Episode 278 - The Patron Saint of Moms: Erma Bombeck's Ordinary Extraordinary Life
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Thirty years after her death, Erma Bombeck is still the patron saint of moms everywhere so it felt only fitting to celebrate her life and legacy with Mother's Day just around the corner. She wrote the messy, hilarious, heartwarming truth about marriage and motherhood before it was a hashtag. "I brought children into this lousy, mixed-up world because when you love someone and they love you back, the world doesn’t look that lousy or seem that mixed up." Join Jennie and Dianne on this latest episode of the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast as they dive into her life, her funniest writings, and why so much of her humor and wisdom still apply today. ~ "When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say: “I used everything you gave me."
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Family Tales: A free printable, is now available! Gather 'round the table and dig into your roots! This interactive family history game is perfect for holidays, reunions, or just because. Ask, listen, and laugh your way through generations of stories and secrets. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UT_R56qEwNTIxIBrTy8KFyVmGnFOe7g8/view?usp=sharing
Resources used to research this episode include:
University Of Dayton. "Erma Bombeck ." https://ermabombeckcollection.com/. ermabombeckcollection.com/. Accessed 3 May 2026.
University Of Dayton. "Erma’s Life ." https://ermabombeckcollection.com/. ermabombeckcollection.com/life/. Accessed 3 May 2026.
Svoboda, Melanie . "Erma Bombeck: American Humorist ." https://melanniesvobodasnd.org/. 22 May 2017. melanniesvobodasnd.org/erma-bombeck/. Accessed 3 May 2026.
Britannica Editors. "Erma Bombeck." https://www.britannica.com/. 18 Apr. 2026. www.britannica.com/biography/Erma-Bombeck. Accessed 3 May 2026.
Wright Memorial Public Library . "Erma Bombeck ." https://www.wrightlibrary.org/. www.wrightlibrary.org/daytonliterarytrail/writers/bombeck. Accessed 3 May 2026.
Burrow, Christopher . https://americanwritersmuseum.org/. 5 Dec. 2017. americanwritersmuseum.org/erma-bombeck/?srsltid=AfmBOoppnJpZqPOqAuu-mrDG10c7-YCvqaUjSPmW-arGVd2-ebyHHZ_A. Accessed 3 May 2026.