About Your Father: Birthday Present Pre-order

I just got off the phone with my mother, who is celebrating her 82nd birthday today by playing cards in the lobby of a Comfort Inn somewhere with my father and youngest brother. Last night, she slept for approximately half-an-hour on the “auto-train,” which my father insisted on taking from Baltimore, so that he can have his car in West Palm, while visiting my other brother. I feel sorry for my mother, and somewhat guilty for not having an address to send her flowers, or some other token of my affection. So I did the only thing I could do Read More

Mom Called – The Bonus Story

A hotel room in Kansas City. 8:44am. Mike Rowe, late for a breakfast meeting, emerges from his shower to answer a phone that won’t stop ringing… Me: Hello? Mom: Michael, it’s your mother. Me: Your Majesty! How may I assist you today? Mom: I have a few questions. Me: Shoot. Mom: I just went to the new page where people can preorder my book. Me: Do you like it? Mom: Yes, but I have a few suggestions. Me: Crap. Mom: Language, Michael. Me: How many suggestions? Mom: I’ll send you a list. Me: Great. Anything else? I’ve got a roomful Read More