Dreams Come True

When I was a kid, I loved reading the daily newspaper.  Actually, I loved reading just certain parts of it.  I didn’t care so much what the news was – as it always seemed the same to me – politics and crime.  I guess not much has changed over the years in that regard. 

Back then, reading the comics was a given, but I also treasured Dear Abby’s column as it was always so full of practical tips that I put to use whenever I could.  I’ll never forget her advice once when a newlywed bride wrote in all perplexed about the non-stop bickering between her and her husband over where the catsup bottle belongs.  She wanted it in the refrigerator so the contents would be cold, but he insisted on keeping it in the cupboard where it would remain at room temperature.  And what was Abby’s advice?  Well, brilliant, actually.  She wrote, “Buy an extra bottle of catsup so you can both have what you want.”  I think I’ve applied that wisdom more times in my life than anything I ever learned in all my years at school.

But I have to say my all time favorite thing to read in the newspaper was the column written by Erma Bombeck.  I thought she was the funniest thing on the planet and I often fantasized about what it would be like to be one of her kids.  She portrayed the mother/child relationship in more realistic terms than the stereotyped mothers I saw on television at that time.  She was entertaining, she made me laugh, and she inspired me.  I thought even back then that when I grew up, I wanted to be known as the “next” Erma Bombeck, and not just because my last name was similar.  I wanted to write about life and everyday normal things but most of all, I wanted to entertain people and make them laugh.

Well, I’m not as funny as Erma and I don’t even come close to a guy like Dave Barry.  I have observed that life is funny sometimes, but sometimes it’s serious and thought provoking, too.  I may not have developed a sophisticated sense of humor, but even if I can inspire a chuckle every now and then, it would be a thrill.

Sandy Stokes, the editor of our beloved little hometown newspaper, has asked me to start writing a “general life” column for the paper.  She had no idea of my inner desire to start channeling Erma Bombeck, so it was truly a miraculous offer for me - one I just can’t refuse. 

I’ve been writing “Nuggets From Norway” for nearly three years now and honestly, each week I think I can’t possibly come up with another idea, but then I do.  And the few times when I don’t, Sandy reruns one of my older columns, as she insists most people can’t remember what they read three years ago anyway.  But when I think back to that Dear Abby column that so transformed my life, I must disagree. 

So one day the “Nuggets” column may rest in peace, but perhaps my “Life on the Ridge” column will go national.  It never hurts to dream, as it seems my dreams are already coming true.