Anyone that has ever worked can recall first days on the job and probably most of them were filled with some trepidation about doing it right.
This holds true especially for jobs that require a whole new job skill-set level that a person has not ever done before.
I can recall my first day working for the railroad and let me tell you, the sheer size of the locomotives not to mention the noise involved was nothing short of intimidating.
Like most things, however, repetition brings familiarity and soon boredom which can lead to carelessness which in railroading can lead to catastrophe.
Oftentimes I will ask a young looking doctor or nurse “Have you ever done this before?” and although that may seem rude, wrong legs have been cut off by mistakes due to a lack of training or, boredom from too much familiarity. It’s a real Catch-22, there.
Not all jobs are that unforgiving of course and a misspelling on a form or a wrong number or two generally can be corrected fairly easily and without costs.
Recently Miss Trixie dragged me over to a nearby town to do laundry, a questionable necessity for a long time bachelor, but nonetheless in the plan for the day.
While there Trixie decided to visit the nearest big box store and Ol’ Dutch, ever the picture of cheapness, asked her to see if they had a haircut joint inside.
She soon called with good news and I was shortly seated in the chair for the shearing of the locks often put off too long, like in this case.  
The sheep shearer seemed like a nice enough lady and was busy draping me for shearing when Miss Trixie appeared to offer her expert opinion on the matter.
Now Ol’ Dutch has long been getting his haircut and doing so way before Miss Trixie was a thought in her mom and daddy’s brains.
But she feels a need to help Ol’ Dutch with about everything and soon was telling me the stylist’s name, family history, past illnesses, food habits and other unwanted and unneeded information. She has yet to learn that the last thing a man needs is more information as there is just so much room in the box he keeps such things in.
Lastly I was informed that this was Cindy’s first day on the job at which point my pulse quickened, my heart skipped a beat and I looked into the mirror to see what my hair looked like before she started. I knew it was not long for this world and wanted at least a memory to keep forever.
Somehow Miss Trixie, the ever present provider of mountains of information, felt this tiny bit of information was not needed by Ol’ Dutch BEFORE coming into the store and being strapped into the chair.
So there I remained, torn between feelings of fight or flee and finally reduced to those of feeling sorry for the poor woman so I hunkered down expecting the worst.
After I was released back into society, Miss Trixie had a long conversation with Cindy while I waited in the truck and found out she had not had any clients which I attribute to the local social media alerting all loved ones of her beginner work status thereby avoiding disasters.
And that is how Ol’ Dutch ended up with a 70s haircut requisite with no tapering or layering as is the usual today. Miss Trixie, however, says it looks fantastic. But, what does she know? She is blinded by love. I say it looks okay -- with a hat on.

Kevin Kirkpatrick and his Yorkie, Cooper, fish, hunt, ATV or hike daily. His email is [email protected]. Additional news can be found at www.troutrepublic.com or on Twitter at TroutRepublic.