I wasn’t ready to move! I loved my house on a quiet street in NW DC with a deck, a large wisteria tree, beautifully landscaped yard and
a fish pond. So what was the problem? The bedroom and the bathroom were on the 2nd floor and I was having increasing difficulties handling steps. My wonderful brother-in-law, Patrick, volunteered to help me with my search for a new place.

Our first visit was next door to a shopping center and I couldn’t tell if the parking lot belonged to the mall or the building which looked like a hotel.

Next was a place right next to a huge data center! Another community had high gates—I wasn’t ready for grandma to be locked away!
One place was right next to the beltway and the patio looked onto the retaining wall!.

We visited a fancy building in downtown Rockville. I saw an apartment on the 7th floor. But I’m afraid of heights. Another place was converting trio Villas into duo Villas. The opening depended on moving current residents out. That was a bit too iffy. The last place I visited was Friends House. We saw the Harker apartments, the lodges and cottages. Patrick thought I’d like the Quaker way—
whatever that meant.

Miss E, Photo by Sally Mennel

I looked at my 20 inch stack of brochures and narrowed down my requirements: I’m afraid of heights so nothing above the 3rd floor. I need 2 exits and I don’t want to live in a hallway with many neighbors. I wanted 2 bedrooms and 2 baths. I needed a patio/balcony for me and my cat, Miss E. I wanted a campus with gardens and wildlife where I could live tranquilly, read books and watch the seasons change.

So, one weekend, I decided to write “deposits” for 3 places. That Monday, Maria called saying she had an opening in a lodge. It was just what I was looking for.

Now, as Miss E and I watch the snow melt, I know I made the right choice in making Friends House our new home! And plus, the people here are incredibly friendly and helpful making it an even better choice!