It's been a whirlwind of activity around here for Ol' Dutch and Miss Trixie of late and we are as busy as two beavers in an aspen grove. But regardless of the challenges, it appears that we have survived some 12 past years together and now are facing number 13 right in the face. Which is daunting as we all know what they say about 13 of anything. It's bad news. Well unless it's a baker's dozen donuts where you do get that 13th chocolaty goodness for free with the purchased dozen.  Then it's great.  

Ever since time immemorial it seems that the number thirteen has been seen to be unlucky for some reason. Some say it's due to Judas being the thirteenth guest at the Last Supper or the killing of Abel by Cain on the 13th day of the month or the Knights Templar being arrested on Oct. 12, 1307. A sure date to remember if you ever get called to appear on Jeopardy.  

Now I don't know about any of those but even though Judas was a traitor in the end, he did manage to get everyone on the same side of the table for the group picture. And Cain only killed Abel because Abel wasn't able. Which just goes to show you that he should have been packing iron as his later descendants outlined in the Second Amendment to the Constitution. As for the Knights Templar, even though they were all arrested on that date at least they got their gold all moved over to Oak Island before they were imprisoned and killed. So, there is that. 

A lot of people really are superstitious of the number to the point they are really fearful. They really believe that bad luck follows the use of that exact number, some to the point it's crippling to any activity using those same two digits. Being fearful about that number is called triskaidekaphobia. Now I am not sure how you pronounce that word but it's a mouthful no matter how you slice and dice it.  I tried and chipped a tooth so I had to quit. 

And it gets worse as you might rightly expect because the fear of Friday the 13th is called paraskevidekatriaphobia. Don't any of you even attempt that one or you will lose your dentures for sure. That warning is even on the tubes of Polident sold for securing porcelain choppers. 

Ol’ Dutch got to thinking the other day - a dangerous proposition according to Miss Trixie - about how I had never been on a cruise. You know the floating buffets of the seas where people go to eat til they about explode and come home with Legionnaires Disease. But I did get curious enough about it to watch a few videos of other people's experiences and one thing they all mentioned was the lack of a Deck 13 on board the ship. The same holds true for any tall buildings and if you ever rode an elevator, you will notice the buttons dutifully go from 1 to 12 floors then skip to the 14th level.  

I guess that works out okay for people somehow where they park that information in their heads but in reality the floor is there but they just rename it Floor 14.  

Having said all that, I guess Miss Trixie and Ol’ Dutch may need to pass up on year 13 and go right on into the big 14 just for safety’s sake. We wouldn't want anything to jinx our lovely cohabitation of perfect peace or something like that.  

And there is one thing about it, if Ol’ Dutch has miscalculated that time together, I am sure Miss Trixie will correct me as always. 

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.