This appeared in the Dayton, Ohio newspaper..... By Laura Bryant Staff Writer Tuesday, April 15, 2008 HAMILTON — Lula Collins can't give you the recipe for living to be 100, but following her lead may get a person closer. Collins, born Nov. 23, 1907 in Perry County, Ky, has lived 94 of those years with the use of only one leg. She moved to Hamilton in 1949 before there was running water and sewers and only three houses could be seen on her street. "I've never thought I'd be a hundred," Collins said. "I've got a 100 years of memory and it sure is a lot. In a 100 years you sure learn a lot." According to daughter Barb Barger, 58, Collins lost her leg when she was 6 years old from a burn. She contracted blood poisoning, and it had to be amputated. "She will not use a wheelchair," Barger said. "She has walked on these crutches for 90 some years. She gets out and hoes that garden just like a young person." Collins, who lives alone in her home, raises a garden every year, travels to stores to shop and is very active in her church, Barger said. "I raised a garden every year since I have been here," Collins said. "I plant cucumbers, onions, lettuce, tomatoes, pumpkins and zucchini." Collins is the oldest of 10 children, four of which are still living. "She is in better medical condition than any of her siblings," Barger said. "She never had a heart attack. She is very active for her age but never did anything special to keep her healthy. "You can ask her anything from 80 years ago and she'll remember it and anything that happened to her in her life and she can remember it." Tim Grindle, her neighbor of 22 years, checks on her throughout the week. "She is an amazing woman," Grindle said. "I don't know anyone who is 100 and can live on their own. It'll be 100 degrees in the middle of the broad day and she will be sittin' out at her garden planting flowers." "She just gives me inspiration," Barger said.
Wow, some woman! If gardening keeps us healthy in addition to giving us beauty, we'd best keep at it.
I would love to meet this lady, especially considering that Hamilton is only about a ten minute drive from where I live! Ironically, I am also an amputee, I lost my leg to cancer when I was ten years old. It's hard for me to get down on the ground to plant & weed, and I complain about it pretty much constantly, LOL. This lady is amazing. I'd love to sit and talk with her awhile.
Teresa, hightail it over the Hamilton and look her up. I bet she would love to share her gardening tips with you.
I firmly believe gardening or plant growing/nurturing of any sort is good for your mental health as well as physical. Imagine having 100 years under your belt
It's quite a story. "Inspirational" really is the word. It would be nice to have the health to continue gardening at that age.
I won't mind living to be 100 if I can still be gardening. My husbands grandmother is 94 and still lives alone. She drives herself to Church every Sun. And she very much knows what's going on. She doesn't garden because that's just not her thing, but if she did she'd still be out there. I say go girl....to them all.
I say bless her heart and more power to her! She is an inspiration to me. When i start to complain out in the gardens, about anything, i'm going to think of her! Thank you Toni for posting this!
I will say it forever that there is something special about gardeners. She is a treasured addition to any garden I bet. She lives and enjoys living it seems.
Teresa, go visit this lovely lady.You will have a lot in common and you will be glad you made the trip. God has really blessed her. She is an amazing example for all of us. Let us know how the visit went.
