Customer Reviews

The Cabin on Sawmill Creek: A Western Waldne

5 star:		(0)
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3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I had mixed emotions over this book. Mary Jo gives great details of how they manage to live off the land in Idaho for only $2500 per year income and as a person always looking to simplify my life and live below my means, I found this helpful and the reason for the 2 stars. This book also gives great descriptions of rural Idaho, as well as an account of building a home with no outside help. She breaks down costs and gives details. However, I came away from reading the book disliking Mary Jo and her husband Stew a lot! She says goodbye to her children and family to take up with a man she has known for only a few months for this dream of a modern day Walden. He kidnapps his own children and ends up in jail for custodial interference. The irresponsibility and self-centeredness that these 2 show is unbelievable and what is more unbelievable, she writes as if she is proud of it. If you can get past the personality, there is some good information.

I had a similar reaction to the Churwell's that the other reviewer voiced. I felt disappointment and confusion in how they handled family responsibilities. I can't imagine this in my own life, but I also understand that people have priorities, and at times family isn't high on the list.

Beyond that, though, the book is interesting. Found a signed copy of the book at a used bookstore, and couldn't resist picking it up. We have friends who are in the same region, doing basically the same thing. As they are essentially incommunicado but for a yearly letter, this provides some insight into what they might be experiencing. We are looking toward living a similar lifestyle, but with more animal husbandry involved. And electricity. I like to flush a real toilet.

The descriptions of interactions with varmints, wildlife, and flora are fascinating. In some spots I wondered why they made the choices they did, but hindsight is always 20/20. Her honesty in that regard was appreciated. Their unfortunate dealings with the forest service provided a sad insight into the cavalier disregard for nature and wildlife.