Conrad E. Meinecke

“ Resourcefulness, initiative and a love for things natural—these are the values which may give us a new concept of simple living in a very complicated and mechanical civilization.
You, too, can build a "Cabin-in-the-Woods." Cabin-building is fun; is satisfying, and here you can learn to be a master builder instead of just a helper. Detailed and minute description of every step in building cabin can prove confusing and discouraging to the novice. ”

“ Cabin builder, I say plan wisely. Spend a summer on your site in a tent before you build. Study the air currents that flow down the hills; the prevailing winds; the landscape and vista you want to develop. Do you prefer sunrise to sunset? If you do not enjoy sunrise, then set your cabin so the morning sun will not disturb your sleep. You may enjoy the sunset from your porch or big window. ”

“ We caught porcupine the last resort for the starving Indian when the snow is deep.
When the night grew cold and one blanket was not enough, we moved nearer the embers of our campfire and slept with our backs to the warm coals . . . and slept well.
Most of all Necktie Jim shared with me the joy of living happily out-of-doors. I have found throughout these years a "re-charging" when I return to the woods and an ever present urge to be a part of the outdoors whenever the occasion permits. I learned, too, that nature is rich in abundance and will supply our daily needs. ”

“ Your Cabin-in-the-Woods should always present enough challenge to keep you constantly adding to its loveliness. In this way after each visit you will return to your city life rested, stronger, revived.
It is obvious then that we should take our time months, years, predicating our building on long-term planning.
Take full enjoyment in the building. Take time out to rest. Most city folks seem always to rosin things through. ”

“ My thirty years of outdoor experience and cabin building may, however, save the reader much of the "trial and error" method when he builds his "Cabin-in-the-Woods."
I have attempted most of all to help build an attitude of mind toward the Great Outdoor—an appreciation of simple living. I want to indigence both men and women toward the belief and confidence that they are "master of their destiny" if they can stay within the realm of their own potentialities ”

“ Cabin-Builder, lay your plans boldly—whether you go to the wilds of Africa, to the South Sea Islands, or to your cabin in the woods so long as you go you may find life, liberty and ultimate happiness.
A Cure For Restlessness Your Cabin-in-the-Woods can be a perfect cure for restlessness. If you are restless today, you man be even more restless ten years from now, unless you do something about it now. Life brings increasing cares. ”

“ There really is not much difference in the planning.
First of all, let us not be too concerned about the whole venture. The cost of land need not be prohibitive. The problem of the distance from town can be solved. Building costs, how to get logs, transportation, reforestation, trails and trail markers, gateways and fences, sanitation, lighting, lamps, and many other questions will be discussed in the following pages. If the desire is there and the will to see it through, the building of your Cabin-in-the-Woods will be fun. Resourcefulness and initiative will meet the challenge. ”

“ As the day wears on pastoral scenes replace the picture of the misty morning and through our "picture frame" we see else hillside dotted with lowing cattle, green fields boxed in with rail fences and lined with small trees and bushes telling the story of the toil and accomplishment of our neighboring farmers. An occasional tall elm or maple stand as sentinels in the march of time. ”

“ Tent fly, if ten feet by sixteen feet with air space between fly and tent, will help to keep your tent cool in hot weather; also will provide a four-foot porch. On warm sunny days roll up the canvas walls, let the breezes through and make the hillside part of your living quarters.
Our Window Picture Frame The big window in our cabin resembles a picture frame in which miles of landscape across the valley bring nature's choicest pictures to life. Each hour of the day brings intriguing new vistas, changing lights and shadows. ”

“ This man tramps all over the earth and when he settles down, builds himself a "nest" on the end of a twig as practical and as intriguing as that of the Baltimore oriole. Somehow he has so much—maybe it is because he is always giving it away. ”

“ It is written, too, for the "poor" man, that is, the man not rich in worldly goods but rich in dreams, imagination, resourcefulness and a willingness to make it happen.
Bless those folks who can wrest from the earth its richness, its wealth, its natural resources and find its peace. ”

“ From his artist, linguistic father who at ninety-three could still do a hand-stand, and from his Scotch-Swiss mother who combined a practical, pioneering type of thinking with a high degree of spirituality, he inherited a something in his genes that defies imprisoning in words. He is a. lean, tough specimen illuminated by a quenchless inner fire of spirituality. ”

“ You may be crowded in your work in town, but this should be your rest-cure, your recreating. Don't spoil it by city-driving standards. Set your own pattern. You will be rewarded with increasing peace of mint from year to year. ”

“ Life, after all, need not necessarily be measured in accomplishment of wealth, great achievement, nor by standards of public opinion. If you have a partner who thinks likewise and is not regimented by conventional thinking, then I say, Mr. ”