Dear Mad'm

by Stella Walthall Patterson

Spend a delightful evening enthralled by the true and captivating experiences of this city lady who at age 80 spent one full year on her mountain mining claim and faced the challenges of a vastly different life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Memoir, History, Book Club, Biography, Nature

261 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1956

Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stella Patterson has restored my dwindling hope in fulfilling my hermit-dream (now over 2 decades in and still wished for).

Here's a lady, who at the ripe young age of 80, decides to pull up stakes in the city and go live in a remote cabin near the Klamath river in northern California...in the late 1940's...all because she's always wanted to...and her doctor said she had "young legs".

Patterson is a contemporary of Laura Ingalls Wilder, born right after the Civil War in Oakland, CA, who lived a life of city luxury and acquired a formal education. One who defied all the conventional wisdom of what is expected to happen to an elderly woman in the last years of her life, and just pulled up stakes and made her dream a reality until her death in 1955 (just a few weeks before the publication of this book). This collection of heart-warming, funny and touching stories centers on those last years of her life; the challenges from her first year of living remotely, the friends she made (both human and otherwise), and the strength and joy that comes from helping others is all magnified under Patterson's gentle pen.

I had happened to pick this book up at the library at the same time as The Egg and I by Betty MacDonald. While both books have a similar plot (city-girl-meets-the-country-life) and both were published around the same time, there all similarities end. MacDonald's "humor" is bitter and bigoted. Patterson's is warm and accepting. If you're deciding between the two books, there's really no choice as to which is superior in every comfort-book way.

Stella is my new, old hero, and I want to grow up to be just like her.

[JoAnn Hallum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a charming book. Funny, full of flowers…what else do you want? Ok fine, there’s adventures too.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The copy I read had passed through the hands of at least 5 women, most of whom handed it on to someone who reminded them of the author. While I had a few adventures that qualified, most of them happened when I was in my 20's, not in my 80's.

Stella Patterson's memoir of a year in her life at a mining cabin 11 miles outside of Happy Camp in the 1950's has a real ring of truth to it. Her optimism, joy in her surroundings, and caring neighbors made me feel good about the world. Maybe that is why I gave it so many stars.

[Gloria Piper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stella Walthall Patterson lived from 1866 to 1956, so we get some idea of the wilderness and mining in the 1950s. That's because at age 80, she decides to move into the wilderness to live a life of solitude, independence, and freedom. Her friends and relatives in San Francisco urge her to reconsider this wild scheme. I mean, at her age! So she tells them she will try it for a year. If it doesn't work out, she will return to San Francisco to be cared for by those who love her.

In April she moves into a cabin on a mining claim in the Siskiyou Mountains near Happy Camp. After she experiences a week of solitude, a couple of young miners appear with a view to help her cope. She calls them Dearsir and Up'nUp. In cheerful retaliation they call her Dear Mad'm. All around the names stick, and she eventually forms relationships throughout the year with other beings, human and nonhuman. Her time in the mountains is full of adventure, pleasant or exasperating and dangerous. We delight in her love of the wilderness, its beauty and bounty. And we appreciate how she cares for friends and neighbors. We may not share all her opinions, but they add humor to her story, which is told in a conversational tone.

When her year of independence and freedom is up, circumstances demand that her decision to stay or return to the city is not to be taken lightly. Despite the trials of her wilderness year, we're hoping she'll stay. Here is a quick and entertaining read that you can treasure.

[Gina House · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I never thought that I would love a book about an 80-year-old woman spending a year in the California mountains on a mining property. But, omg, I did!

I think I was hesitant to read this out-of-the-ordinary book/memoir because I would definitely not choose this life for myself. I am hopeless at camping, "roughing" it, peeing outdoors and dealing with rats in a barely livable rustic cabin.

But, I'm so glad that I took a chance and listened to members of the Gladys Taber Society Facebook group who suggested this book. It's got the look and feel of a GT book with black and white illustrations, everyday activities, animals, and mentions of food and cooking.

When I discovered that this book (published in 1956) was described as 'refreshing' and an 'uncommon pleasure' to read, they were right! I laughed, I sympathized, I found myself on the edge of my seat, and I was surprisingly touched by Dear Mad'm.

If you merge one of Gladys Taber's Stillmeadow books with The Diary of a Provincial Lady, you'll have a better idea of the type of book this is. I just adored it and I would definitely read it again.

Highly recommended!

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book while on vacation in Humboldt county on the north coast. I have been up in that part of the country, in particular, Yreka and have been west of there further into the mountains. Though I have never been to Happy Camp, it is quite isolated and not exactly living for the city minded or spoiled. My husband is a Minerals administrator with the USFS and had dealings with mining activity in the area and he says that it is rough living in Happy Camp. There are quite a few people into drugs and life is hard, much different than what it was like in the 1950's. I actually read this when I first bought it, 20 years ago and it is just as good as I remember it. I love the history and folklore of that area, never boring though sad that the pot and drug culture has taken over so much in some of these mountain towns.

[Dianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up after seeing it in a bookstore on a recent visit to a national park, having previously heard nothing of it.

Why had I not heard of this book? It's fantastic. All you need to know is that an 80-year-old lady goes to live on her mining claim in the Siskiyou Mountains in northern California. I can't imagine anyone not liking this book. It's gently funny, moderately dangerous, and just the right level of heartwarming.

[Shanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book wasn't quite as "quirky" as I was expecting, and I was disappointed (although not surprised) to learn that much in the book was fabricated to add to the story. There's also a few racist passages which most people will find offensive. (I do think they should be kept though - as a reminder of how much our society as improved). The pluses are that it is a clean, (mostly) light read, and that it does cause the reader to stop and consider their attitudes toward older family and associates.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book years ago after rangers I worked with recommended it (we sold it at Shasta State Historic Park). The cover is SO bad! But, as we all know, you can not judge...

Inspiring, fun, great description of RURAL Siskiyou County. I gave this book to many (including my mother-in-law who was close to 90). It is enjoyed by all ages. Highly recommend.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming book about an elderly-in-age-but-not-spirit woman who moves to the wilderness at age 80. Sometimes this reads more like a diary (which it kind of is) than a novel - certain scenes are confusing, and too often one of her neighbors says something that she doesn't understand, she writes down that she doesn't understand it, and then that's all - no idea why those passages got included. But overall a really nice story.

[Ericka Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet story of a memoir. It was funny and adventurous. The story of an 80 year old lady who decided to move to a mining claim in the wilderness. There she becomes friends with the caretaker and his mining partner.

[RW · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The body of anyone who drowns in the Klamath is almost never found."

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I do like the way the book is about an 80 year old woman who goes and does something completely different with her life.
I have a question though. Why does she call Dear Sir, Dear Sir? Doesn't the dude have a name? Does she not want to disclose his name? Then why not just give him some other name? And what is up with Up n up? I know Stella Patterson called him that because he was pretty tall, but why does EVERYONE call him that? Did she invent the name only to have it spread to everyone around her? Now I know some very tall people, if I started calling them names like Up n up or High and higher instead of their names, they would get really offended! The only one who had any sense at all, was Millicent (Was that her name? I can't remember and I don't have the book anymore) who called the author Mrs. Patterson, which makes perfect sense because that is her freakin' name! Not "Dear Mad'm!" Also interesting is the foresight and prediction that (beef) Jerky would be a hit once mass produced. Other than that the book seemed crazy. But I love Mrs. Patterson. I like to believe that she is still out there in her pink flamingo smock, growing beautiful flowers and mercilessly killing mice. I like to think about her getting rides from the mailman, avoiding getting struck by lightening, trying to speak french, trying not to be racist, and writting her autobiography. I hope when I'm 80 I am as brave and open minded as Mrs. Patterson. Kudos to her!

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book very much, primarily because I liked "Dear Mad'm" so much. The book is a reflection of the person (as far as I can tell, not having personally known her.) I have to love anybody who at 80 acts on her wish to go live alone in a cabin in the mountains, and grow flowers. Of course, she doesn't end up totally alone, but encounters a few interesting people that become something of a family for each other. I like her outlook. The book is simple, interesting, and fun to read; like sitting down and listening to a friend talk about her life. It is not a plot-driven book, nor is it hilariously funny; it is just life, one interesting woman's life.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Mad,m is an 80 year old woman with young legs. She goes to live in the mountains near the Klamath River, with a strong desire to live on her own terms. Here she finds a love of nature and a place and people you love and need her. Age is only. Number. This is a story that I could read again.

[Myfanwy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book, but it just has not aged well. Love the premise (eighty year old woman goes to live in a cabin in the woods for a year), but just never got past the 1930s-era prejudices...and I couldn't relate to her emotional over- and under-reactions to events throughout the book.

[Margot Fulmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you need a book to distract you from all the "stuff" going on in the world, you might consider this one. Being of a certain age and needing a "book sedative" I found this one charming and just right. At 80, Dear Mad'm leaves her home in SF to spend one year at her cabin with a mining claim in the Siskiyou mountains at the Klamath River in northern CA.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, I guess I wish I had the courage to go live in a tiny cabin somewhere remote. She did have help, though. A charming book.

[Mitch · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book records a year in the life of an 80 year old woman who breaks with her life in San Francisco and takes up life along the Klamath River alongside two miners, a mule and a dog.

I think she did a commendable job relating how she saw her life in her new circumstances.

The book really owes its notoriety to her independence and alternate lifestyle undertaken at an advanced age. Without the age factor, it's just a story of living in an isolated cabin in the woods.

It's a decent read, and one I'd recommend to people who are interested in what aging characters can do at their time of life.

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 1946, Stella Walthall Patterson turned 80 years old. Since she had “young, fit legs” she decided she’d close up her home in San Francisco and live in her cabin on a gold claim along the Klamath River in Northern California for one year. The cabin was basic, no running water or electricity, but she didn’t let that stop her. Fortunately there were two young men working an adjacent claim that befriended her and kept an eye on her. She ended up staying there for almost nine years. While this is not a literary masterpiece by any means, it’s an enjoyable read, particularly by someone like me who finds “too old” a very unfounded opinion.

[Sonja · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly charming book. Dear Mad’m is a wonderfully told story of the beauty of nature, happiness in the little things, and bravery and fortune at any age. I hope to have young legs at 80 and find an adventure all my own as well. And following Dear mad’m I won’t wait until it’s late in life to do some of the simple things I dream of.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life goals right here! Such a great story. Just as if you were sitting with the author listening to her tell you about her time living in a cabin alone. I’m also extremely happy that the publishers haven’t felt the need to remove some cultural things that were normal in the early 50’s but would have people’s panties all in a bunch now a days.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you're eighty years old but have very young legs, what else is there to be done but move out to a little mining claim and experience life in the wilderness for the first time?

Dear Mad'm is apparently the "enhanced" sort of autobiography, but it's no less charming and delightful for all that.

[Kimberlee Feick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good friend gave me this and it was a sweet little read. Who wouldn't cheer for an 80-something woman who decided to move to a remote cabin in the mountains for a year just for kicks? Best of all, it's autobiographical! Her descriptions of food, animals, flowers and her young manly neighbours were delightful.

[Abbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read The Egg and I last year, and while there are many overlaps between the setting, Patterson's humor is much more endearing than MacDonald's. This was a delightful little escape, and I'm looking forward to loaning it to my husband's 95 year old grandmother. She no longer has young legs, but I don't doubt that she'll love this book.

[Steven Lazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

a truly charming read. an efficient and compelling storyteller. the book sneaks up on you and has you in its clutches long before you realize it. fascinating portrait of the western edge of siskiyou county 100 yrs. ago.

[JennanneJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

A charming book I picked up in a Nebraska little free library. I don’t know if it really was a true story, but it was an entertaining tale of an 80 year old woman who went to get away from it all and instead found a new family.

[boxer_dogs_dance · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quiet nature loving memoir about a feisty old lady. This memoir is about an eighty year old lady who trades her city life for a cabin in the mountains. She makes friends and has adventures. It is a compelling true story, set in far northern California on a gold mining claim.

[Annie Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was... OK. Took me a while to finish it. Felt sort of like a self-absorbed memoir with no point. The nicknames she used for her friends got a little tiresome, and it was hard to see where reality came in and idealism fell away.

[electrajoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much! It has been the best read for me in 2025 so far. I want to go move to a cabin in the mountains.
Here’s a granny square to match the library binding.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/syVgzfUZwuk...