anyone ever lived in the woods?

8 months over the winter in a small hand-built shelter, had cancer at the time too. In the mountains of North Carolina.

Temps hit - 20f with windchill.

Here's pics

[link to s839.photobucket.com]

[link to s839.photobucket.com]

had fun actually.

Squirrels are just rats with better PR.

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Same mission...gathering nuts...

Just get a cardboard box under a bridge somewhere close to a public toilet. Close to a trash dumpster or fast food place is good, too, so you can sort through the trash for good stuff. Sterno is good for heat, or you can have it for aperitifs, but not sure it goes on the Food Stamps or EBT. Get some eye-glasses with the rear-view mirrors so you can see who's sneaking up on you to steal your stuff. Make a map showing nearest Salvation Army, Goodwill store, and Rescue missions, plus the local blood bank/donation site. Oh, make sure some local WiFi operates close to your base.

You got some good advice here OP.
I have a couple of suggestions to add.

1. Outside bathing in the cold sucks. Get a spray bottle, maybe some wet-wipes.

2. Make sure you have a 'footprint', a sturdy tarp under your tent.

3. Be smart when choosing a campsite.
Under a tree or tree limb can be deadly in heavy snow or wind.
A nice flat area might pool up with water during rain.
A well worn animal trail is well-worn for a reason, critters use it.

4. If possible, cook a good distance away from where you sleep.

5. Often times I will setup my tent around a fallen tree or large rocks. The idea here is to limit direct, easy and quiet access to your tent. Large critters (humans and bears) will snap branches and twigs and will alert you.

6. Good knife is vital. Bear spray or wasp spray if you don't have a gun.

Good luck OP, stay DRY.

Your most valuable tool will be a chainsaw and the know how to use and maintain it. Food, water and heat are next. If your creative the chainsaw will take care of the heat issue.