• Archive
• This Week's Column

Reality Check readers rule!

 From the first week that the Advance started printing your columns, I now actually look for this paper on my steps from the neighbor girl.  I always did glance through it, but sometimes a few days late. 

Now I look for it because of you.  Your writing is hysterical, or at least it has has me laughing hysterically.   The "War" column reminds me of the writings of Dave Barry ... you should syndicate. Thanks so much for the best laughs of my week.

Sharon Zils

 

---

This really isn’t a “letter to the editor” so to speak, but I didn’t know where to direct it.  Mike Taylor’s article in Reality Check this past week, “When it comes to shopping, men are dumb.  This is news?”, was the most hilarious article I have read in any periodical so far this holiday season.  I don’t know if I’ve missed his articles in the past or if he is a new contributor, but I’d like to see more from this author!

Sincerely,
Sherry Miedema
Jenison, MI

 

---

I normally just skim over the advance collecting only bits of info I need to know about what is going on in the community. But I decided to read you article “At this rate, will I see another Christmas?” I started reading it to myself and was cracking up!

My daughter wanted to know what I was laughing about so I continued reading it out loud. There were times I couldn’t even read because I was laughing so hard I couldn’t breathe and I had tears running down my face! Thanks for the laugh. I needed it!

Linda Koster
Ps. I have to go re-apply my make up now.

 

---

I would just like to thank you for sharing your exasperating story in this week's Advance newspaper.  Your story was so well written, so entertaining, and so ... charmingly self-deprecating.  

Although I am very sorry that it was at your expense, I thank you for bringing some much-needed laughter to my long, comparatively dry (LOL) summer.  I am grateful to God and your guardian angel for sparing you long enough to bring joy to our community!
 
Here's hoping the rest of your summer is both safe and fun!!  God bless you!

Annisa 

 

---

Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the piece you wrote that I found in the Grand Valley Advance. 

There must have been a higher power urging me to read this, because I was running late this morning and I was just about ready to fold up the paper and put it in the recycle bin when the title caught my attention.  I read the first few paragraphs and then brought the paper with me so I could finish it later. 

We too were pretty “poor” when it came to new clothes and all of the other things that separated us from the “in crowd”.  I knew we would never be part of the upper class and I am not sure at what point it didn’t matter so much any more.

At any rate, it was well written and well received.  Are you a regular contributor to the Advance?  If you are and I have missed your column than I truly am sorry to not have recognized your name.  Rest assured, I will look for it in the future. 

Dorothy Smith

 

---

Thank you so much for all the laughs I get from reading your column in the Rockford/Cedar Springs Advance.  Keep those columns coming, please!  Your work rivals Dave Barry and I would buy your book. 

Also, my husband appreciated your taking your rightful place at the head of the food chain and not apologizing for eating Bambi, we both enjoy eating wild game.  It is disturbing when PETA forgets that God put animals on earth for our food, of course Mrs. Taylor's Siamese mousers, Kipper and the like being the exception although sometimes I wonder who made that decision.  Just kidding.  

Anyway, keep up the good work and consider writing that book.  Dedicate the first one to your wife, I have a feeling she's a wonderful woman.

Kathy B. 

 

---

Hello Mike,
Just wanted to tell you how much we have been enjoying your column at our house. You and I are about the same age and have the same sense of humor.

Your observations about American Idol are right on the money! Couldn't agree more.

Keep up the good work,

Greg Herman
Rockford, MI

 

---

We love your articles in the Advance Newspaper. Please don't accept the job at the American Tasting Institute if offered.  Mick and I will miss your humor.

Mick Noonan
Arlynn Smith

 

---

I must tell you that this week your column was so darn funny that I had to stop several times to wipe away the tears of laughter.  I brought it into work for all of those people who either live in areas who do not receive the Advance or for anyone who may have missed it. 

Believe me you are a huge hit. 

It appears that one of the women in the office knows you because she lives in Lakeview (Debbie and John Hallock) – small world eh?

 

---

Just when you start to depend on someone, phttt! away he goes. I got my Advance today fully expecting to get a belly laugh out of an article written by some half a--ed guy named Mike Taylor.

Started through, throwing away pages as I went because I didn't see his by line on any of them and when I got through all I had was a pile of paper on the floor and no article. Now those are important to me because I save them for picking up doggy doo, etc. but nope, nothin. Instead what do I find? A thing about a bunch of old guys who dance or whatever.

I didn't even save this one for my usual activity threw the whole darn thing out. If I didn't have a free subscription I would demand my money back. May anyway. Where the heck were you?
 
Ed Cavanaugh

 

---

We really like Mike Taylor's articles in the Advance.  It would be very enjoyable to have his column appear weekly.

A. Smith
M. Noonan
Jenison, MI

 

---

Well you did it again.   A great article in this week’s Advance.   Thanks!

Peggy Ford

 

---

Just wanted to let you know how much I love your articles. I laughed so hard when you ended your article by saying, "without the tape my hands keep slipping off the desk to hang limply by my side.”

I love your humor.
 
Thanks again for entertaining all of us:)

Sincerely,
Donna

 

---

I enjoy reading your article each time they appear in the Advance. You have a real talent for capturing an idea and making it come alive with words. I love the humor focus of the topics. It brings it alive and enables me to identify many times with the situation as it also applies in real life. It takes away the sting of otherwise pesky, real problems. You make me smile and many times laugh.
 
I don't think you will ever have trouble making a living as a "journalist". I am sure there are many more out there who tell you the same thing. And of course, I know you know that.
 
Great writing in an otherwise serious world!
 
Sincerely,
 
Andy Patin

 

---

“An epileptic ferret on crack”? --- Had tears in my eyes!!!

The entire article about house painting was great Mike!!!  

I can relate to the experience. Thanks for brightening a day.

 Well done.

James W. De Lange
Chief Building Official
City of Wyoming, MI.
 
 

---

You are hysterical(ly funny, that is!) Had the Advance printed your entire column (oh, the halcyon days of paid proofreaders who would, one hopes, catch such a glitch, but then even the NYT reads like an un-proofed undergrad paper at times) ~pause, same sentence~ I would never have discovered your humor-laden site replete with more laughs.

Though I did love the squirrel article enormously, I may have to drop it down a few notches from its earlier "fave" status. It reminded me of the time one set of parents, in an uncharacteristic Dutch extravaganza, gave us a non-b'day, non-xmas gift to tie between two trees to rid ourselves of squirrels.

My husband thought it was actually a gym training them for Cirque du Soleil by attracting every county squirrel. They in turn could watch us fall upon the dropping black walnut squish as we tried to chase them.
 
Before I pass out (my own home office is spending its first summer on the sun porch, southern and western exposure which the a/c doesn't seem to reach) may I thank you for your recent contribution and many others preceding! Whatta hoot!

Vicki L. Hill

 

---

Last week your column was once again missing from my edition of the Advance (and this was after the nice e-mail I received back from them).  Needless to say I was a little miffed and then the very next day our Advance carrier came to collect. 

I gave him the money and told him not to bother to deliver the paper any more since the editor chooses to ignore my requests or some stupid thing like that.  The poor kid just looked at me like I had grown horns and my husband called me a witch. 

I felt bad but this all could have been avoided if the editor would delete some of the non-stop religious columns and carried yours.

Dorothy (The Wicked Witch of Jenison)

PS: As luck would have it, my friend Sherry (who also happens to love your column and lives in Jenison) called to tell me your column was in this week’s edition.  I am going to have to find this poor kid and give him some sort of combat pay.  I am going to the website and reading your column because I sure could use a good laugh today. 

 

---

I know you have no idea who I am but I just want to say love, love, love your work.  You have given me many chuckles over the last few weeks (Sorry not sure when you started writing for the Advance but I just started noticing it - I know that's probly not the nicest compliment, please don't be offended - I just don't always read the paper)
 
My first article I read was your very unfortunate dip in the Lake - and I'm sorry you had me rolling.  I have found much enjoyment (sorry again) at hearing how I am not the only one in life that seems to have a constant black cloud following me.  But all the same my life is good and blessed with my 4 wonderful, healthy children and a great husband - and I wouldn't have it any other way, it always works out in the end (although it usually costs me money)
 
I just wanted to take a second and say - Great Job!! I have really enjoyed your humor and your style.  Thank you for using your talents - you are definitely blessed!
 
Have a great holiday weekend!
 
Vicki Wierenga
Allendale, MI