The Journey Begins

Recently my students and I began a journey to Cross Creek. Our journey began with my desire to expose my students to classical literature - I could think of no better book than The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings (not to mention the fact that there were plenty of copies available for my students to use).  Before even mentioning such a lengthy novel to my students, I began background research.  The only thing I knew about The Yearling is that it was a popular book to Florida natives (of which I am not) and had something to do with Cross Creek, FL... my favorite steakhouse is named after that place.

With the help of a friend and information from a First Coast Scholars symposium - I learned a LOT!

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings was a Yankee who fell in love with the wild backwoods of Florida in the early 1900's.  I like to imagine she was an author much like me, except she was very successful and productive and I am just a procrastinator.  I learned that writing was a chore and did not come easy for her, nor does it come easy for me.  She did, however, master it!  The Yearling won the Pulitzer Prize in 1939.  This was later followed by Cross Creek which was sort of like an autobiography of her time living in Cross Creek.  Again - I have not fully read either book as of this date!!  I have read excerpts from Cross Creek, particularly Hyacinth Drift, in which she took a boat trip down the St. John's River.  This was, in my opinion, an attempt of Rawlings to renew herself - to find herself again.  I cannot tell you how many times I feel that need for renewal - to find myself again.  I am on a journey - to read The Yearling, to read Cross Creek, and to visit the home of this incredible woman who braved the backwoods of Florida.