesterday writing it, it was a real pleasure getting to look inside her and meet her lovely family.
"The grass is always greener over the septic tank." It was a book-to-film, but it's a quote I associate with Erma. I remember reading her column in *Good Housekeeping*, my mom's magazine I would read cover to cover.
Maybe! I’ve gravitated to a blue bag with a purple ribbon. But when I landed in Phoenix , sure enough, there was another blue bag with purple ribbon. Maybe I need to jazz things up.
You are amazing.Take care.Julie
Thank you, Julie. Wondering if the UK knew Erma Bombeck?
This is my second favorite post of yours. (The previous one was “political”). You are in the midst of and driving the zeitgeist.
You are far too kind, Lou Ann. This one fell in my lap.
Erma lives on at my house! I don't have the original column, so the dollar examples may be inflated, but we often quote her column about a $17,000 couch cushion. Seems she bought a new couch cushion and brought it home. It made the sofa look dingy, so she had it reupholstered. Then the carpet looked worn and the drapes looked faded. Very quickly that single cushion had cost thousands!
If you ever see that column, I would love to get the original story since it's now cited by three generations of my family as the law of unintended consequences.
Love it! Sounds like it might have been one of her newspaper columns, Alice. I’ll look. And there are bloggers who write only about Erma and they might know. Bottom line, we can all relate. One thing leads to another…
I recall reading in a magazine that Erma advised us to go ahead and burn the pretty rose shaped candle, rather than saving it for some day. I lit my lovely pink Avon candle and enjoyed it from my bubble bath. I make a layered salad often. It's my hubby's favorite!
She did indeed say that. Why save it for another time when it might melt in the attic or something like that. Layered salad is practical and good!
So great to remember Irma, especially at this moment. I related to her stories and laughed at humor, even when I was rebelling against the idea of becoming a wife, mother or housewife (late ‘60s). Now I relate to some of her late-stage regrets, like “I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.” So cool that you met and interviewed her daughter, Anne.
Ruth, it was a writer’s dream to meet her daughter and continue the conversation. I appreciate how EB’s tone shifted with age. Mine has!
When I was younger, I would get the newspaper and read Erma's column along with the comics. The older I got the more I understood. I would hear my parents laughing and talking about "Erma's column". At first, I thought they were talking about a lady in my hometown, but I didn't know she wrote in the Memphis paper. Like I said later in life I found out who she was and enjoyed her column.
Erma’s daughter told me that Erma’s mom was also funny. So obviously it all rubbed off on Erma to look at life differently and perhaps some of the wisdom/humor of an older person rubbed off on her as well. I agree about age, but even more - life experiences - that help you get Erma. Thanks for sharing!
What a woman.
Indeed!
“Housework is a treadmill to oblivion with stop offs between tedium and counter productivity.”
Amen on that!
I can’t think of any quotes off hand but the first thought that came to my mind was her bowl of cherries book. I wish she were back for a little while to make people laugh and maybe show them not take life so seriously. She could be today’s social influencer and let people see that we can survive problems without having to take an anti anxiety pill.
I agree, Leslie. Laughter is the best medicine. As Jay Leno said, ‘’You cannot be mad at somebody who makes you laugh.’’
Nice article! Thank you!
The recipe sounds good too. I often assemble my salads the way you described but I don't think I've had or made one with such a rich dressing.
Faye, it is a wonderfully rich dressing, but the viscosity of it allows it to rest on top of the salad until tossed. If you poured over a vinaigrette it would seep down into the salad - you can absolutely do this, but you will have a soggy salad by morning. This reminds me of my friend Alice in Atlanta who made wonderful salads to take places. She would place all the heavy stuff, the chunks of tomato and avocado, onion, etc in the bottom of the salad bowl and dress them. Then she’d pile on the lettuce and the crispy things like bacon or toasted nuts. When she got to her destination, she tossed it all in the bowl. Brilliant.
Remember,You borned me.
This is great, thanks for bringing Erma to us when we need her!
It was a real pleasure. Other than spending the entire day yesterday writing it, it was a real pleasure getting to look inside her and meet her lovely family.
"The grass is always greener over the septic tank." It was a book-to-film, but it's a quote I associate with Erma. I remember reading her column in *Good Housekeeping*, my mom's magazine I would read cover to cover.
That was a classic, Denise. Thank you!
I like the comment about the first bag off the carousel - maybe it’s a tester bag?
Maybe! I’ve gravitated to a blue bag with a purple ribbon. But when I landed in Phoenix , sure enough, there was another blue bag with purple ribbon. Maybe I need to jazz things up.
Lovely tribute, Anne! Erma is precious.