Looks like a grad student blew th R&R austerity research out of the water

[Wasillaguy]

Originally Posted by wgrr

I will give it a read when I have more time. I scanned through it and it reinforces my desire to move into the Ozark woods, clear a plot, start a garden, and raise some livestock. I did it years ago. No electricity, no phone, no running water, and we built the cabin ourselves. Ever hear of the Foxfire books. We did everything by hand. no power tools were used. Don't know that I could work an adze for hours on end like I did 30 years ago so any log cabin built will be a kit.

It is really rough living independent from our modern infrastructure so, I will have electricity, I will pick a spot with good cell reception. I will dig (drill) a well and have satellite TV. If I loose any of it; so what. I will have rabbits, chickens, hogs, and a few beeves. I have slaughtered, dressed, and cut up all of these animals before. I don't like it but, I will do it to feed the family.

My stepfather taught me a lot about being an Ozark hillbilly. I forgot the mule. He will be used to plough the garden and dig up the potatoes when the time comes.

This kind of living is as close as you will get to austerity in this day and age. Just like in the old days trips to town are still important for coffee and other staples you can't grow for yourselves.

When my girlfriend and I (now my wife) decided to live on the land thirty years ago it was the best years of our lives. Try it. I highly recommend it.

Those Foxfire books were referenced often in my childhood home. You don't have to be a backwoods settler to get a lot of good info from them, on just about any DIY basic living task.