By John Cofield

Mrs. Rogers, “Miss Collie,” took sticks from the area behind her house, broke off the limbs, whitewashed them, and worked them into the fence. It was a constant work in progress. All along the base of the fence, Miss Collie planted purple thrift and each spring it bloomed brightly. 

It was an Oxford original. 

I took these pictures of Mrs. Collie Rogers, I’m guessing, in the late 1990s. I had an apartment at Hathorn Ridge – the “Round Houses” – and often saw her in her yard. 

One day I had my not-great camera with me and had the nerve to bother her for a minute. She was gracious and friendly.  — Jim Dees