Moving Back to the City

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A summer picnic at the old home in the wilderness.
A summer picnic at the old home in the wilderness.
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Our new home near Shushwap Lake after moving back to the city.
Our new home near Shushwap Lake after moving back to the city.
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The washing machine was a true revelation.
The washing machine was a true revelation.
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Natalia in the living room, looking contemplative.
Natalia in the living room, looking contemplative.
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Taking one last view before moving.
Taking one last view before moving.
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Natalia and Ben helping out in the garden at the old house.
Natalia and Ben helping out in the garden at the old house.
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Deanna in the root cellar in the bush, taking stock of what to cook for the evening.
Deanna in the root cellar in the bush, taking stock of what to cook for the evening.
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Ben using a much simpler approach to obtaining dinner.
Ben using a much simpler approach to obtaining dinner.
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Taking care of chores, such as building a stockpile of wood for the long winters, was a constant occupation in the old house.
Taking care of chores, such as building a stockpile of wood for the long winters, was a constant occupation in the old house.
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Now the phone vies for more and more of our time.
Now the phone vies for more and more of our time.

In August 1991, Deanna Kawatski told MOTHER EARTH NEWS the remarkable story of her family’s homestead in Northwest British Columbia. Three miles from the nearest road and one hundred from the nearest town, she married, had two children, and lived the life we’ve only dreamed of. Now she offers an equally moving sequel, in which she details how Paradise was lost… and found again amid the bustle of an urban community.


For 13 years we had been leading a self-reliant lifestyle
deep in the Coast Mountains of northern British Columbia,
growing all of our own food and living in almost complete

  • Published on Apr 1, 1994
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