Comments on: Father’s Day al Fresco Fiasco – by Mike Rowe

By: d

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 18:25:04 +0000

Great story. You could write a book of short stories!

By: Margaret

Margaret — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 04:13:47 +0000

Mike As I read this I kept exclaiming to myself that there is no way this story can be true! The naked mannequin first of all, then God’s gift to picnic tables arriving in the front yard. No way!I grew up in Catonsville and remember Agnes. I remember the second day of Agnes being warm and wet. We kids were all outside in our bare feet splashing around as the water was rushing down the street past our house. My sister and I snuck to the bottom of the street where there was a big culvert that ran parallel to Frederick Road toward the city. The water was rushing up out of the culvert and onto the street. It was scary as huge branches went hurtling through the tunnel. My mother had a fit when she found out where we had been. Did you ever see the high water mark on the telephone pole in Ellicott City? It was 18 feet high. Cool memories.

By: Ed Ware

Ed Ware — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 01:21:12 +0000

This reminds me of my Dad. His thing was fixing anything broken. He’d work forever to fix a toaster, a split chair, anything. He was born in 1910 and suffered in his 20s through the great depression. So the goal was to never give up and throw something away. And, I can remember many trips to the automobile “junk yard” to get a part to fix the old car. He didn’t call it recycling but it was indeed and a necessity for survival in Appalachia.

By: Gerald Netto

Gerald Netto — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 02:58:02 +0000

are the daily happenings that make life so spectacular, sometimes the answers come in the future or the present, and only this one point thought to be, I am a Brazilian who loves his TV show and fan of all the things you write here….

Thanks …

By: Deanna Hatfield

Deanna Hatfield — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 01:01:32 +0000

Mike, you are a terrific writer! It seems almost effortless for you to convey so clearly your thoughts and memories to those reading this entertaining story. I can hear your voice as I read along. What a talent you have and I dearly hope you publish a book soon–this story was an appetizer and I want a full four-course meal. You are a gem of a man!

By: Beth Eaton

Beth Eaton — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 12:08:58 +0000

I had a chance to reread this after having first read it about 6 months ago. This is truly one of the best, funniest, and most heartwarming stories about a dad I’ve ever read. It reminds me of growing up with a likewise frugal and no-nonsense dad. He may have not been my favorite person on earth at the time, but looking back on it, and reading this story, it makes me realize how much my dad instilled a mentality of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, and if it’s broke, duct tape it” in me.

Thanks for sharing it.

By: Cyn

Cyn — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 06:42:12 +0000

I have never laughed so hard at a story in my life. Really. “My mother can make Emily Post look like a drunken crack whore” is easily the funniest line I have ever read. The Bible says “ask and you shall receive” and sure enough, Mom got her picnic table. Even if God had to destroy the entire Baltimore area to do it. And truly, what is worse: your brother’s manequin trauma or your father abandoning him for a picnic table? Love those photos and all your hair in those photos. Please, Mike, write a book. And then come read it to me.

By: Michelle Hartwig

Michelle Hartwig — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:46:07 +0000

It is my opinion that memories make the best stories and what a great memory that is. I wish more people today truly understood the wonderful blessing of a ‘picnic table’. I hope that has been and will continue to be only one of many ‘picnic tables’ you will be blessed with in your life. -Thanks for sharing. Michelle

By: Judy Hill (Happy Quilter)

Judy Hill (Happy Quilter) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 22:40:31 +0000

Mike, this is absolutly priceless – what a great story about your family. My dad was cut from the same cloth as your dad and was a wonderful father. Your writing is fantastic and I love reading it. Keep up the good work with mikeroweWORKS and Dirty Jobs. You know I love the show and, of course, its host. As always, WLA

By: NG

NG — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 07:44:47 +0000

Thanks. This was wonderful! I can hear you telling the story and wish I was there for the weirdness, including Molly and the acts of God. I don’t have the privilege of having these types of memories of my father, but I see the worry and gratitude in one of my best friends, Ryan. It makes me grateful to experience a great father through my godchildren: Charlie and Cody. (I read this a few days ago and I am still laughing to myself from time to time and crying just a little at other times.)