This past summer Lisa from Tasmania, Australia sent in pictures from her garden. Well, she’s back, and this time she is telling us about her Great Aunt Ruby… 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Meet my Great Aunt Ruby!
Ruby turned 98 last September, still lives by herself and tends to this amazing garden.
She lives in a little town called Wynyard in Tasmania and her home is a stones throw from the beach.
Ruby trained as a nurse and has spent a lifetime taking care of people.
Right up until the last few months, Ruby has pretty much sorted out the garden by herself, with a bit of help here and there from her daughter Margaret who lives almost next door. This season she decided that she may need a bit of help with the heavy digging, so that’s where I come in!
This plot Ruby dug herself and planted carrot, beetroot and lettuce seeds, then used the high tech method of cat-digging prevention by covering the area with any and all wire guards!
And it worked! A few months later there was a lush garden happening. The peas were well on their way as well as the potatoes (destined for the Christmas dinner table).
In her garden there are usually potatoes, tomatoes, zucchini, beetroot, carrot, lettuce, peas, beans, cabbage, broccoli, artichokes, parsnip, strawberries, pumpkin, cucumber, silver beet, garlic and herbs. Plus probably other stuff I have forgotten!! Enough to feed a small army if one happened on by!!
Often when I go to visit, I’ll find Ruby sitting on her milk crate, wearing her gardening hat and pulling up weeds.
The before…
And after efforts of the other days weeding! Not bad for someone who is almost 100 years old!!
If she is pottering about the garden she will most likely be using an old mop to lean on, not as keen on the walking stick because if people see that, they might think she is “old.”
There is always a bit of a competition for the first ripe tomato of the season. I thought I may have been first past the post this year, but nope… here is Ruby “skiting” (as she would say)(boasting) about the first red tomato in her hothouse!
Ruby is very used to feeding herself out of what she grows. There is always a big feed of vegetables and fruit on the table. Because she is nearly blind, it gives her a lot of independence to be able to go up into the garden and get what she needs rather than continually having to rely on someone else to shop for her.
I might add that her scones (I think you call them biscuits in North America) are superb! (home-made jams to go on top of course!!)
What I love about Ruby’s garden is the way she has pretty flowers here there and everywhere right throughout. You are never really sure what to expect to see blooming at different times of the year.
This plot of flowers is now covered in a seaweed mulch. Advantages of living by the ocean!! The council here allows residents to collect what they need from the beach, and apart from being free, it doesn’t introduce any unwanted weeds! In her younger years, Ruby would just take the wheelbarrow across the road and help herself!
Ruby is adored by all her family, she is a wealth of information on gardening and cooking among other things, has great stories , she has a great sense of fun (for example: dressing up as Mother Hubbard for me when I needed a ‘Nursery Rhyme’ photo) and is always happy to put the kettle on for a cuppa when we drop in and I might add its nearly impossible to escape without an armful of food of some kind!!
Well… there you go.
Cheers,
~ Lisa
If you would like to have your garden, chicken coop or something you’ve made featured on One Hundred Dollars a Month, here’s what I’m looking for:
- Your Garden Pictures and Tips – I’d especially like to see your garden set ups, growing areas, and know if you are starting seeds indoors this year. If so, show me some picture of how you are going about it.
- Your Chicken and Chicken Related Stories – Coops, Chicks, Hen’s, Roosters, Eggs, you name it. If it clucks, send us some pictures to share with the world.
- Cool Arts & Crafts – Made from your very own hands with detailed {and well photographed} pictures and instructions.
- Your pictures and stories about your pets. The more pictures and details the better.
- Garage Sale, Thrift Store and Dumpster Diving pictures and the stories behind the treasures you found including how much you paid for them.
If I feature your pictures and the stories behind them on One Hundred Dollars a Month, I will send you a $20.00 gift card to the greatest store in the world: Amazon.com.
Go HERE for the official rules.
Mary Ann says
You can tell just by her smile that Ruby is a wonderful woman! God bless her!
Thanks for sharing!
Debbie says
What a lovely smile Ruby has! She shines just like her name 🙂
Ria says
What an awesome story! Way to go Ruby 🙂
Delores says
Wow! That was so inspiring!
Susan says
What a gem this Ruby is. A beautiful smile, garden, sense of style and outlook on life. Thanks for sharing your great aunt, Lisa!
Sandy says
I love Ruby. Awesomesauce supreme!
Tangela says
How amazing!!! She is such a beautiful lady and I am so impressed by her story. She is an EXTREMELY young 98!!!
Susan says
Aunt Ruby is an inspiration and just so ADORABLE!!!
Kpullman says
Thanks for the pictures! Ruby is beautiful and such an inspiration. She reminds me greatly of my own grandmother – God rest her soul. What a treat to see her beautiful garden.
Janet says
Can you ask Lisa and her Aunt Ruby what the bush is that is all over Tasmania that blooms with little blue flowers around June? I was there, in Launceston specifically. I loved all these blue bushes and I normally will only plant natives in my yard but for one of these bushes I would make an exception. They are gorgeous and were all over Launie.
Lisa Millar says
Hi Janet!
I am not sure off the top of my head which bush you mean, but I am sure I can find out. (I’ll ask Ruby and do a bit of research)
We live about 2 hours west of Launceston. I hope you enjoyed Launie… its a beautiful area!
Karen Doyle Lyons says
Lisa, I am searching for a Peggy Millar who lives in Tasmania with other members of her family. She contacted me a bit ago about family history – Daniel Cornelius Lyons (Lehane) from Ballyvoige , County Cork Ireland. My husband Daniel James Lyons and I are going to visit Ballyvoige in May this year. We are hoping to find family.
Peggy had some information as to family members. If I have the correct family I lot to email my information.
Best to you,
Karen Lyons
Lisa Millar says
Hi Karen!
I will ask around the family… I also had a phone no. for a P. Millar but no-one was answering… I will try again later.
My great uncles wife was a Millar so I will chat to the cousins.
My husband just by chance is also a Millar (from Canada) who has roots in Ireland!
He has more idea on the family history so I will ask him and let you know.
Sounds wonderful to be going to Ireland. We plan to do that trip in a few years!
Talk soon
Cheers
Lisa
lindaharper says
I’m 59 with a big garden and hope to be like Ruby in 40s years! My dad made it to 97.
CarolLynn says
Beautiful lady – thanks for sharing!! Made my day!
Lauren says
Go Ruby! What a beautiful person.
Janet, I doubt that it would be an Australian Native, maybe look through the website below. Perhaps the Blue butterfly bush.
http://www.gardensforwildlife.dpiw.tas.gov.au/gfw.nsf/weeds
Lynne Gill says
What an incredible woman!
I’ve recently been watching youtube videos about permaculture, and homesteading and … well, just downright groing your own – Tasmania does seem to be the place to be!
Ellen says
I hope I’m like Aunt Ruby when I’m older!!
ConnieP says
Thank you, Mavis, for sharing Lisa’s story of Great Aunt Ruby. What a gem!
Ann McD says
Thank you for sharing your great aunt Ruby’s story. What an incredible inspiration.
sindy says
Ruby you made my day. You are a true inspiration. I love how simple pleasures become life’s treasures. Thanks for posting Mavis
Mary says
She reminds me of my dear mother (went home to God when she was 99). Thank you so much for this posting. It was truly wonderful to read & see goodness in this world.
karen says
I want to be Ruby when I grow up! Thanks for sharing, Lisa!
Jane says
Me too! What a beautiful and inspiring lady!
Lisa Millar says
Thank-you Mavis for posting Ruby’s story – She will be rapt that she has “gone international”
And thank-you everyone above for your lovely comments. I will make sure I bring Ruby around for afternoon tea and read them all to her!
We have only been in Tasmania three years and I have learnt so much from her!
Cheers all
Rebecca says
I’ve “met” Ruby through so may of Lisa’s photos and just love her!! She is a true delight and an inspiration to probably three generations of women!!!
Diana says
Loved this! Ruby is adorable and awesome! I want to be like her when I grow up! Seems like she has a lot of zest for life (plus a great garden and killer smile!) keep it up ruby!
dc says
Great Aunt Ruby is truly the gem! She made my frigid long day a little brighter. May 2015 bring her and all of us continued health, laughter and love! Thank you Lisa and Mavis for the post, CHEERS =]
Deitra says
What a wonderful blessing you have in your Aunt Ruby! Treasure her! Peace from Georgia, United States.
Kate says
Ruby is awesome! You go girl!
Tracy L. says
What an inspiration!!!! I wish I had an Aunt Ruby! Lisa you are very fortunate to have such a wealth of information and experience! Thank you Mavis and Lisa for sharing. Garden on!
Peggy Ann says
I want an Aunt Ruby of my own. Thank you for sharing.
Patti says
I hope to be just like Aunt Ruby when I’m her age. Both Lisa and her garden are beautiful.
Lilypad says
What beautiful hair she has! Thank you for the picture and stories.
Mindy says
Best garden story yet.
Joan says
I miss my aunt that your (Lisa) Aunt Ruby reminds me of. Sounds like some of us want to be adopted. 🙂 Looking at her Mavis, all I could think was there goes Mavis in 60 plus years. Aunt Ruby also reminds me of my grandmother with that story about not using a cane. When my grandmother was 99 and I was visiting her on her birthday in a nursing home, she was sitting in a chair and I asked her if she wanted a blanket to keep her legs warm. She said no! That would make me look old. Aunt Ruby is my new inspiration.
Joan says
I forgot to mention, this has given me a yen to go see Tasmania. I know nothing about it but it looks beautiful.
Lisa Millar says
Lady’s like your aunt and our Ruby are treasures! I love the way they want to do everything themselves and throw off any hint of “Old”. Ruby says she gets quite cross on the days she feels in her 90’s rather than living like she was in her 60’s!!
Tasmania is beautiful (I am biased maybe) We are on the North West Coast area so its milder weather wise than further south. Feel free to let me know if you want more info on a possible holiday down this way!! I am becoming a wealth of info on this area!
Cheers!
Judy & George says
Meeting Ruby, on a visit to Tasmania a few years ago, was one of the highlights of our vacation. The warmth and kindness she offered made us feel like part of her extended family. We enjoyed many hours in her company listening to stories of her interesting life. We witnessed the pride and love Ruby has of her garden and that of life itself. She is a remarkable woman and we send her our love.
Ali says
That was a fantastic story about a truly inspiring woman. I’ve been enriched to have read it.
Lisa Millar says
Again thank-you for all the lovely comments above!
I brought Ruby around for a cup of tea and sat her in front of the computer to show her the story and photos then read out to her all of your comments!!
She totally enjoyed the story I wrote and she was a little embarrassed about all the compliments from all you kind people, but she said to say thank-you to all of you that took the trouble to comment.
She was always especially pleased if someone had taken an interest in her beloved Tasmania!
She has been feeling good in the warm summer days and every time I go back to her garden she has done so much weeding that I feel like I am falling behind on my job!! (So I went and collected about 10 feed bags full of seaweed which we dumped all over the garden!)
Thanx again – Lisa
Linda says
Lisa, I am so happy you shared your Aunt Ruby with the rest of us! She is absolutely charming! I would love to be able to meet her, but since that won’t happen your entry is the next best thing. Thanks!
Lisa Millar says
Glad you enjoyed reading a little of Ruby’s story!
Yes – we do seem a little ‘off the beaten track’ to most people!
Ruby was really happy to hear of peoples interest in Tasmania as well!
Julie says
Just seen this, latecomer to Mavis’ Blog, what an amazing lady! I hope I will still be as able.
Lisa Millar says
Thanks Julie! I am hoping to get around to doing a “Ruby Update” soon. She turned 100 last September and she is still doing amazing work in her garden! 🙂
Julie says
Wow! I wondered how she was doing, amazing age and reasonably hale and hearty too if she is still doing even the smallest part of her garden! It must be all that fresh veg!