A Naturalist's Cabin: Constructing a Dream;

From rear cover notes: "...A mirror-surfaced, rustic pond in northern Missouri attracted Cathy Johnson - as it did timid white-tailed deer, plump racoons, and iridescent blue dragonflies - during the dusty drought of one hot Midwest summer. Scraping together savings and courage, she and her husband, Harris, bought the pond and eighteen acres that contained six distinct habitats for wildlife and flora, including a glacial creek, a velvety meadow, and a deep, quiet old-growth woods. In this lushly told account, Cathy Johnson introduces us to the creatures and indigenous growth of the Ozark foothills; then to her decision to raise a cabin where she could retreat to observe and savor this glorious country. Designing a dwelling that worked with the landscape, not against it, Cathy was able to erect an airy sunlit little Walden - and her triumph is an inspiration to all who see both adventure and beauty in our natural landscape. Filled with fascinating geology and natural history, and intriguing anecdotes about the land and our place in it, A Naturalist's Cabin fills our heads with visions, hopes, and dreams...."