My Year In A Yurt – Book Review
Jen McGeehan’s true story of how she and her husband, Pat, made some very drastic changes in their life to free themselves from debt. Facing foreclosure and bankruptcy they left a beautiful home in Big Bear, California and followed a dream to live on the big island Hawaii.
Having made friends on previous trips to the islands they were offered a chance to caretake some land with very low rent if they were willing to live in a 450 square foot canvas yurt. Jen and Pat took up the offer and agreed to live in the yurt for a year.
Jen, being a horse and goat lover, insisted on bringing her pets with her and thus opened up even more challenges. She learned that moving animals via plane is very challenging. Facing the challenge of the move with the animals Jen’s close relationship with God is stressed throughout the book.
When they arrive and get settled they have to remodel the outside bathroom, get to know there neighbors, and find someone to watch the animals as Jen’s father has a stroke and she has to go back to the mainland several times.
Learning to live in the round in such small quarters took some getting used to. The yurt is one large room and Jen’s work requires that she be on the phone at early hours and Pat sleeps late because his back pain does not allow him good rest in the earlier hours of the night. Pat and Jen are both snorers and each partner figures out unique ways to deal with this annoyance.
There are many other challenges along the way, and I believe you will enjoy sharing them with Jen and Pat as you read the book.
If you are looking for a spiritual and inspirational book about living in Hawaii in a yurt Jen’s book is for you.
It will be available on Amazon April 29th, but Jen have a link through her publisher whereby it can be ordered immediately. That link is:
www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=9781628548808
Jen has developed a three-way partnership with Habitat For Humanity (West Hawaii) and Yurts of Hawaii (Volcano, HI). They are introducing the yurt to the HFH family of dwellings, and the very first one will be on the Big Island. It is “all in the book.” Folks can get on board in a variety of ways – volunteer, donate, etc. Check out: www.yurtsofhawaii.com
