Macrobiotics Today, March/April 1995, Vol. 35, No. 3
"Tent Living in Idaho" Grace Stanley
Many of us are living in situations where we depend on others for things such as money, food, shelter, and happiness. My lessons in this lifetime have seemed to always be proving to myself that I am capable of taking care of myself. One such experience was provided for me in Northern Idaho in 1988.
My ex-husband, David, and I were burnt out from living in California - being consumers - spending too much and then working hard to pay for it all. We decided to go somewhere and get out of this pattern that wasn't making us happy.
Our New Home; We had just enough money to put a down payment on a 40-acre piece of property in Idaho. We elected to build our own place since David was a builder. In the meantime, we bought an old recycled 16 ft. X 33 ft. Army tent. David built a platform and cut down trees to use as supports. The two of us, with a lot of ingenuity, were able to insert the poles all around the perimeter, including a 33 ft. long ridge pole, to hold up the tent. We tied it down to stakes outside and pulled the ropes tight.
We bought a propane stove to cook on and a wood stove to use as a heat source. We were comfortable inside. We had enough room for our full size bed frame with futon mattress. In one corner we had the propane stove and a double sink with a drain to the outside. There was also room for a kitchen table and couch. We still had plenty of room for the numerous boxes filled with our clothes, grains, beans and sea vegetables.
Summertime and Living Is Easy; It was summer, everything was green, lush and beautiful. We began cutting trees down and turning them into logs by using a special device which hooked on to a chain saw. With the use of a friend's tractor, we pulled the logs to the building site. I peeled the bark off the logs. It was also my job to dig the holes (2 ft. deep) for the pier foundation.
When winter arrived we were not finished building. We stocked up on a few cords of firewood. This is when I learned how to handle a small chainsaw. I helped take the limbs off trees when David cut them down. I also perfected chopping wood with a maul, which is heavier than an ax and more effective in splitting wood small enough to fit into the wood stove. We made arrangements with a neighbor to supply us with water from his well, about 250 ft. away. We bought several hoses and connected them together to fill up the 50 gallon drum that was coated inside with enamel and thereby safe for water storage.
I had been practicing macrobiotics for over ten years at this point and felt very strong. Many local people thought we were crazy to try and live out the winter in the tent. They were used to seeing people come in the summer, but leave for warmer climates once September or October arrived.
Love that Nature; It was wonderful living so close to nature. When the wind blew we could not only hear it but feel and see it flapping the tent sides. I never tired of hearing the roar of Lightning Creek going by just 300 ft. away. It was dark in the tent, but morning made itself felt through the heavy fabric. Sometimes it was the honking of Canadian Geese flying overhead, other times my Siberian Husky would gently "woof" to let me know he was anxious to be let off his rope for his morning constitutional. Eagles were always flying high overhead and shrieking out their distinctive cries. If I got up early enough and was very quiet, I often would see a deer or elk on the dike, approximately 50 ft. from the tent. This dike separated us from the creek.
The first winter was very severe. We received over 5 ft. of snow. Every time it snowed, it would be necessary to get out the snow shovel and clean off the roof and sides of the tent and clear a path around the sides to free the ropes tied to stakes in the ground.
The temperature plummeted to 20 degrees below zero. The winds knocked down power lines. We chopped wood and stoked the stove continuously, but still could not get the temperature above zero in the tent. Fortunately at this point we received an invitation to stay up at a friend's cattle ranch for the duration of the storm. Their water lines promptly broke and the electricity went out, but at least we were warm and among friends. During these days I cooked macrobiotic food and my friends thoroughly enjoyed the diversity. We had a lot of fun! Even though we each cooked entirely differently, we worked harmoniously together to create a dinner with something for everyone. Although I can't say they adopted macrobiotic practices, from this experience, they were very much aware of the health benefits I enjoyed and acknowledged that the food was most tasty. They discovered that macrobiotics wasn't so strange. I like to think that they remember the good times we had and consider incorporating some macrobiotic foods into their diet. Finally, after about five days, we were able to go back home. In the interim our water barrel had frozen solid - 55 gallons of ice.
Whenever possible I cooked on top of the wood stove to conserve propane fuel. There is nothing like the flavor of a longtime simmered stew or soup cooked on a wood stove. Most mornings I would have whole oats, cooked overnight. A trick I learned was to always have a pot of water on the wood stove. This way I never had long to wait for water to boil when I was ready to cook something.
In March David was out of work. We decided he would go to Washington state to seek work and that I would stay in Idaho and care for the homestead. In addition to my Husky, I also had a cat and was raising chickens and turkeys. It was a struggle to keep the chickens and turkeys warm, so I brought them into the tent in a box. Their constant chirping was hard to get used to at first, but later I found it comforting to hear their little voices. It was a joy to watch them huddling together and then quickly dispersing when I filled up their food trays.
Wood Is Essential; My major concern every day was to chop enough wood in the morning to bring inside the tent and stack by the wood stove. Shortly after David left for Washington, I ran out of wood. However, I found a snag pile of smaller trees nearby. This was debris left by logging companies. I went every day with my little 12 in. chain saw and filled the trunk of my Subaru stationwagon.
I also had to keep the water barrel filled. It's not easy to haul 250 ft. of hose through snow during below freezing temperatures and then drain it thoroughly to prevent it from freezing and clogging up.
After bringing all the wood home, I would have to split it. This activity was a great heat producer and I welcomed the warmth it created inside me. I would be sure and get all this done by 3:30 p.m. as the sun began to set at this time.
I worked hard every day and in two months David returned. I learned I could survive alone and take care of the animals who depended on me. They were a constant source of much love, companionship, and entertainment. I was never bored with observing them. This experience has given me the confidence that I can handle most things and cook anywhere.
The next summer we worked on the cabin again, but it wasn't until January - halfway into winter again before we moved into our little cabin. It was wonderful to have large windows and lots of light. However, being so insulated muffled the noises from outside. We could still hear the owls and coyotes every night and the weather raging away, but the experience was not as dynamic - a whole dimension was lost.
We definitely limit our experience of nature by living in houses. I will always remember that time very vividly and know I will never be the same because of it.
Although I loved my little cabin and enjoyed many friendships, I began to miss contact with macrobiotic people. I made the discovery that I wanted something more out of my life. I believe my destiny was not to have children and raise a family. I realized my husband and I were traveling different paths. It was difficult to leave the "homestead" but I didn't feel I had much future there. We drifted apart even though still physically in the same dwelling. My husband made close friends with another woman and even though I was hurt I knew I didn't belong there anymore, and in fact had left long before. I had kept in contact with the macrobiotic community through Macrobiotics Today. One day I received a phone call from the Nova Institute in Estes Park, Colorado. They had called inquiring whether any of my "students" would like to come there to study. Well, seeing as the "students" were nonexistent, I proposed that I come instead as part of their "work-study" plan. I was accepted right away and left within the month.
Thus began one of the happiest experiences of my life. It was like a large family. There were so many hopes and dreams involved. It was a fantastic experience cooking for the staff, students, and guests. We all worked so hard to make it work. I gladly worked six days a week. I met so many interesting students and teachers from all over the country. It was so sad when after I was there for only six months, Nova closed.
I received an offer to come to Phoenix, Arizona as a private cook for a macrobiotic family. I never imagined coming to this part of the country. I knew it was very hot and not much else. But being an adventurous spirit, I jumped at the chance to continue to make my living through macrobiotics. Again, this experience did not last long, only two months. However, it got me to a part of the country I never would have come to otherwise. I had made some friends, doing a twice monthly dinner/lecture with David Jackson.
My friends offered to let me stay with them until I found a place to rent. It didn't take long. I put some flyers out at the local co-op. I did Macro Specials there once a week. Slowly, I developed a clientele who needed "meals." Thus my situation as it now stands developed into a business of cooking for others, twice a week. It is very rewarding and challenging to keep the food versatile and balanced in this extreme environment. I am always learning and improving, meeting new people, as older clients start cooking for themselves. It is self renewing and I am very grateful for my past experiences that brought me to this present awareness. I look forward to the future with enthusiasm and appreciation.
End of Article
Grace Stanley lives in Tempe, Arizona where she prepares Gracefull Meals twice a week and offers cooking classes.
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