The delightful Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings provides her readers with a deep-dish slice of life in a southern community that, although imperfect, is a network of wonderful people. At the same time, Rawlings' insights into nature, its seasons, rhythms and anomalies, are acute, sensitive and heart-warming. This is a complex woman who hunts, fishes and explores with the strongest of men, and who decorates her home, cooks, entertains, writes, and enjoys the luxuries of fine living, albeit in a shabby old farmhouse.

Rawlings takes her readers inside the community at Cross Creek to meet the powerfully wise Martha Mickens and her family. She tenderly acquaints us with Old Boss Brice, Tom Glisson and all her neighbors, as well as her servants, her friends and acquaintances with whom she shares love, camradery, disputes and lawsuits. Much of Rawlings' tales center on her black servants who come and go, many of whom she grows to love. She shares with her readers her troubles and misunderstandings, readily admitting when she has been wrong, and firmly standing for what she believes is right. She is a firm and generous employer whose heart is softer than she might let on.

In this memoir, we share Rawlings' adventures on hunting trips, as well as her reflections on animals and her love of nature. An avid hunter and cook, she describes some surprising dishes she has prepared and for which some of the recipes are included.

She shares her involvement with, and generosity toward the "Negroes" who come and go in her life, including one who is jailed for a shooting, one who is mentally ill, several who disappoint her by being irresponsible and childlike, and some whom she grew to love, like Martha. During this interesting period of history, black southern slaves have only recently gained their freedom and Rawlings has a sharp insight into their dependence and inability to solve the newly-presented "puzzles" of living. In addition, she is not revolted by the poverty she sees around her but instead, takes a rather analytical view and helps where and when she can.

Her love and appreciation of the beauty of nature and life is apparent throughout her book. Rawlings thinks beyond the biases of her era and contemplates the meaning and nature of human life. She is a steward of the earth, with a consciousness of one's small part while we are here. This is a lovely story and a great way to experience a bit of history, as well as the beauty of Florida's Alachua County.