I am writing this a tad ahead of the actual New Year to meet the deadline for the papers that carry my column. It is always a difficult writing so far ahead, especially around the Holidays. By the time you read this the New Year will be in full swing and hopefully it will be one of great promise for each of you and our Nation too. 

Regardless of your flavor, we will soon have a new President and cabinet and so we can all hope that positive things happen with that, too. There ain't a one of us that cannot use a break from the rising prices, low wages, and constant wars. We go into 2025 and hopefully Ol’ Dutch will remember to use that date on what few checks I write before June or July. That is about how long it takes me to remember what year we are in having lived through so many, as Miss Trixie would say. 

I am also praying that Miss Trixie gets some relief for her plantar fasciitis which as some of you know is painful in your feet if you are affected with it. I am a tad confused however by something I witnessed the other day with her. It seems that Trixie decided to walk over to the new house sans britches. She had just her pajamas on as she walked the 300 feet over there. I am sure she was making a quick trip of it for some reason and was slow going with those sore feet of hers. 

But something happened during that “brief” foray that is nothing short of miraculous. And no prayer was said, no money was given, no promises made, or songs sung. All that occurred was I hollered over at her that workmen were arriving at the gate. Suddenly the sound of angelic beings was heard, lightning flashed, and it appeared that Miss Trixie was healed from her affliction. For she took off for the house at a fast run, her limp gone and her feet totally healed. 

And the most interesting thing about the entire ordeal was that the contractor was not at the gate after all so no credit can be given to him for her healing. So, it just had to be God. But, alas, as with pseudo miracles, her symptoms returned, and she is back to hobbling along like a lame duck. Quack, quack. 

You would think that someone who had shown such miraculous relief from pain would take a cue from that but not Miss Trixie. No siree, I have not seen her out and about the property in her jammies since. Some people just do not believe in modern medicine, I guess. 

Now you might be concerned about her being seen by the neighbors, but we are so far from the road that the jackrabbits wear a backpack and carry a canteen when walking up our driveway. So, there is no danger in being surprised, ever. But it does remind me of the time we went to visit friends and caught the wife taking an “air bath” out on the back deck sans clothing. Which wasn't all bad for Old' Dutch. 

So maybe after it warms back up down here on the farm Miss Trixie will start parading around the property in her bloomers and be healed once and for all.

Kevin Kirkpatrick spends his days fishing, hunting, ATVing, hiking or making people laugh. His email is Kevin@TroutRepublic.com. Additional news can be found at www.troutrepublic.com or on Twitter at TroutRepublic.