When I was growing up I used to love to read all of Erma Bombeck's books, thinking at the time that she made all that funny stuff up. She talked about marriage, children, housework, neighbors, pets, shopping, fashion (or lack thereof), entertaining, friends, family...you name it...life is what she was always talking about in the most humorous of ways. As I grew older, these things I thought she was making up started to become my actual life. She wasn't kidding!! As crazy as Erma Bombeck sounded I think she was the sanest person on the planet. Looking back and applying what I learned from Erma, I know I am normal, even when I feel a little nuts.
Years later when I became a travel agent, someone introduced me to Erma's book "When You Look Like Your Passport Photo, It's Time To Go Home". I feel as though this would be the perfect gift for all of my travel clients, because once again, Erma tells it like it is. Even the savviest of travelers will appreciate the humor that she has found in traveling all over the world.
Here is a little excerpt where Erma talks about preparing to leave on a trip...
My husband said, "When you are leaving town, it is wise to tell as few people as possible." I hate it when he talks down to me. What does he think I am? Stupid? The only people I told we were leaving town were:
Tim, our paperboy, who had to tell his branch manager and his sub. Ralph, our postman, who is not only going to hold our mail, but offered to put a note on the post office bulletin board for someone to cut our grass. Helen, who has our house key. My aerobics class and instructor, hairdresser, and dentist. The entire waiting room at the kennel where I made arrangements to board the dog. Marj at the bank, who made out our traveler's checks. Shirley at AAA, who routed our trip. The saleswoman who helped me with a bathing suit and the nice man who sold me a new piece of luggage. The water softener deliveryman whom I told about the key I keep under the white rock at the end of the drive. The dry cleaners...in idle conversation. Sam, our druggist, who prescribed something for extreme exposure to sun and children. The Little League coach and the team. Evelyn, who was giving a birthday party for Stef and needed to know why we weren't coming. The society editor, Marjabelle Mix, who wanted a little paragraph for her weekly column.
I may not be the most sophisticated traveler whoever hit the road, but I know enough to sneak out of town.
So, if you are interested in reading more Erma and her witty humor,here is a quick link to this wonderful book and a few of her others that I highly recommend:
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