“If the Lord wants me here, He should leave me well-equipped.” And that He has!

On June 16, Ruth Seltzer celebrated her 100th birthday. Remarkable? Have a look at this feisty dominative lady who walks without the use of a cane, walker or an electric chair and says proudly, “I have good eyesight too.” If you inquire more about her lifestyle and how she made 100, she quickly replies, “I never drank or smoked and I drove until last year.” Although she admits, “It’s outrageous to drive.” And if you press the question of longevity, she answers, “I think it’s kind of stupid. Nothing I did intentionally got me here.” But we are not so sure.

Ruth’s birthday honors included a Certificate of Recognition from the city of Oceanside signed by Mayor Jim Wood, and a huge cake delivered by the Oceanside Fire Department. “They’re such cute firemen,” she says. “Took a picture of me sitting on the fire truck.” For her 99th birthday last year, she and her granddaughter spent two nights at the Palo Casino. I forget to mention, Ruth loves to play video poker — a fast and perfect game not for just anyone. In celebration of her birthday, the chef presented a cake with 99 candles. When she and great grandson Taylor blew them out, the cake caught on fire burning the arms of the chef. Taking no second chances, this year’s birthday cake was divided in two parts with many candles on each. And how was her game of video poker? Ruth is matter-of-fact. “I made $80 the first night,” she says. “The second night I gave it back.”

Ruth was born in Winsted, Conn., the youngest of seven children. Her Jewish parents were from Austria. Before coming to California, she trained as a registered nurse at Mount Sinai Hospital in Philadelphia. She and her late husband, Harold, later were longtime residents of Inglewood. Together they raised one child, daughter Caros, who recently passed. “We were very close, and did a lot together,” Ruth says sadly. But she has two granddaughters, high school teacher Dana, and Caryn, mother of her great grandsons. “Great boys! Taylor is 5 and Wes (is) 3.” While living in Inglewood, Ruth practiced her nursing for 20 years with Dr. Edward Crane, an eye, ear and nose throat specialist.

Fairwinds Ivy Ranch Retirement Community in Oceanside has been Ruth’s home for the past five years. Her attractive apartment is filled with mementos including a small stool in the kitchen. Ruth, who is maybe 5 feet tall, fondly points to it. “Harold was 6’2”. I used to stand on it to be side by side with him.”

 At Fairwinds, she says, “I do pretty much what I like, reading modern and historical fiction, watching DVDs, working crossword puzzles. I don’t care for bridge or bingo.” And for a woman who knows her own mind, she is quick to state, “and I don’t need to do activities.” Her favorite author is Judith McNought and for many years she has enjoyed painting. Two activities Ruth does partake in are working out on the exercise machine for 20 minutes, five days a week and attending the Brain Fitness Program. Popular among retirees, the program is based on neuroscience research in the field of brain plasticity, in other words the ability of the brain to change itself and improve its function at any age. Exercises are done on a computer for an hour a day for up to eight weeks and is self-paced to adjust to the individual’s abilities and needs.

And what about birthday 101? Ruth is already off to a fine start making travel plans. In December she and her entire family are going to Hawaii.