Homesteading in the Last Best West

Book excerpt: THE AUTHOR TOOK HER GRANDFATHER JB HANSEN’S memoir, written before his death in the mid sixties, and by augmenting it with a variety of interesting primary sources, and her own personal comments, she brings new life to the realities of southeastern Saskatchewan homesteading in the Rural Municipality of Souris Valley # 7 in the first half of the twentieth century. This will give readers of today a better understanding of everyday life in those homesteading days. Many examples show changes in the forms of travel, cost of living, farming methods, food preparation and daily activities all to help us understand this history and serve to inspire us in dealing with the problems of our day. Their personal stories show they found ways to thrive and have good times in spite of the challenges of the times.