Balcony lady

The Balcony Lady nodded back at me! No smile, just a curt nod. But an open acknowledgement. For years, this humourless elder — probably an octogenarian — has glared at me in stony silence when I say “good morning” as I pass by her perch, where she is always seen in good weather. I warm to people like this. I keep trying, gently, persistently, amiably.

In my mind, she’s a delightful, quirky misanthrope who tells wonderful stories…but only if you can prove you’re not an idiot first. Which is hard, presumably.