Genteel Ladies - Ms. Lila

I have a neighbor that I adore. She is in her mid to late eighties and is elfin in stature. Petite and fine boned, but with a personality the size of Texas. I really must mind my manners when speaking with her; it could be misconstrued if I were to break out giggling. But giggling is just what she inspires.

This well mannered woman has reached the stage in life that allows her to speak her mind. Have any of you read "When I Grow Old I Will Wear Purple." by Jenny Joseph? Ms. Lila has taken up the spirit of the poem, I've never witnessed her pressing alarm bells, but I wouldn't be surprised to hear of it. The restraints of her early life have been lifted and she seems delighted to wield shock value. I'm quite sure she is well aware of how contrasting it is to her delicate appearance.

Shortly after I moved into my home I met Ms. Lila. Myself and a few friends were taking a break on the patio from painting. Ms. Lila stepped out of her house waving hello and proceeded to introduce herself and welcome us "girls" to the neighborhood. Her voice is soft, her welcome warm and cultured, and then...."By the way which one of you owns the house and chose that color?" We looked at each other not sure what to expect, I stepped forward and said it was me, and that I was very pleased to meet her. "Why I just LOVE it, its bumble bee YELLOW!!! That old house hasn't been painted in the 16 years I've lived here. It was just atrocious, and that WOMAN had breakfast on her patio every morning," The patio is nice, it has a lovely view of the street and neighbors, I well could see myself with a cup of tea every morning and reading the paper. "in nothing but panties and a sheer nightie." Now I live in a quiet neighborhood, but I was beginning to doubt my purchase slightly. With that she waved good bye so we could get back to painting my home its soft butter cream yellow (who knew butter cream yellow could be seen as bumble bee yellow and that the former owner of my home .... ummm ..... had decidedly liberal wardrobe choices for dining on the patio).

Ms. Lila continues to be a delight, one day while we were visiting in the yard she reached up and adjusted her wig. I was trying not to notice, but she was having none of that. "I've worn a wig for 35 years. Lost every hair on my head." Oh, its lovely I replied as if I hadn't known it was a wig. It is bronze in color, perfectly styled at all times (although it can slip a little now and then) and about 4 times to big for her delicate face. She stood there smoking her cigarette, a perfect dramatic Betty Davis. "I'm seeing my Doctor this afternoon. I'm always under the weather it seems. I was so worried that they would require I give up smoking. My doctor said I had the right to choose, quality over quantity. Of course quality. Well dear I have to get ready; my daughter will be picking me up shortly. Have a lovely afternoon." I did. And Ms. Lila, I wish you many many years of lovely afternoons. I'm delighted you're my neighbor!