Driving on the Wrong Side of the Road: Humorous Views on Love, Lust, & Lawn Care

Diana Estill
Brown Books Publishing Group (2006)
ISBN 1933285419
Reviewed by Kelli Glesige for Reader Views (9/06)

Author Diana Estill writes as if we are heading off on an adventure, beginning with a drive on Grand Cayman Island.  The idea grew from a humor column published in “Road and Travel Magazine,” amusing Americans who have either contemplated or actually experienced driving a British car.  Diane issues a reminder to fasten seat belts and hold on, for otherwise, you may get thrown into a serious state—and that is rarely a fun place to be.

The published humor columnist hails from Texas, so many of the experiences she writes about take place or have something to do with life as it is in Texas.  For example, you will laugh and cry upon reading about seeding and cleaning jalapeno peppers for the salsa used so often in Tex-Mex cuisine.  And I did not know the Blue Lacy, named for its gun metal color coat, is the official state dog breed of Texas until I read the chapter called “Designer Dogs.”  Diane’s grandchildren have a Blue Lacy by the name of Tex who buries anything he cannot eat and brushes his own teeth.

Diana is a successful journalist and humor columnist, and this is quite evident after spending some time perusing her book.  I predict you too will be tickled by some of Diana’s work.  Such common items as a digital camera, smoke alarms, and lost luggage will have you smiling.  The sections on green lawn obsession, stretching a dollar, loudly snoring husbands, getting prepared for a possible disaster, and toilet repairs (better known at the Estill home as the Institute of Toiletology) will leave you with high spirits.  I was particularly amused with the “Gender Benders” section and found myself laughing out loud when Diane described a trip she and her husband took to receive a full body massage, a gift given to them by their daughter.  Diana and Jim now claim to suffer from Chronic Massage Phobia.  It is hilarious!

I recommend “Driving on the Wrong Side of the Road” to any adult needing a quick pick-me-up or a good laugh, and that would include just about all of us at one time or another.  Diana Estill’s writing style reminds me of Erma Bombeck, for she finds something humorous in the most mundane of activities.  What a talent!

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