Greetings from Ohio. I’ve been watching your channel for a long long time. My husband got me started and we watched together. He passed away September 3, 2020. So I watch alone knowing that he too knows what you’re doing only he watches from a distance. His dream for building a cabin was cut short by pancreatic cancer. He had purchased a sawmill, cut down 67 Pine trees, and was in the process of bringing those trees to our home. The dream didn’t get finished. He did build our house though in 1978 which was his first building dream. We raised our four children here and now have eight grandchildren. You are the one that inspired his dream for building a cabin. We own extra property close to our Homestead. That is where the cabin was to go. Your work is impeccable. Looking forward to the fall and winter and seeing the cabin go upward.

Friday, isn't Friday. Without Shawn James and Cali ! Cabin life.

The scenery and music at the end are lovely. I lost my husband to cancer five years ago and your montage reminded me of what I miss the most, walking and hiking with Mike and our dogs and reveling in the beauty of nature.

Здравствуйте. Я сама из Грузий но живу в Голландий. Собираюсь переезжать обратно домой. И ваши фильмы мне очень помогут строить в Грузий свою дальнейшую Жизнь. Я смотрю вас уже второй год и наслаждаюсь всем тем что вы делаете и так же наслаждаюсь вашей собакой и природой вокруг вас. Как мало нужно человеку что бы быть счастливым. Хотелось всегда иметь в жизни такого работящего друга как вы но это только мечты. И потому все то что делаю, делаю одна.

I can't believe I watch you build your new cabin and play with Cali for 45 minutes straight while sipping on a Single Malt Scotch Whisky. I guess it reminds me of when I lived in Northern Michigan near the Canadian border from 1975-1977 during my high schools days when I was a mountain man living off the land. I miss those days now, especially since I live in a city of 18 million people working hard everyday to reach their dreams. You're living your dream in the woods of Canada and we get to vicariously live with you through the magic of video. Thanks for sharing your life with us Shawn. Stay safe and enjoy your life that millions of us dream of having. Cheers!

Oh thank you for this video, at 62 and not so great health, Ill never get the chance to see places like this, your video is almost like being there, its so beautiful. Thank you so very much.

Hei Shawn..your cinematic parts are just mesmerizing, pure poetry..I let myself be carried away in another world, so peaceful, so pure.. Thank you so much for sharing your emotions with us.

This is August in 2022, and I am watching this episode for the 3rd time. Magnificent scenery (great videography) mixed with getting to watch Cali. I can't express well enough how much Cali effects my emotions. I feel like she is a part of my own family of cocker spaniels. She is simply marvelous. You have come a long way with the cabin since this episode. Roof on and windows installed. I watch plenty of blogs (since at 82 I spend a fair amount of time at home), but your two channels resonate best with me. Like many other subscribers, I live vicariously through your adventures. Give Cali a BIG SMOOCH from Mike & Ronnie. GOD BLESS

This is quickly becoming my favorite YT channel. Nothing better than watching the building progress, nature shots, various canoe trips, and course, Cali! Fantastic work, Shawn!

Sean, I just want to say thank you so much for the beautiful scenery at the end of your video. To me, very spiritual. I loved you taking Cali for a walk, and a little bit of swimming for her. Wishing you only the best.

The cabin construction is fascinating, but...the Nature Videos are in a Super Class all by them selves. Gold Metal Standards with no doubt.

It always amazes me how clean and tidy his work is. Usually, a man alone isn't so particular. Well done

Yes another video of My Self Reliance. Friday is a good day 👍🇵🇭

This isa much better spot for the cabin. The scenery is absolutely beautiful. The water falls, the running water, the wildlife. You’re in heaven Shaun.

That owl shot in your open was STUNNING!

I am totally hooked on this channel. This is truly God’s Country!!!! I applaud your skills and craftsmanship. Cali is so loyal and precious.You have a wonderful wife who is content to stay in the background happily supporting you all the way. You have been blessed abundantly. Thank you for enriching our lives.😄

You’re a Rich man. Richer for living the life you live, and to have the beautiful surroundings that you live in along with Cali! Your build is coming right along and I can’t wait to see the final product!

I basically live for this show

Hands down best video maker!!! Prolific video artist essay, a refined master whose palette is comprised of nature, creativity, engineering, sacred music, wildlife, passion, loyalty, gentleness, skill, technology, and intelligence. I'm always humbled at the grace I feel when you position me in such beauty and wholesome industry. It looks a lot like heaven, I marvel that I don't see you fall on your knees and give thanks to God. I am blessed and a better person because of you, Sean. Thank you. 🙏

Shawn & OUR CALI what ever would we do without you !!! Love the WOODPECKER on the Throne HOUSE!!! HAHAHA YOU SHAWN is one person who knows how to get things done!!! I am proud to say I WATCH THIS CHANNEL WITH YOU & OUR CALI!!!

Fantastic progress! Cali is so patient waiting for her human to makevtime for her. 😃 This new cabin will have a great many creature comforts & that will be wonderful as the years go by. Another beautiful video; thank you.

The owl scene was real funny, as if it was peering at Shawn and Cali's dinner table! Enjoying the channel, all the way from Harare, Zimbabwe, Africa.

I think I love this acreage better than your last one! That one was not meant to be your forever home! It was sort of a laboratory for you to practice, hone and perfect your skills and to discover new things and ways of living in this land! HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT OR HAVE YOU PANNED FOR GOLD IN YOUR RIVERS UP THERE?? Your scenery and wildlife photography is to die for!! Just spectacular! Thank you for including us on your journey! Most of us would never get the opportunity to see and experience these things on our own! God Bless

Definitely is a better piece of land! More rural, cabin sitting up high with a better view. Love the process of slowly watching it come together with my son. It's a slice of heaven on Earth to be in that stillness of nature and create.

You are an Artist! Everything you do from your build/ garden/cooking/ video of the Land; Feeds the Mind & Soul!❤️

This is gonna be incredible cabin From the wilderness Something to be proud of🛶🏚

With a loyal companion & best friend like Cali, who needs ppl. I just love that dog.🌺

Gosh when that music comes in and the footage keeps rolling. I feel a sadness overcome to think of all we've done and how simple life could be and still as much rewarding. I ask myself could I live a life like this?? I would welcome the peace and beauty to fill my heart and life everyday. Like many of us I wasn't raised nor taught the skills or courage to live in such a place. I don't have the tools in my toolbox if you know what I mean and that saddens me. I pray that the future changes and we as a human species learns to go back and put mother nature first. This just is so wholesome!

The wildlife shots were amazing to start. I’m a birder so appreciated the Owl especially.

Love it when you upload man. It's so calming and heartwarming.

Just when I start to forget what brings my heart peace, Friday comes and there you are, with Cali, reminding me that things that may seem huge are actually insignificant, and things that seem unattainable are actually nearer than one may guess. Thank you for this, Mr. James. I am so excited to see your new homestead taking shape! Figs on the fig tree, squash ready to go, (what a beautiful basket of veggies!), the root cellar getting all battened down... yes, things are good.

Trees are starting to change color. Winter’s not far off. Best dog on earth !

If you haven't yet, your wife and you should win some type of award for cinematography. You never disappoint.

Those fresh veggies look really good. The place is taking shape and I love watching your videos. Hugs for Cali!!

Cali is soooo gentle taking food from your hand. She’s such a sweet girl!

I'm blown away by the quality and detail in this build. Probably will outlast any home on earth.

Work and courage in a most magnificent setting this forest is a cornucopia accompanied by serenity and rest for the soul,through these photos you are sending us a whole positive energy that does us good.thank you !

For what comes out of your cabin as for plumbing, it has to be at close to 1% -1.5% slope since what leaves has to leave all together. With a higher slope, things will stick while liquid will flow faster then the rest, you want everything leaving to leave at a slower speed and this way it will remain cleaner. (Learned in official construction courses. ) Way to go Shawn !! Thanks for providing us with such a great model of self reliance, my favorite !!

A man, his dog and the outdoors.. Love you and Cali, AB and Brucie, JoeRobinett and Scout now Tripper, the loyalty of man and pup is emotionally strengthening...beautiful scenery.

Your filming of nature, with a superb choice of music, just right, is much appreciated. I often cry some tears, that cheer me up.

Blondie(aka Cali) is an amazing dog, super smart, loyal and no doubt affectionate. A very enjoyable watch, nicely edited also.

The Wilds of our Mother Earth are not wild at all. The absolute beauty at your home Shawn with the wildlife and trees and waters, is the finest Paradise any human could be part of. There is balance, beauty, truth and unity. Kind Thanks for sharing a bit of this great gift where you live. For sharing such an intimate connection you and your family Love! Your videos with matching music are Sacred! We many are absorbed in every second of Your Self Reliance, for every nail and board and shovel full of earth. It reminds us all that we are truly children of Mother Earth! DaveyJO in Pennsylvania

Build it like you mean it. This is pure poetry.

The best channel for watching, like national geographic but much better. To be fair I waiting for ich week new chapter My Self Reliance. Great job James.

I Love how Cali is the most unimpressed with her dad’s incredible work, and we’re all incredibly impressed by it. She’s like, yeah dad I know you do stuff but can you just thrown my darn toy and give me snacks please? Lol

Having an early autumn looks like... your gardening once again has paid off & looks great ... nothing tastes better than fresh veggies out of the garden! After all the hot, muggy, rainy weather we've had - real nice to be able to enjoy some cooler days. Thank you & enjoy the fruits of your labor.🇨🇦❤

Shawn it's good to see a guy using basic horse-sense geometry to equalize the diagonals of his new cabin's rectangular footprint to make sure it's true before doing further construction. I'm sure that you have a big bin/box/bag for those small off-cuts to use as kindling and fire-starters etc? Watch it, Cali! Dad's chucking sand about! I'm sure you give thanks for your own private Harvest Festival. You have such lovely nature shots too ... the owl, sunrise, wildflowers, babbling brook, Mr. Moose etc. Thanks for this Friday's episode.

Hi Shawn: I get the feeling that summer is turning a corner & hints of autumn are creeping in. However, the beauty of the seasons is always there. The work on the underpinnings of the home continue. Unglamorous, but necessary for durability.. Thanks for all your efforts & stay safe. Brian 81

The Owl's wink is everything this week! Also love the music with your lovely photography, breathtakingly beautiful!

Your property is gorgeous. Perfect in every way. Water source, trees, fish, fowl, bear, deer, moose and MORE. You never cease to amaze in your videos, capturing the beauty in landscape and wonder in wildlife. The owl was definitely a highlight. Thank you so much for ALL you do in these videos.

Best small mouth flies you will ever make is out of the chittering ones tail . As a bonus they make good soup ! 22 short is good enough to get them as they sit there and mock your very being !

This land is a paradise. All best for You!

Cabin is looking great and wildlife , mother nature shots is priceless

Your sun in the water was unbelievable! That was one of the nicest pictures I've ever seen! The ending was beautiful! Thank you. Have a great day.

Shawn, that door knocker on the W.C. is the cherry on the cake for me, it's small details like that, that will be enjoyed for many years. Greetings from Pretoria, South Africa.

Love watching you build and cook on the same video. Let's don't forget Cali and all the scenery to.Great job.

great picture quality and the sound is some of the best on You Tube.

Never get tired of watching you start a fire and Cali playing

I love how many treats Cali gets around the campfire.

I look forward to Friday's watching Shawn and Cali it reminds me what my future should be, then Monday arrives, and then I'm reminded of my reality. A true inspiration for others. Keep up the hard work Shawn.

love the progress and simply amazing footage this week. thanks again for having us all along for your adventure as you transform your piece of heaven.

Cali should have a life jacket? You never know. The owl was a real treat. Love the progress!

one thing is for certain, and that is you have definitely chosen the right path in life. from capturing what you see in photography, to videos, sharing nature through your eyes living how man should be living with mother nature in a healthy balance. minimizing your foot print along your journey, so that the future can enjoy what you see, and you share it with us through those videos and photos...wow

grandparents make great videos, life is peaceful and beautiful, I am also perfecting my life like that. I wish you a lot of health

Well one thing is for sure you have a lot of Fish and Game so you will never go hungry. Beautiful scenery! I don't even have to watch the whole thing as soon as you come on I hit the like button oh, because I know I will not be disappointed

This world is so beautiful. ......... such a great energy today. Thanks mate. Peace from Melbourne Australia

Thank you Shawn, it's been a tough week, my wife has COVID and I needed a little break! I appreciate your content in difficult times, have a great weekend!

Your videography is so beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing the wilderness with us.

I know after watching this man build his first homestead that this cabin is going to be the most beautiful cabin in any of us have ever seen- living the dream is what this is, living the dream! Cali it's just as pretty as she can be. 🌬️💨🌊💙🙏 Everything here on this homestead is just to live for the garden the stream / Little River , all of it Wow 👌😎🌿

Love your vids. Being in a wheelchair, your videos bring me a great sense of visual freedom and peace , TY

As the son of a plumber, I recognize the work done here. In my youth I finally did get to beat my dad at decking, but in all else then and since he's bettered me. Now I'm 46 and I help him with the things he could do all day every day just a decade before. He's still the better man, and we both allow the realization automatically, without words. Now especially I spend as much time outdoors as I can, and I'm glad to see you and Cali taking advantage of this summer of mixed blessings.

There's such a calming experience when I watch your videos, makes me a little jealous,I can't experience such a lovely place,thank you. GOD BLESSINGS UPON YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

Beautiful scenery. Good progress on the foundation work. No short cuts. The grandkids can enjoy the building project years from now.

Aside from the amazing work your doing and your attitude for life..the love you and your dog have for each other is also amazing to watch ...what a beautiful friend you have..LOVE watching you both.

🇨🇵 suis je le seul a vous suivre depuis la france qui plus est depuis Paris ..?chaque nouvelles videos est une aventure .... En ces temps de pandemie vous nous faites rêver ... respect 🙏

Oh boy….. nothing like seeing this pop up when your paying bills…… bills can wait! Shawn vs bills….. lol

Breath taking wildlife an forest to fish life soo beautiful, sun set colours so lovely. The owl 🦉 the moose the birds 🐦 the man and his companion. Magical.

There’s something so achingly wondrous about what you’re doing, Shawn. This being in nature, eating and living from nature, building from nature and being one with nature, that speaks to us all, I think. It’s a wonderful experience watching your videos, following you and Cali’s journey. But it also pulls in me, watching these sensually soft images from your cameras and the drone. This stunningly gorgeous piece of land you call mine. I love this, Shawn. I don’t want it to ever end. ❤️🥰

I am loving that woodpecker knock Truly outdoorsy

your new property seems to look more amazing than your first cabin site.

everytime i look at your videos. I say, I want to live in such a nature. A clean life, no sound, alone with nature. I love watching you. 👍👍👍✌️✌️✌️😊😊😊

the best part is definitely the sunrise and the panoramas of the surrounding area

So beautiful work, so beautiful landscape, so beautiful animal life, mooses and birds’ singing, so beautiful Cali and peaceful condition... thank you so much for this amazing life...

...Wow; this has gotta be one of your best! ...Great camera angles and video editing. Nice job!

The way Cali watches you dig makes me wonder what's going through her mind. "Stop that and throw this thing"... or ".. what the heck are you DOING?!"

Ah, Shawn, your B Roll is sublime. Nobody does it better in my book!

Shawn, that hand saw is SHARP! Cuts wood like butter.

What you have shown on video of the area around your build, is really beautiful; the forest, the streams flowing into the lake and the wild life. Thank you.

To be one with nature, away from the maddening crowd, you are truly blessed. Thank you for sharing a bit of your heaven with us. Waves to Kali.

You are a truly gifted ! A superb craftsman , excellent photographer and a dog that loves you. May God continue to bless you.

As always you stir the hearts of others with this life that stirs your heart so.

I thought you’d bring out the level building your fire pit. 😉 I love your videos, the music, listening to and watching you work is calming to me. Thanks for helping me get through this pandemic, living alone is less lonely. Stay healthy! From Oregon USA

Greetings Shawn from San Diego, CA. Another fantastic video covering the cabin, the garden, your cooking abundance, the relaxing scenery with the sounds of trickling water and the most beautiful wildlife the forest has to offer. Thank You Shawn.

Shawn, you did show us how hard you work on the cabin but you mingle some beautiful shots of nature. Your skills on video is super . The ending was so peaceful, calm, showing God's nature is gorgeous and we all need to enjoy it thanks for this journey. Love the video thanks 😊 again.

Shawn, you are a great film producer. Excellent job.

Thank you for sharing your life with us....so connected to the land, I find it so spiritual.

Beautiful! Your off grid cabin is coming along. Watching from Montreal, 🇨🇦. Thanks for the inspiration. 😃

That little callie is a joy to see each week. Really enjoy the process of building a dwelling . It's fascinating.

Hey Ho Homestead, here we come !!!! Getting a really good move on there with all the fiddley bits in root cellar etc Shawn. How lush and green the river level foliage is. What an amazing changing seasonal view you are going to get looking out from the homestead, over the river and the valley !!! I've decided there's an exceptionalism about Canada and probably Alaska also. Early hours of the morning, when body won't sleep I watched the video of a man doing a 9 day kayak in trip on Lake Superior ..thatbin itself was most remarkable stamina and some uniquely quintessential formations of rocks and caves and cliffs, of colours and shapes etc etc revealed themselves thru His camera BUT the most èarth shattering, 3sp at 2.20 am was behind him to the right were rainbows ... I say in the plural as one became 2 and 2 became 3 I was totally smitten never have I seen 3 rainbows together ... I like him just stared ....and as I expected them to decrease... yet another very feint rainbow was visible. That's 🌈🌈 4 RAINBOWS 🌈🌈 at the same time !!!! UNREAL I'd never believe anyone telling me that. I didn't when know it was possible. So keep your eyes AND camera at the ready Shawn. If anyone else 2ould see such a miracle , it would have to be you. It blew my mind yeah 🤗🤗🌈‼️😱👍🙏💞👏👏👏

Well done, Shawn. Nothing more important than the floor deck to be square and level, you will have smooth sailing going forward. Thank you for your dedication to bringing us these informative and highly enjoyable videos each week, I love the way you present 'less is more' w/ regards to your personal life. Keep up the great work! 4e