Mary Anderson lives for the simple rituals. Twice a day she fills her buckets with feed for the goats and guineas. Widowed for nearly fifty years those are the rhythms that fill her days. And at age 92 the weight of the buckets has shaped her posture and her life.

Self-sufficient and independent, Anderson's love for her animals keeps her alive. Although her children live on the neighboring properties and visit often, long afternoons alone at home are made more bearable with the responsibilities of the farm and the love of her pets.

"When I went to the nursing home for a time, I knew I had to get out of there for my animals," she said. "Most people just give up while in there. I had something to come home to."