Simple Living in the Southwest

(Page 4 of 4)

June/July 2007
By Susan Lahey 
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They’ve also learned not to be fussy. We all revel in visiting people with houses where we can take long, hot showers and watch a movie. But we also love coming back to our cabin where we have to heat our shower water in a soup pot on the stove and use only a couple of gallons apiece; where we have to make the fire and empty the chamber pot, and we read at night by oil lamp or flashlight.

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And we have our five untamed acres of piñon and sagebrush, prickly pears and yucca plants. Hundreds of rabbits live here, and a pack of coyotes lives nearby. We’ve seen bear scat and mountain lion or bobcat tracks. We have human neighbors, but we can’t see them from the house.

At night there is silence and a dark sky full of stars. When the moon is full, it turns the piñon to indigo and the sagebrush to silver and one expects to see mythical creatures dancing outside. We have plans for goats and chickens and horses and a garden. But whether we cultivate the land or just enjoy the wildness of it, I have to say, I think the kids made the right decision.

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  • Gloria 8/9/2008 2:27:08 PM

    Way to go, susan! Having lived off grid in southern Colorado for 3 years, I love what Susan has to say. I know she is living as she says. I would like to recommend www.partsonsale.com for expanding her solar capabilities affordably. Also I would recommend buying an older propane fridge. They can be had for under $500.00 at times. Mine ran on one 5 gallon propane tank per month and allowed the luxury of occasional ice cream (as long as you remember to get dry ice at the grocery store so it is still frozen when you get it home). I have also lived with the sawdust potty. You may be able to get the sawdust for free (we did) from a local sawmill. Just take a rubber garbage can and fill it up once you have permission! I loved not having utility bills hanging over our heads every month! I also loved the blue skies nearly every day, the very visible milky way at night and the way you learn respect for your animals and they for you as you work together to survive. I am currently learning a profession I can do from anywhere so am looking forward to living off grid again in the future.

  • ccm989 6/21/2008 10:40:53 AM

    Wow, what a life story! I think the hardest thing (for me) would be having no privacy. Sometimes you just need to get away from your kids. Mine bicker to distraction. Hope Susan is able to get a few more creature comforts (hot showers, etc.) and with an addition to her home a little more "me time" for the mom. Do Susan's children have friends? Being home schooled seems a little lonely.
    In the past, people used to grow hollyhocks to beautify the outhouse. Wonder if hollyhocks can grow in arid locations with extra irrigation? Good luck, Susan! What an adventure!

  • Saint tim 6/20/2008 9:42:31 PM

    That story was very inspiring. I live in KC currently and live a very simple life green minded life.

    One thing struck me odd. Buying ice every day and driving 30 minutes to a cyber cafe seem to off set some of the simplicity. I kept waiting to read that she upgraded her solar power or something to add a little more power to the home and stop her from having to drive to purchase her other needs.

    Great story all the same.

  • Kelly 10/29/2007 4:46:27 PM

    I don't think the bravest thing she has done is publish this
    article like the last commenter implies! I think it is extremely
    brave to look convention in the face and make a bold move against
    it. Moving her family across country to a more "simple" green yet
    beautiful life all on her own was extremely brave. I would argue
    pioneering even in this world of fast food and electronic gadgets.
    Yes one can make small steps to a better world by choosing canvas
    over plastic but I applaud Susan for taking HUGE STRIDES for a
    greener planet and a better life. It couldn't have been easy!

  • skstewart 9/24/2007 9:20:40 PM

    Living simply can be done on 5 acres in NM or in 5 rooms on
    Manhattan. And, it only takes simple changes. Our family lives in
    an older mobile home on 2.5 acres. We have indoor plumbing but heat
    (and sometimes cook) with wood; we garden; we use products that
    have little packaging; we use canvas bags at the store. Very little
    changes can make a difference for everyone. The bravest thing that
    Susan has done is publish her story in a national magazine. Someone
    CPS working lurking out there will decide that her children are
    being neglected because of the outhouse.

  • Sandra 7/9/2007 1:02:29 AM

    I would love to hear from Susan Lahey. She is living my dream. I
    would like to contact her to talk about how she achieved it. Thanks

  • Karen 6/5/2007 9:40:39 AM

    I was reading Simple Living in the Southwest by Susan Lahey. I was
    wondering how I could contact her.I wish speak to her about her
    article. Any help cntacting her would be greatly appreciated. Thank
    you.

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