(Published in Alabama Anthology 2007) br br In worn overalls as patched br and thin as his shoes and br with a rusty bucket in hand, br he walked along the side of the br road. He was 74 years old br and carrying fresh cut collard br greens to his daughter's house br 13 miles away. br br Minnie who was 69 was br running off to work to take br care of an 'old woman' of 91. br br Sarah was 82 and her mom 99. br They sewed quilts for a living br and were preparing for the br mother's 100th birthday party br soon to come. br br I stopped to ask directions br from Georgia who was hanging br clothes on the line, she said br she was 105. She had cleaned br houses all her life. br br So I asked her the Alabama br secret of old age: br br Was it the slow living in the warm sun? br Was it the clean air or pure water? br Was it good food prepared by loving hands? br br She smiled and said 'Yes, it's all that' br br 'But mostly........ it's the hard work'. br br Then she hung another faded shirt br up on the line.