Dr. Snodgrass, as Hixie referred to him began the conversation without introductions. He complained about the rental car that (Gimple/Gipple?? )'s garage had supplied him, after the hayseed farmer had struck him from behind on mainstreet. In mid sentence, Derek walked up and slapped Qwilleran on the back and greeted them. Hixie gave Derek a hug and Mildred ignored the "professor " and greeted Derek. Dr. Snodgrass gave Derek a whithering look, and a look that required a tilt of his head. Derek was almost 7 feet tall and the professor stood a scant 5'7" Qwilll would guess. The scene would have been comical, if he had not been in the middle of the tense moment. Derek soon sauntered away and Qwill, before Snodgrass could say anything else, made the introductions. Snodgrass was a history professor interested in local history and geneology. He monopolized the conversation about how hard it was to find reputable geneology information in a rural county until the waitress came for drink and appetizer orders. Mildred ordered white wine and sea scallops with lemon pepper, Qwill ordered Squank water and a bowl of seafood au gratin, Hixie a salad and wine and Dr. Snodgrass ordered scotch and no appetizer. He asked Qwill to explain Squank water.

Corrianne, maybe it is time for Hiie and Qwill to finally get together.

That said, I have always liked Hixie. She has a spirit about her, and there is nothing phony or pretenious in her character. There had been some hints of a possible Qwill - Fran pairing, but then Qwill would always comment about Fran being too aggressive. I just know that I did not like him with Polly for his wife. Although I liked her at first, I felt like she behaved more like his mother than his girlfriend as time went on.

Qwill gave a brief explanation of the mystery vine at Squank Corners and the fresh water found there. Upon his completion of the story, Dr.Snodgrass gave a umph and said these local stories and lore are what is keeping me from writing about the history of this region. Many of the books I have read in an attempt to research the past are full of fanciful ridiculous stories. I was reading a particularly silly one recently called Short and Tall Tales or something of that nature. It should never have been published, he ranted. Hixie and Mildred turned red and Qwilleran stared at the man dumbfounded. He quickly recovered realizing the man was not insulting him to his face, and did not realize Qwill had compiled the stories and edited the book. The man ranted on, and the publisher, some sort of fund called "K", not even a name, everyone around here calls it the "K" fund and some mega rich dolt who cannot figure out a proper use of his money wastes it with such drival. At that Mildred stood up and excused herself, Qwill, if you don't mind I have just relized I have a migrane headache, if you will excuse us Hixie and Dr. Snodgrass, Qwill will drive me home now. Qwill took the cue and stood up and ushered her out, to Hixie's protests. As they left they could hear HIxie explaining to the professor his social faux pau. They did not linger to hear the rest. Qwill, I am still starving, let's go to my condo and I have a hearty beef stew in the crock pot for Arch when he gets home late and some rolls ready for the oven and a peanut butter pie with pecans. There is plenty for all of us. Mildred, we did not have to leave, I could handle that blithering idiot. Mildred threw her head back and laughed. I know, but poor Hixie. She knows how to pick them, doesn't she.

Wallie's mother was in the studio when Qwilleran arrived. Mrs. Todwhistle told him she would go to the house and meke some coffee and put some cinnamon buns in the oven she had ready and then be back for a chat. This gave Qwill time to secure the names and addresses Wallie had mentioned of people who might talk about their big foot experiences. Wallie showed him a turkey he was working on and a coyote. When Mrs. Todwhistle came back, the rolls smelled delicious and the coffee proved to be strong like he liked it. They sat and Qwilleran asked, Wallie, do you ever get calls to pick up animals who have become trapped in attics. Oh sure I do Wallie said. We have the most trouble with racoons. They find a way to get in an attic and it takes an act of congress to keep them out. They are dirty little rascals and their feces can be deadly to children. I get a call about once a week about a racoon in an attic. Especially in the cooler months. Wallie I would like you to do me a favor if you have time. Drop by my condo this week and take a look in a friend's attic for signs of racoons. I sure will Mr. Q, and I will bring a live trap with bait just in case, he added. Mrs. Todwhistle wanted to talk about the tourist, the city folk and the annoyance of to many city folk in Moose County. She recounted how Bent Buckley, a potato farmer who owned a farm near her had been in a wreck in Pickax with an uppity city boy and he had tried to sue the farmer. She recouted that the city boy had been very rude and called Mr. Buckley all sorts of names. It is a sad day in Moose County when a farmer cannot drive the streets of Pickax and deliver potatoes to Tootles Market without being called names by the likes of some uppity city boy. Here Mrs. Q. she added out of breath, have another cinnamon roll. At that, Qwill obliged her and sunk his teeth into the delightfully warm and sweet bread, with icing oozing out of the edges. mmmmmmmm he said, this roll is a culinary delight Mrs. Todwhistle, the best I've had in a long time. Oh good Mr. Q, if you like them I will wrap up the remainder for you to take home. Why thank you Mrs. Todwhistle I would be delighted to take these off your hands, if it is not slighting Wallie. Oh no she said, I have another pan ready to go in the oven whenever he wants them.

Beth, your story keeps getting better and better! I nearly fell off my chair laughing when that snobby Snodgrass started ragging on Qwill's book and the K Fund!! Good for Mildred! Poor Hixie! She has never been lucky in love.

All that writing about food made me hungry! Do you think you could pass some cinnamon buns our way? They are one of my favorites, but I usually bypass them because they are too fattening.

Thank you for your work! I am certain that everyone is enjoying the story. Can't wait for the next installment!

Beth,
This is wonderful! Your characterizations are on-the-button, the action is non-stop, and you even have the cats right! I love that Hixie, Fran and Mildred all figure prominently in the story. They have been my favorites. And Hixie is a great potential companion to Qwill because she knew him and liked him when he was less than penniless! Probably the reason why she is unaffected by his wealth. To her, he is just Qwill. Her affection for the cats shows her warmth and genuineness, even if she seems to bring disaster with her wherever she goes. It is purely unintentional. Dr. Snodgrass is portrayed with such vividness that I can see him as if this were a movie--great job!

By way of corrections, the garage is owned by Scott Gippel, and doesn't Roger MacGilvary work for the Lockmaster Ledger?

And a question: I have heard the expression "at sixes and sevens" in many places (especially in the song "Don't Cry For Me Argentina") and I have never understood what it meant or where it came from. You used it in your story, so maybe you could explain it to me further--just for my own education's sake!

I apologize for taking so long to comment on your story. I have had a very rough week. My beloved cat, Grendel, who was almost 15, passed away this week. Grendel was my version of Yum Yum, and my favorite pet of all time. I was so devastated I could not think. It is so quiet here, since she was quite a talker, and none of my other cats talk. Thanks for this wonderful story. It has helped me with my healing.

Beth, great job! It is frightening coming home and not knowing where you pets are. When I was in graduate school, I had two cats and lived in an apartment building. The cats were allowed. However, the maintenance guy had to come in and repair something in the bathroom when I was not home. He removed a panel that allowed access to the plumbing. I guess when he was not looking the cats went inside the space to check it out. At least, I hope he didn't put them there. What an awful thought! Anyway, when I came home, I figured out what most likely happened and removed the panel. I shook their food box, kept calling them and shining a flashlight so they could find their way back. Since it was an older building, it seemed like that there was a lot of space behind the walls. So all ended well, and they safely back in the apartment within several minutes, none the worse for the wear, just a bit dusty. I made sure I was there for any future repairs while I lived there. I never had any other problems after that or any other incident like that with any of my pets.

Joyce, my sincere sympathy for the loss of your cat. Corrianne my sympathy for the loss of your pets. I could not remember Scott Gibble's last name, thanks Joyce. Roger McGilvray would not be caught dead at the Lockmaster Ledger. Roger is married to Sharon Hanstable, Mildred's daughter. He was Qwill's first long time friend in Pickax, a former History teacher who reports for the Moose County Something now and helps his wife homeschool their children. He has always been afraid of cats. Thank you, Joyce and Corrianne for your encouragement. I will not say if I plan to make Hixie a love interest or not. I have this story planned out and written. You may be in for a big surprise. (Joyce I think you got Roger mixed up due to all the stuff on your mind with the loss of your sweet cat)

He followed this up with a game of bat the ball, he had a crumbled newspaper ball tied to string and he waved it around and they batted it. Afterwards he said, "read" and yumyum climbed in his lap, exhausted and koko sat on the back of his chair. He read aloud from a book on Big Foot in the northwestern United States. After 10 minutes, all three were sound asleep. He awoke to his phone ringing. They were so deeply asleep it did not wake the cats, but he eased himself out of the chair and set yumyum on the couch. The phone call was from Arch Riker. Qwill, I need your help. Roger is out of town. Hixie took a few days off and Jr. is home sick. There is no one to run this newspaper. I send Mildred on a story for me a few minutes ago. Can you come down this afternoon. Even Wilfred is not here. Qwill said, well, Arch if you really need me, I will come down. Well don't put yourself out Arch said, Qwill mumbled something into the phone and got his car keys and left for Pickax. Pickax at noon was abuzz on a crisp Friday in September. There was a line all the way to the street at the bank drive through. No parking was available in front of the post office and there seemed to be more than the average number of shoppers on the sidewalk in front of Lanspeak's Department Store. Qwill parked and sauntered into Lois'. He ordered two sandwiches to go and walked to the newspaper office. He presented one to Arch and said, what can I do to help you avoid disaster old friend. Qwill, if you could drive over to Wildcat this afternoon and interview the farmer who has had four hens stolen and a calf killed in the pasture, I would appreciate. There seems to be a rash of livestock stealing or killing in the area. This is the fourth call we have had. Well, I can do that Arch, give me the address and I will go now, Qwill said, gulping some lukewarm coffee with is sandwich. He handed a sandwich to Arch and left with the farmer's information. He noticed the farmer's last name was Cuddlebrink. Most of Wildcat was populated by Cuddlebrinks or people related to Cuddlebrinks.