I like Beth Powning's work a lot. I suppose that's partly because we're of similar age, class and culture, but more than that, I think she has a similar outlook to me on how to best live life . . . or rather, she has an outlook that I wish I had. She's really done pretty well in life with a successful writing career (although not as successful as she would have hoped, I guess), a loving family (although not without family sadness) and a solid feeling of community and geographic connection. Another of my favourite authors, Elizabeth Hay, declared that 'place is everything' in a novel, and it's clear that Beth Powning takes a similar view. I suppose in Canada you can't avoid the powerful impact of climate & geography on your life, but Beth Powning tells us how she is able to embrace it. The other main aspect of this memoir is that it covers a period up to the departure of Beth's son from the household. The memoir addresses Beth's relationship with her son and her feelings of loss as the son separates from his family, at the same time as knowing that such separation is not only inevitable but desirable. This is also an issue for me in my family, so I found Beth's take on this issue to be valuable. Finally, and related to the son's departure, is Beth's struggle to establish her own identity both as a paid worker and as a creative person in a household full of creativity. I found this material too, to be insightful. I've read all of Beth Powning's extant works now. I hear she has another gestating and I hope it comes to fruition soon. ( )