Taken while sitting on bench on other side of this railing.
Another vantage point. Could not see this homeless woman's face. She was looking down and to the side, busy writing. I believe she is the woman I called "The Umbrella Lady". I considered going over to talk to her to find out. My Umbrella Lady used to spend days on another bench along Ocean Blvd. I would skate or walk by, smile hello; she would not respond. Ever after gave her privacy.
That Umbrella Lady and I slept in the same area during street living days. Still no smiles, conversations or even hellos. Until the day her umbrellas were giving her trouble in the strong wind and I helped her. First and only time we spoke. She and I were both early risers; I would be walking by as she was packing up all the umbrellas she used all around her to create shelter from elements, and I guess, prying eyes.
I did know this woman's name. She was with the MHA-Village for a while. Back on the streets she was arrested due to neighbor complaints about her ever presence on that same old bench. Could not locate the Spit and Argue article about it online. All her possessions were trashed ~ irreplaceable photos, letters, legal papers; gone. All because some newcomer to Long Beach was offended by the site of this gentle lady.
My Umbrella Lady is one of those rare long-term homeless. I am quite sure she is the same one in photographs.
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