Whether someone shapes his environment or is shaped by it has been argued for years. In the case of Polly Duncan, she was already a prissy, prim, proper young woman when she came to Moose County as a new bride with her husband Bob who was tragically killed early in their marriage fighting a barn fire. We know that Polly was a New Englander, her father was Orville, a Shakespeare scholar and she has two brothers and two sisters. No mention, direct or indirect, is ever made of her mother. It's as if the woman never existed, and that may be a hint as to why Polly remained in Moose County. Perhaps she found comfort and solace there and not in the bosom of her family.

To fully understand Polly you have to understand her environment, Moose County. Moose county is a land of contrasts. The residents like to say that it's 400 miles north of everywhere and that's not an exaggeration. The northern boundry of the county is a lakeshore with sand dunes several hundred feet high in some places. The lake is 100 miles across, Canada's on the other side. Moose County has thick, lush forests, acres of flat farmland, a river that gently meanders until it rushes through a gorge. It's not unusual for someone driving a beat up old pick up to raise a hand in greeting to someone driving an expensive luxury car. Though they may not mix socially, their families have known each other for generations. The county seat is Pickax, population 3000. Many of the residents are desendants of the original settlers who made fortunes in mining, lumber, shipbuilding. Everyone knows everyone else and their family histories. Rather than gossip they share information, there are no secrets.

To Be Continued......

When we first meet Polly, the head librarian at the Pickax library, she's been invited to dinner by a fellow named James MacIntosh Qwilleran or Qwill, who's been in Pickax only a year and a half. Qwill can be charming and he turned it on for Polly as he was intrigued by her love of the written word and her soothing yet stimulating voice.

Qwill, described by his best friend Arch Riker as a loveable slob, who probably hasn't had new clothes except for shorts and socks in five years, his ties have holes, he drives a rattle trap used car and lives in an apartment over a garage. Why you ask would a prim proper middle aged lady accept an invitation from someone like that!? Because Polly thinks it necessary to visit the beauty shop only a couple times a year for a haircut, she too drives a used car thinking a newer one frivilous, she likes variety in her wardrobe so her three suits are in different shades of gray and she wears a white blouse to punch it up a bit and being a sensible woman her shoes are black orthopedic lace ups, she wouldn't be caught dead wearing jewelery. One can only imagine what her undergarmets look like! Surely Polly isn't influenced by Qwill being the richest person in the north central United States having inherited millions or billions, that his apartment belongs to his three story mansion filled with breath taking antiques that museums would kill for. Polly doesn't really know Qwill well, he's been in Pickax only a year and a half and she is polite but reserved; however, Qwill knows Shakespeare, is an award winning, world traveled journalist and is a voracious reader. Oh, and he thinks his cat is psychic.

To Be Continued

Good stuff Sue!