Birdseed. Edith fed the birds on the sidewalk outside her door. If fresh birdseed was out in the morning, Barry knew she was up and fine.
She also told stories, and they were remarkable. She said she had been a British spy in Nazi Germany and had met Adolf Hitler. She said the famous bandleader Benny Goodman was her cousin.
She said she had raised 27 war orphans. She said she spoke seven languages.