Alaska Bush Mother: A true account of a young mother facing the challenges of raising a family on an Alaskan homestead

Quote from a son of the author (written at age 12) : "I could be dead right now if it hadent been for my mom." Lots of COLOR photographs! True happenings experienced by a girl who in 1956 marries against her better judgment. Three years and three babies later finds her on a homestead in Alaska, in a rough, makeshift, poorly insulated cabin in wild, primitive surroundings. Her husband spends most of his time visiting with other homesteaders, and repairing their farm machinery--for which he is not paid.

Meanwhile, back at the homestead, the "housewife" carries water; cuts and carries firewood; stuffs paper in cracks in the walls to keep the cold out; scrubs clothes and bedding on an old-fashioned washboard; takes care of all the babies' needs and accidents and illnesses; has close encounters of the scary kind with moose and bear . . . and a few humans.

This young woman has to use every bit of her native intelligence and ingenuity to keep her little brood from freezing to death . . . and to keep food in their bellies.

The incessant workload leads to full-fledged fatigue. Being alone to deal with petrifying situations ushers in deepening depression and despair. Yet somehow she finds the will to keep going for the sake of her children . . . and finally, to resolve the situation.