Duncan: No better way to describe me than a wingnut from the Twilight Zone

I sucked in a breath three years ago and submitted my first ever column to our local newspaper. I was just offered a regular Friday spot, and it was a dream come true.

Long before I was married or had kids of my own, I ran across my mom’s books written by Erma Bombeck. Her style and humor hooked me immediately. She understood the importance of a good belly laugh, even in the darkest moments.

She was a humor columnist, and that’s what I wanted to be. That’s what I became, and I cherish that role.

About a year ago, I began going through all my columns on the newspaper’s website. On my very first column was a comment I hadn’t noticed before. I was called a wingnut from the Twilight Zone. Had I run across that the first day it was published, I may have never submitted another one.

After nearly 10 years of writing columns now, my readers would all agree the comment is true.

I totally am a wingnut from the Twilight Zone. There’s no better way to describe me.

That time had to tell bill collectors I couldn’t pay them until my purse returned from the circus. (Because I left it at under the big top at the Circus Museum in Wisconsin, and they mailed it back to me at no charge in the most colorful, circusy box.)

When I accidentally bought my own pants back from Goodwill.

When I was single, I hated going to the laundromat, so I instituted Dirty Sock Day — which then led to Ugly Dress Day. There was nothing else in my closet except my Granny’s puke green dress from 1968 that was so ugly it was cute.

Sometimes when work would get stressful, Ugly Dress Day would bring a little joy to the day. And that made me feel good. Being a wingnut is a blessing, friends.

Those are the light hearted moments that get me through the heavy ones. Those are silver linings to a life that is sometimes filled with clouds.

So friends, I encourage you to embrace your silly. Laugh at yourself when life gets dark.

And don’t be afraid to be a wingnut. You’re in good company.