Jewells of Thought

I’m not sure when we started to find “American Pickers” on the TV screens. It began only on our vacations, because we didn’t have cable. Then in the last couple of years I have added a ‘Frndly Tv’ subscription and our air channels have aired past shows.

This didn’t just become a Dad and me fascination. My Mom and brother also have enjoyed watching this show. So just literally a few minutes ago it kind of caught me off guard to get the latest article from “The Western Journal.” Frank Fritz has just passed away after having had a stroke back in 2022. He hasn’t been on the show for a while probably because of that very reason.

Mike Wolfe his Co-Host and friend went over their show statistics. They had 14 years and 25 seasons ending up with 376 episodes of this amazing whirlwind of a show. Some of those episodes were absolute magic as a historian to watch and observe.

Plus Mom and I have both stated that Frank reminded us a lot of Uncle Mike. Just looking at him I could totally mistake him for my Uncle the resemblance is just uncanny with him at a younger age. The photo above is the one that most reminds me of Frank and vice versa.

Today is October 1st so this means Friday will be 12 years since he died. The good thing is that Selena is also 12 years old and I will be picking her up for our weekend with her. How amazing is that… God’s timing when I think about her coming into the world only three months before he died. Then in the 3 days I get to spend time with my beautiful niece who has some of her great-uncle’s sweet melodic laughter to refresh and balm our weary souls.

Funny when I first saw this article the date and Frank didn’t initially make me think of Uncle Mike until I really began to think about watching this fun show. Frank was 60 years old; Uncle Mike died before turning 52 a life short lived. However, God knew that was going to happen and He had already sent us this beautiful bundle of joy that brings us so much laughter and joy.

Do you get emotionally tied to shows? There was something special about these two friends looking at junk and finding treasures, sometimes amazing historical treasure troves. It’s also fun to watch Mike and his younger brother picking too though. The journey of the find is what was the neat and sometimes truly incredible part of the show.