This past weekend Ol’ Dutch and Miss Trixie had the privilege of celebrating Granddaughter #2’s birthday with her. The actual day is not until June 10, but we feared we might be in Colorado by then and wanted to be sure and have a party. It just so happens that she and Ol’ Dutch share the same birthday, so she is always doubly excited to celebrate with us as she gets her presents and mine, too. Being 11 years old is a great time in life and she is living large. 

Miss Trixie worked her shopping magic once again and we were able to get a basketball goal and baseball batting net and popup tee for a great price. Yes, you heard right. Two different sports items. For you see this little girl was gifted with not only brains and good looks from Ol’ Dutch but also athletic ability. So, our time in Texas is filled with soccer games, fastpitch softball games and soon basketball tournaments. It's exciting and fun to watch, albeit there is a lot of driving to do. Add to that Grand #1 with her volleyball and barrel racing and we are busy as a beaver in dam-building season. 

So, celebrate we did. Trixie scored 34 pounds of live Louisiana crawfish, Son #1 Bub’s, boiled up in a big pot on the driveway. What ensued was nothing short of insanity. Boiled and seasoned crawfish, sausage, mushrooms and corn on the cob were soon dumped on the table, and those two little girls dove into them like they had seen no food for weeks. I could not believe my eyes at the amounts those two consumed. 

I got to thinking about that -- a dangerous proposition according to Miss Trixie – and decided that since they were born in Texas maybe they love crawfish consumption because of their birthplace. Texas. Because down here people chase, net, scoop or purchase vast quantities of the pinching crustaceans to boil and eat at almost every backyard celebration. And they all seem to have the same plan when eating said pinchers too. For you see the corn and sausage and mushrooms are evidently just for decoration as no one touches them. Instead, the veteran consumers focus on eating as many crawling boiled mud bugs as possible. 

I recall my first time I went with Bubs to a local Crawfish Emporium. He and about five of his friends met there and destroyed almost 100 pounds of those crawlies and yes, left a pile of corn and sausage on the table when we left. Those boys could flat out eat those flipping pinchers. 

Miss Trixie and I are hung up in Texas due to an insurance claim on the old Conestoga and some issues with the new house porch so will be delayed in arriving in Colorful Colorado for the season. And being in Texas so late reminded Ol’ Dutch just exactly why I spend all summer in the mountainous heights as the heat is already oppressive. I worked outside my entire life in Kansas, cold and hot and windy, and I decided when I retired to never be either once I retired. So having stumbled upon – or maybe over – Miss Trixie and her penchant for adventure, I have been fortunate enough to live in great weather most of the time. 

I realize that some people cannot do that, and my sympathies go out to each and every one of you who cannot. But if you are able to break away from your lawn care, grand kids, doctors’ appointments, and general sedentary lifestyle, get on the road and enjoy some cool Colorado air with us. But if not, get yourself some mudbugs and a big pot and eat those little buggers to your heart's content. It may be hot, but you don't have to be miserable.  

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.