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Celebrating National Senior Independence Month at Harmony Court

Fri, 23 Feb 2024 01:39:01 GMT

Celebrating National Senior Independence Month at Harmony Court

Why Harmony Court is the Premier Choice for Independent Senior Living

As National Senior Independence Month approaches, Harmony Court proudly joins the celebration of empowering seniors to live life to the fullest. At Harmony Court, we understand the importance of maintaining independence and enjoying a vibrant lifestyle throughout one's golden years.

Discover Our Retirement Home for Active Seniors

Nestled in the heart of our community, Harmony Court stands as a beacon of comfort and tranquility for seniors seeking an enriching retirement experience. Our independent living center for seniors offers a range of amenities and services tailored to meet the diverse needs and interests of our residents.

A Vibrant Senior Living Community

Our senior living community fosters a warm and welcoming atmosphere where residents can thrive socially, emotionally, and physically. From engaging social activities to wellness programs and lifelong learning opportunities, Harmony Court provides a supportive environment for active seniors to pursue their passions and interests.

Spacious Senior Apartments

Experience the epitome of comfort and convenience in our thoughtfully designed senior apartments. Each residence boasts modern amenities and ample space to accommodate your lifestyle preferences. Whether you prefer a cozy studio or a spacious one-bedroom apartment, Harmony Court offers a variety of floor plans to suit your needs.

Exceptional Senior Housing Amenities

At Harmony Court, we believe in enriching the lives of our residents through exceptional amenities and services. From chef-prepared meals served in our elegant dining room to personalized housekeeping and transportation services, we strive to exceed expectations and provide peace of mind to our residents and their families.

Embrace Independent Living with Harmony Court

As we commemorate National Senior Independence Month, we invite you to discover the unparalleled comfort and convenience of independent senior living at Harmony Court.

Join our vibrant senior community and embrace a fulfilling lifestyle surrounded by like-minded individuals who share your zest for life.

Harmony Court stands as a testament to the joys of independent living for seniors. With our dedication to providing exceptional care, enriching amenities, and a vibrant community, we are proud to celebrate National Independent Living Month with our residents and their families.

Experience the Harmony Court difference and embark on a journey of independent living filled with comfort, companionship, and endless possibilities.

Coombs at the Court

Fri, 11 Feb 2022 20:50:28 GMT

Coombs at the Court

The January snowpeople have melted from our shelves. Ernie and Zelda’s ceramic groundhogs have gone back underground.

Now our shelves bloom in reds and pinks as Valentine’s Day nears.

Sweet tooth calling? Choose silver foil wrapped candy kisses from a lovely crystal dish on one shelf. Take a chocolate bar swathed in red wrappings from another. Stop to read a valentine card or poem nestled in lovely lace scarf.

It’s the seasons of love and giving. Of sharing cheery hellos in the hall. Of wine and cheese offerings from a laden cart stopping at our doors. It’s congratulations to a friend winning at bingo or scoring well at a game of cards. It’s the florist delivering a gorgeous bouquet from loved ones. God’s love surrounds us at chapel with Jane’s piano music and visiting pastor’s messages.

This is February at Harmony Court. A season that is fun, friendly, and full of life…and lots of love.

Gay Coombs

February 10, 2022

Deck The Shelves With...

Fri, 24 Dec 2021 17:17:23 GMT

Coombs at the Court

December 17, 2021

Deck the Shelves With…

Trees: Crystal trees reflecting the lights in the halls, green trees with treasured ornaments in their boughs, glass trees of stark unornamented beauty, and white trees with branches of pristine snow.

Snowmen: Fat, jolly, snow creatures with scarves, earmuffs, laughing faces, fat stomachs, fancy hats. Big snow ladies and little snow children.

Santa’s: Big, little, fat, happy, vintage Father Christmas figures, Santa’s carrying bags of toys, riding in a sleigh, all smiling to wish everyone a Happy Christmas.

Manger Scenes: Magnificent arrangements of holy figures and lowly figures, ceramic figures, olive wood creations, carved figures, and my own tiny Mary and Joseph figures dressed in faded cloth. They hover over a crepe paper manger cradling a sleeping baby Jesus. My 55-year-old Christmas treasure was created in a Sunday School class by my deceased daughter, Amy. Faded, ragged, unstable, crude, and humble, my creche is a tribute to Him who came to show us love so long ago.

Christmas Blessings to All

Gay Coombs

Harmony Court Thanksgiving 2021

Wed, 24 Nov 2021 17:25:36 GMT

Once again, I asked some Harmony Court residents to help with the November blog. Most of the responses are from new residents relating memories of Thanksgivings past. I hope you will enjoy reading them as you recall your own past Thanksgivings.

Jane Bos

Great memories surrounding Thanksgiving for our family was lots of food with everyone’s extended families, ending with coming to my home, enjoying fun and games depending on the weather. The best part was going to Omaha at Central Park and seeing animated characters in the water and surrounding areas on the grass and walking bridge, hearing songs from various people, seeing carriage rides, and hearing the mayor. From there we used to go to the Civic Center for the free ice skating shows and later to the Holland Center for holiday music.

Bert Fisher

My best Thanksgiving memory occurred on November 26, 1959. My soon to be husband bought me a plane ticket and flew me out to Vallejo, California. (I lived in Platt…South Nebraska) From there we drove with his sister and husband to Reno, Nevada where we got married. That will be 62 years with the same man next Friday, November 26, 2021. What a great life we have had.

Jean Guyett

Seventy-five years ago, my mother was about to give birth to her eighth baby. My five brothers and my sister and myself were all born at home, but the doctor said he wanted my mother to go to the hospital. It was Thanksgiving. My sister Doris cooked the turkey. She was 19. She also made the gravy. It was good, but pretty lumpy. We all called it “bean gravy”. It was a long time before every time we were served gravy, we all said, “Is it Doris’ bean gravy?”.

Joni Hall

As I look back to the most memorable Thanksgiving, this story was one I enjoyed most. I was around six years old. We were invited to my aunt and uncle’s house in Indiana. The only way we could travel with all of us was in our pickup truck. It was very cold out, so my dad borrowed a homemade camper shell that fit our truck perfectly.

My dad got the shell loaded onto the truck along with all the other stuff. Our last day at school was the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. We had a long 12-hour drive through the cold winter night. My two brothers and I were all covered up in the back of my folk’s truck and we slept all through the night, all nice and cozy and warm under all of our blankets. My sister was in the front with my parents as she was only around 2 years old, and it was too long of a ride for her to spend in the back with us.

We arrived at my aunt and uncle’s house early Thanksgiving morning. One thing that was special about our trip was my mom had cooked the turkey the day before and when we arrived at my aunt’s house, we were ready to eat turkey with all of my cousins in my aunt’s huge house. A lot of fun and excitement. The most memorable thing about this Thanksgiving was arriving safely in the back of the truck under blankets that kept us warm. Remind you this was just a wooden box made to fit the truck and no way to heat the back. Like nowadays camper boxes are warm with heat and air conditioning.

What a way to travel!

Dottie Jacox

I really remember Thanksgivings after I married, and we had the children. They would bring home things like turkeys they had colored and cut out and we would talk about the 1 ^st Thanksgiving that the people on the Mayflower had with the Indians. We would always go to church and thank God each year for what we had. One year my in laws came and my oven went out. So, we bought our first microwave oven, and it was big enough to bake the turkey! That was exciting for us. Growing up on a farm in Colorado, we didn’t remember having Thanksgiving or eating turkey.

Each year we spend with our children, we always go around the table and tell what we are thankful for too!

Nancy McConnell

Throughout our married years, Dave and I, and our family would attend the Thanksgiving service at church on Wednesday evening. We would always take food items to be given to the needy. Then on Thanksgiving Day, we would host the family feast using the china, crystal, silverware, and candles. At the end of the meal, the kids would dip their finger in the water in the goblet and then run it around the top of the goblet and it would make music. Each of us would share something we are thankful for.

Traditions are great

Lois Prather

When I was young, (maybe 4 to 7 years old) we had a housekeeper who was a member of a church that didn’t celebrate any special occasion other than family birthdays, so she was available to cook and serve our holiday dinners, but everyone pitched in to help. I had 2 very important (I thought) tasks. First, I helped prepare the Waldorf salad by slicing the grapes and scooping out the seeds. The knife was very sharp (I felt very grown up-very sharp knife-wow) and everyone who passed near me while I was seated at the breakfast nook table slicing and scooping said, “Be careful, Lois, don’t cut yourself.” Then task #2-just before everyone came to the dining room, I carried an ice filled glass bucket, about the size of a gallon ice cream carton, around the table and dropped 2 ice cubes in the water goblets at each place setting. The ice bucket had a silver handle, and the tongs were silver. Everyone who saw me icing the goblets said, “Be careful, Lois, don’t drop any ice or water on the table.”

JoAnn Sorensen

Thanksgiving memories…one word sums it up for me and that word is ‘family’. As long as I can remember, Thanksgiving was a day when the family got together for lots of good food, conversation, cards, and board games. As our family grew, children married, and had families, we still get together. The cell phones were left on the kitchen counter and the TV was not turned on. It truly was a day of fun. Our holiday would start around 10:30 am and end around 10:30 pm when everyone was full of food, had laughed, cried, and talked about the past year and was ready to go forward to another year. This year we will be getting together once again; however, it will not be the same because a very important person is in a better place. However, we know our missing person will be with all of us and smiling as he watches all the fun we are having. Have a Happy Thanksgiving and God bless.

Beth L. Fay

When I was a child, most of my Thanksgivings were alike in nearly every respect: the people present as well as the traditional Thanksgiving feast of a meal, cooked by my mother on our farm, which was about halfway between Des Moines and Omaha.

Given the almost dystopian aspect of current times because of the advent of coronavirus, its ironic that the very ordinariness of past Thanksgivings makes those times seem full of glory in every way.

Despite the many angst-ridden things about modern, Covid-tinted Thanksgivings, there is still much about which to be thankful, and a good deal of that, for Marv and me, directly connected to living at Harmony Court.

We are thankful for the friends we’ve made here, and for a dedicated staff that cares for us and inserts tremendous helpings of joy and laughter in our daily lives with the result that they feel like family - people who allow us to laugh along with them, and perhaps cry as well. We feel safe here. We feel the value of knowing we can be helpful to others, and the relief of knowing that if we need the same kind of help further down the road, we will not be left alone.

If Thanksgiving came with wishes, I would wish that the way the world is altered by this pandemic would bring about a better world somehow, and that we all have the stamina to survive the changes that will be necessary to get us to that better place. In the interim, I give thanks to God for you all because you have helped provide us with the means to survive, perhaps to see a beautiful new world that in every way compares with the beautiful old world.

November 23, 2021

Gay Coombs

Halloween 2021

Tue, 02 Nov 2021 16:52:46 GMT

Four beautiful witches came down my hall

Chattering, laughing, not scary at all.

They didn't fly on magic brooms

But rolled laden carts to all of our rooms.

One handed me blood in a frosty cup

Which tasted like punch as I began to sup.

Another one dressed in bewitching black

Gave me loads of candy in a colorful sack.

One drifted near all by herself

To lay pizza and treats of my waiting shelf.

One gave me a box with candy corn

And pretzels and warm, fresh popcorn.

They floated away as quickly as they came

And I cannot recall all to tell you their names.

But Neal and Pamela, Great Ghouls of a sort,

Made Halloween come to Harmony Court.

Gay Coombs

November 1, 2021

Coombs at the Court

Thu, 28 Oct 2021 17:40:24 GMT

Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.

1 Peter 4:10

We are retired stewards living at Harmony Court. Some people think we've put away our talents and are sitting back to rest. Not so! I look around at my fellow residents. Here are a few I've observed, still using their gifts to serve others.

Karen scurries up and down the halls bearing plates of freshly baked banana bread or oatmeal cake to give to others.

Chapel services are enhanced with the piano music of Joyce and Jane.

Gary and Ernie sort the 5:00 AM Non Pareil delivery at the front door and place each newspaper on the shelves of resident subscribers.

Nancy McConnell writes a prayer message for her church newsletter each week.

Crochet needles fly as Verla makes doilies and dishcloths while Terry's busy fingers crochet tiny hats for new babies at the hospital.

Need to scrub a sticky pan? Dottie makes sturdy pot scrubbers to give way.

Sharing expert Bible knowledge, Don conducts a Bible study class each week.

With a photographer's keen eye, Bert snaps photos of each resident to place in the handbook in the library.

There are only a few of the Harmony Court residents who, though retired, continue to serve others by using the gifts God has given them. Aren't we lucky to live among such talented people?

Gay Coombs

October 25, 2021

Root Beer Floats

Tue, 05 Oct 2021 19:46:18 GMT

Maxine Mether and I were visiting at the mailbox today.

"I saved my ice cream from lunch" she said. "Harmony Court has a happy hour to our door this afternoon. So I'm choosing root beer and making a root beer float for Happy Hour in my room!"

Later in the day, I heard the rattle of soda cans on a cart and a tap on my door. Three happy staff faces greeted me with a box of treats and asked if I'd like wine or pop. Spying a lone can of A&W still on the cart, I quickly chose it. Filling a tall glass with ice cream, I poured the fizzy soda over it and with a long spoon and a straw, began savoring my own root beer float. Thank you, Maxine, for the idea, I thought.

"Thank you, God, for Maxine," I prayed aloud. My soon to be 98 year old Harmony Court friend has inspired me so many times since I moved here. She possesses a wisdom enhanced by her faith and love of people. Before Covid, she, June Behrens and I met weekly for prayer and Bible Study. Maxine's knowledge of the Bible and interpretation of scripture shed new light on God's word for me. Her work experience as office manager for a doctor, deepened her compassion for those suffering. She has two fine sons who are devoted to her and she is so proud of them and their families. I enjoy our phone conversations as she reflects on this era with acceptance of the changing times. I am grateful for the wisdom of Maxine Mether and again thank God for her as I noisily sip the remaining dregs of my root beer float.

Gay Coombs

October 2,2021

A Song of September

proadAccountId-433307 — Sat, 11 Sep 2021 16:25:13 GMT

The mornings begin cooler now.

A lazy sun sleeps in a bit longer.

Looking from our balcony, the trees

Seem to be losing their vivid green

And a few show off yellow leaves

We know the Loess Hills

Will soon be flaming in color.

Inside, our shelves no longer

Boast of summer fun and sun.

Sunflowers and autumn leaves

Now take their place.

We continue activities

Behind our colorful masks

Still enjoying delicious meals

In the quiet of our rooms.

We smile at neighbors

And chat about the

Lovely days of autumn

And memories of other times.

Our days end with the

Early setting sun

Casting shadows over

The hills.

Welcome, September!

Gay Coombs

September 9, 2021

August at the Court

Tue, 17 Aug 2021 21:27:06 GMT

The flowers on our balcony are bursting out of their pots. How I love to sit out there with my book or with neighbors who generously planted and water the lovely flowers. The flag flutters in a warm August breeze and we remember the old song Lazy Days of Summer.

But inside, new neighbors are settling into Harmony Court apartments. Gloria thinks she finally has all her boxes unpacked. JoAnn directs traffic on second floor wing as her husband Jim practices driving his new scooter and mastering turns. Jean and her daughter shop to fill her pantry, as she delights in arranging her newly cleaned furniture. Up in her corner aerie, Dottie gazes from her 3rd floor living room window at the forest of trees in the Loess Hills, anticipating the fall colors of the leaves. Nancy is joining us for meals as she gets acquainted in her Harmony Court home. We welcome and enjoy meeting new friends.

The redecorated chapel holds two services each week. A wine and cheese party calls for food and fun. I love the popcorn and movie night with some great shows on the big screen. Lori sets up activity in the afternoons to encourage our creativity. Don invites us to Bible Study every Tuesday. And there is usually Dominoes or a card game going needing a fourth. What delicious cake comes out of the kitchen for our monthly birthday party celebrating residents' birthdays of that month, but shared by all who like sweets, a cup of coffee, and a challenging game Lori presents.

We can be as busy as we want, or snooze in our own rooms in air conditioned comfort. No 'dog days of summer here' at Harmony Court.

Sea Glass and Seaweed

Tue, 10 Aug 2021 19:01:54 GMT

My niece, Roberta, collects sea glass. She picks up lovely pieces when she is on an ocean shore. But most of her finds are on the beaches of inland lakes which makes them technically beach glass. The shards of broken jars and bottles are smoothed and honed to works of art, taking from 40 to 100 years.

Recently, my daughter, Ann, shared a lovely poem which likened life to sea glass. The author wished to become polished, with hard edges softened, to beautify with age. It reminded me that I have been a part of shaping Ann into a beautiful person, lovely as a piece of sea glass. I wrote this for her.

Sea Glass and Seaweed

Ann Caroline

You are the sea glass

I was the seaweed

polishing and smoothing

your edges so you could

become as lovely

as a treasured piece of sea glass

Tossed in a current

by shifting winds

I have found rest

on a sandy shore

Dried shriveled by the sun

I will soon be hauled away

to mulch new life

somewhere on another shore

I was the seaweed

honing you into the

beautiful sea glass you are.

Mother

Privilege

Thu, 08 Jul 2021 21:03:21 GMT

The cracks and booms, the sparkles and explosions, and the acrid scent of gunpowder have drifted away this morning. Birds are once again chirping and dogs are at rest. Sitting on the balcony, my thoughts wander to the why of it all...and I come up with one word: privilege.

I was privileged to be born into a farm family. A place where fields and spaces were mine to explore. A gentle father and a wise mother, and three big sisters and one little brother.

I was privileged to walk freely on the streets of our little town. To hear the municipal band play Stars and Stripes forever for the Saturday night band concert in the courthouse square. I walked safely to country school through green pastures where my only fear was the bull behind the secure fence or a wriggling snake in my path.

I was privileged to study at a teacher's college with jobs to help my scholarship for tuition. Many thirty five cents an hour jobs: serving in the college cafeteria, setting type for wedding invitations and napkins in a print shop, making malts at a drug store soda fountain, running a switchboard as a receptionist at a theatrical costumers (with complimentary tickets to summer stock productions!) counseling all one summer at a girl's camp, bookkeeping for a night club and finally becoming a teacher in a small Iowa town.

I was privileged to meet and marry a wonderful man and make our home among friends. Two beautiful daughters enhanced my life and have since enriched my days with three delightful grandchildren. I was privileged to spend thirty summers on a clear, blue water lake where I could swim off our dock any time of day or night.

I was privileged to choose a religion where likeminded worshippers gathered in a church with open doors. I served on a board for a library where books were free to all, uncensored with unlimited checkout numbers. I voted in local elections and also voted for national leaders I trusted to lead out country with wisdom and integrity. I was privileged to speak freely in meetings, clubs, at dinner parties and with others, always tempering my opinions while respecting the words of those people.

So as I sit in the soft breeze on the Harmony Court balcony, I watch the flag of the United States of America (one waves from every balcony here) as it waves gently in the July breeze. It is ever a symbol of the many privileges I've known through the years. May it ever fly as a reminder to each citizen of this great land, that we are the most privileged people in the world. God Bless America!

Gay Coombs

July 6, 2021

Almost Normal!

Thu, 15 Apr 2021 15:54:33 GMT

An 'almost normal' day yesterday!!

Tablecloths were once again swishing in the laundry room machines cleaning our spills and stains from Wednesday dinner.

I dusted my furniture in preparation for Housekeeping. Did you hear me play a tune or two on my piano? (My Saturday chore as a child was to dust and Mother never scolded when I dawdled at the piano to play some songs. Practice?)

Meeting old friends at a table for three in the dining room brought joy and laughter and 'catching up'. And a delicious meal!

Sherry and Roxanne brought their vacuum and mop into my apartment in the afternoon for the first housekeeping service in months. They politely made no comment on my poor housekeeping in the interim!

Later, Don welcomed us on 3rd floor for Bible Study. How wisely he had arranged the tables so that each of us had our own table and chair to begin study of St. Peter. Prayers were shared for so many we have been concerned about in the past months. And so many joys too! We are feeling blessed.

How is your 'almost normal'? Returning to some of our schedules and activities here at Harmony Court seems wonderfully normal. We are vaccinated, wearing our masks, and keeping our distance but gradually easing into our Old Normal! Welcome Normal!

Coombs at the Court

Thu, 01 Apr 2021 21:58:43 GMT

The balcony tables and chairs are in place! When I stepped out early this morning, I was greeted by the awesome music of birdsong. The Eastern sky was blazing with the promise of a spectacular sunrise to come. Spring! And a new day at Harmony Court.

And a new month! April will bring a return to the dining room for meals... we are so excited about that. Just the prospect of seeing old friends and smiling unmasked as we sip our coffee and once more eat at tables with one another. Family members who have vaccine cards for proof of immunity can once more visit us. The shelves that held the green of St. Patrick's Day are now filled with pink, yellow, and blue Easter eggs and religious themes. Granddaughter Ella stopped after Palm Sunday church service to give me a cross she fashioned out of a palm frond. That is on my shelf now.

No April Fool. Just wonderful promises of new adventures as the long pandemic seems abating. Easter Blessings to all as spring and new hope emerge.

Happy Easter

Gay

Coombs at the Court

lemaster@digitalproductsuite.com — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 10:47:22 GMT

Coombs at the Court

Thanksgiving 2020

My Harmony Court friends wrote this Thanksgiving blog for me. How graciously each one responded with words of memory of their youthful holiday. I transcribe the stories below with wishes that you will appreciate their memories as much as I have.

Liane Bintz: Naper, Nebraska
We never had a Thanksgiving meal at my grandmother's little four room house that would fit in my apartment with room to spare, in Naper, Nebraska. It was just the 5 of us and the dog. We probably had chicken or a duck. We finally had a turkey when I was in my teens, but still just the 5 of us. Now Thanksgiving is me and my 6 children and their families but never all at once and I am the leader of the pack. Parents and brothers are all gone.

Eva Rhodes: Northeastern Kansas 1940's and 50's years
Growing up as a child in the 40's and 50's, I remember the drive to my Aunt and Uncle's farm near Clay Center, Kansas for Thanksgiving dinner.
Living on a farm, my Aunt Goldie was the best worlds cook. When she set a table to sit down to, it was more like a buffet..
She always had prepared more than one of any dish. I remember the rich creamed peas, homemade butter, breads, pies, even ice cream. All of the fresh vegetables that were grown in their garden. Even the turkey that was served on her table came from their farm land.
We always left the farm with a happy, wonderful experience and a satisfied feeling.
My Aunt had to have worked very hard for days for that wonderful meal.
Oh my how times have changed.

Randall Smallridge: Abilene, Texas
Boy picking one Thanksgiving over all is impossible. As a kid, we spent almost every holiday at Grandma's or Granny's house. Not to knock Grandma, but Granny cooked everyone under the table, and I was grateful that we would go to both places to eat. But if I had to picl one year, it was in '88 or maybe '85. My Grandpa (Papa) was a carpenter, a upholsterer, a general do everything person and when we got to the house the kitchen floor and driveway had been torn out. "If you want to eat, we got to put this all back together."

So half the family put in the floor and the other laid concrete for the day. (I laid concrete) When we finished Papa had us all sign the wet concrete. Halfway through the day Grandma brought us Tuna Sandwiches. I loved Tuna Sandwiches. This was a tradition as every holiday we were over at the house by 9:00 am, we kids would play in the yard. (In Texas the weather was always good on Thanksgiving.) Lunch time was Tune, by 3 or 4 o'clock all the older folks showed up. We then would play cards (Pop Corn or 31 for money.) Great Grandma was a cheat little lady, would lean way back to yawn to get a look at your cards. Grandma would say " What, I'm just a bit tired." No one took the card game more serious than Great Grandma and Papa, even if it was only 75 cents you lost. After cards Grandma, Mom and her sisters set the food out and we spread out to eat. After that the football game came on and the kids would take off again. Many of them are gone now and Grandma is the only grandparent left with us. She don't cook much and I haven't had a family gathering like that in a long time...but I am grateful that I did.

Jim Christiansen: NE Montana
As a young person growing up surrounded by extended family, we would spend holidays either at my maternal grandparent's or at another of the relatives. While dinners were the usual turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, etc. However the meals always started with homemade chicken noodle soup. This was homemade including the noodles. The soup also included "butter balls." These are walnut sized balls of bread crumbs, melted butter and seasoning that are part of the Germans from Russia tradition. I miss them a lot.

Ilene Kalstrup: Audubon, Iowa
Thanksgiving was a fun time during my childhood in grade school age. My Mother came from a Big family with 9 siblings. They would take turns hostessing the Thanksgiving dinner. Turkey and all the trimmings. One time our family didn't get to go because us kids had the measles. A big disappointment.
It was so much fun seeing my cousins and playing with the,. Every year brings back memories. Thanksgivings were wonderful.

Jean Pentico: Friend, Nebraska
I grew up during the drought and depression of the 30's. We ate what we raised usually not turkey. We lived in 7 and 1/2 mils from town. My grandparents lived across the road. When they put extra leaves in the dining room table there were eight to twelve of us there for Thanksgiving.

Thanks to all of my harmony Court friends for sharing memories of other Thanksgiving days. Ours will be different this year. But we have memories and faith of better days ahead. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
Gay

Library Loves

lemaster@digitalproductsuite.com — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 10:51:49 GMT

Library Loves

Leon Public Library

Saturday afternoon in town! The joy of a little schoolgirl being dropped off at the library while Daddy took the cream and eggs to the produce house and then shopped for groceries! Oh, the shelves filled with adventures. I could choose only one book (country kids were limited) so I was careful. Finally, I laid my choice on Mrs. Stout's desk to watch her open the cover, slip the card from the yellow card holder envelope and write my name on it, stamp it with the due date and put it in her card box, stamp the due date on the card in my book, and at last give it to me to take home. How I loved the musty, dusty smell of that Carnegie gift to our town!

Eckles Memorial Library

A gift to Oakland from a former school superintendent and book lover, I was privileged to sit on the board for thirty years and check out the bagsful of books for my classroom and myself. No limit to the number to check out there!

Spirit Lake Public Library

My summer reading joy! I shelved books, sat on the Friends board, and read to children during the Friday Story Hour. And checked out dozens of books for my family and me. What better way to spend a rainy day at the lake?

Harmony Court Library

What a lovely room for the residents to enjoy. Zelda keeps the shelves current with both large and small print books. She fills the magazine rack with up to date reading material. And even the coffee table entices with her selection of seasonal books. Oh, and for the picture puzzlers, two tables always hold a challenge of endless pieces to fit into a fun picture. Two huge, cushy chairs beckon for a snuggle up time to read under a warm lamp. And two couches are just big enough for social distancing conversation some lonesome afternoons. I love our library!

Council Bluffs Public Library

What a wonderful service: The Homebound delivery of tapes, CDs, and books! Our friend at the city library, Ali, is a wonder. She looks at the information paper we filled out for her and chooses exactly the items that fulfill our wishes. Each month a blue bag of treasure arrives at Harmony Court for each of us who signed up for the service. Remember Forrest Gump likening life to a box of chocolates? Well for me that blue bag is like his box of chocolates… I don’t know what to choose to read first. I am never sure if I will like the taste. But most of the time when I bite into that first page, I’m hooked and ever thankful to Ali for satisfying my taste!

Love the libraries of my life!

Gay Coombs

An Unusual Party

lemaster@digitalproductsuite.com — Mon, 19 Oct 2020 10:53:07 GMT

An Unusual Party

How do you hold a party for 100 people during a pandemic? You take the party to them.

It began Friday afternoon with delicious scents in the air drifting out of the Harmony Court kitchen. Soon a knock at our doors announced some spooks with a beverage cart, pouring a Witches Brew. Then a spook came delivering a box of pizza, a box of spinach, and another box of cookies and a cupcake topped with mounds of orange buttercream icing.

We had been asked to prop our door open, pull up a chair and sit in the doorway after eating that savory supper. All was quiet in my hall as neighbors, wearing masks that hid their expectations, appeared in their doorways. It was eerily quiet as we greeted one another our eyes questioning but out smiles hidden.

Suddenly the sound of a blowhorn/siren pierced the air. Neal, dressed as a sheriff, warned of masked creature appearing in Council Bluffs. Then a huge Monster Mask started down the hall with an entourage of quite frightening characters. A rousing song was playing s they danced merrily, pausing at each door to not a scary greeting to each of us. They sang and danced, delighting us with colorful costumes and intricate steps to the music. It was over too soon, and the scary though happy creatures were gone to another hallway to perform.

It was the first time I have ever had a party come to me. What a lot of planning and work it was for the staff to fete us for a Halloween Treat. After the halls were quiet again, I found that the party was not quite over. There was a big bag of candy and treats left (on my shelf) to remind me that the Harmony Court Owners, management and staff really care about us and find ways to make us happy during the Corona Virus.

Happy Halloween!

Gay Coombs

On My Shelf

lemaster@digitalproductsuite.com — Fri, 02 Oct 2020 10:54:54 GMT

On My Shelf

Outside each resident's hall door at Harmony Court is a shelf. During this time of isolation and non-socializing, my shelf has been a joy that no architect ever dreamed of when designing this building.

An early morning knock on my door indicates that a hot breakfast is now...on my shelf.

Friend Sharon is a cookie baker princess. Sometimes I find an assortment of her delicious treats...on my shelf.

Once a month when the city library delivers our bags of books, Zelda will set my new selections...on my shelf.

Special occasions, birthdays, and Christmas bring bright cards...on my shelf.

A noontime knock on my door announces hot food and cool dessert are waiting for me...on my shelf.

Maxine shares her daily paper with me. So, mid-afternoon I'll hear a rustling at my door as she leaves the Nonpareil...on my shelf.

When I walk down my hall, I sometimes inhale the delicious scent of baking coming from Karen's apartment. I'm sure a thick slab of banana bread will later appear...on my shelf.

Word searches, brain teasers, news from management, and monthly menu sheets are left...on my shelf.

A tap on my door lets me know that a brown bag of Friday afternoon treats or a box of popcorn are being left...on my shelf.

Amazing how such a small architectural detail can bring such pleasure as my shelf!

Gay Coombs

Coombs at the Court

lemaster@digitalproductsuite.com — Fri, 25 Sep 2020 10:57:08 GMT

Coombs at the Court

First Day of School...Then

The pasture grass was brown and stiff that September morning as I walked happily in my oxfords, also brown and stiff, and pinching my toes a bit after summer freedom. Mother had just last night finished hemming my new dress made from a lovely, daisy print, feed sack material. The bow at the end of my pigtails matched nicely. In my arms, was a heavy brown paper bag with a new box of 8 sharp pointed crayons, a pencil with an eraser and a Big Chief tablet. I wasn't sure what Mother had packed in my new red lunch pail, but I was extra careful not to drop it and break the glass liner in the thermos bottle clipped in the lid. Last week, Daddy had taken me to the Decatur Country Court House where the county superintendent's office held shelves of books to rent for each grade in the country schools. So, in my bag were the reading, math, health and geography books for the year. I could hardly wait to explore the pages of adventure each held. (The math book not so much!)

South White Oak country school was erected on a corner of Daddy's field. It was a one room building with three windows on each of the West and East sides. Set on a hill, it was bright and airy, pleasant and comfortable. Daddy had build a stile into the fence so that I could easily climb over into the schoolyard each day. My footsteps slowed as I reached the stile, anxious to start the year with a new teacher, but a bit frightened too.

The South door was open and I saw the new teacher. Oh, she was beautiful. And so kind. She helped me find a desk, put my lunch pail on a shelf, and left me to unpack and store everything else in my desk. After all 13 students from kindergarten to eighth grade were at their desks, Miss Sellers rand a brass bell on her desk.

The first day of school started!

Coombs at the Court

lemaster@digitalproductsuite.com — Tue, 11 Aug 2020 10:58:51 GMT

Coombs at the Court

Traveling

We were off on adventures last week! Did you miss us?

Monday: Kailey, dressed in a gorgeous native tunic, took us to Morocco where she has visited. She shared pictures and stories of that beautiful country in North Africa, while treating us to couscous and Morocco tea. We are anxious to hear of another visit she has planned to attend her sister's wedding in Morocco.

Tuesday: We were off to the Big Apple to visit the Statue of Liberty and learn about the sidewalks of New York. Of course, Cheesecake was the treat of the afternoon. Many of us took the mic and shared our own New York adventures.

Wednesday: Dissonance filled the air as Chinese music greeted us. Dressed in kimonos, Kailey and Pamela tutored us in the Chinese alphabet, written and hanging on cards over the display. Pamela regaled us with a rousing take in her expressive Chinese language. What did she say??? A carryout box with egg roll and a fortune cookie was our treat.

Thursday: Off to county music adventures in Nashville today. Kailey stumped us with a quiz. Pamela played a snippet of a country music song and we tried to name the song and the artist. Some of us had previous adventures in Nashville so we shared those as we nibbled on Moon Pies.

Friday: Mariachi music filled the room when we climbed aboard for our final adventure in Mexico. Our chef's Randall and Margaret at their station, prepared tacos and salsa for us. Ending our week of travels was a beautiful monologue by Pamela. We heard her true and heartfelt story of life with John as they traveled and experienced a large part of the United States and Mexico. I was personally left with knowledge that, like Pamela, we should always remember and be thankful for our blessings in the abundance of the life we live in the United States AND right her at Harmony Court.

Thank you to all who made our traveling adventures entertaining, educational, delicious and delightful.

Gay Coombs

Dawn

lemaster@digitalproductsuite.com — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 11:00:27 GMT

Dawn

Sunrise ribbons stretched

Across the Eastern sky

Newborn hues of nursery

Pinks and blues

Out on the balcony

I stretched out my arms

To untie the streamers

Opening God's gift

Of a bright new day

Gay Coombs

July at the Court

lemaster@digitalproductsuite.com — Fri, 10 Jul 2020 11:02:06 GMT

July at the Court

We are like little children in a classroom waiting for recess. Restless. Impatient. Anxious to be free on the playground of our city...like the children at recess holding hands in a circle of dodge ball or in a huddle on the soccer field, arms around each other.

But the recess bell is silent. So we anticipate the mailman, the knock on the door announcing breakfast or dinner, the voice of our family on the phone.

In the office, Neal and Pamela are caring for us following the CDC guidelines as they try to keep us safe. They create diversions: A personal cocktail hour with wine and cheese delivered to our door, a scavenger hunt, daily personal challenges for us and popcorn to our door on Friday movie night in our rooms.

Up and down the hallways and common areas the staff cleans and sanitizes constantly. Our phone calls and questions are always patiently answered by Kailey and Drake.

Perhaps the staff is as restless as we are, accepting the limited time with friends and family. Together, we wait for the recess bell to ring, freeing us from COVID-19. But, how awesome to have this time together at Harmony Court, smiling at one another behind our masks, knowing we are safe and secure. The bell will ring someday.

Gay Coombs

Coombs at the Court

Charisma

lemaster@digitalproductsuite.com — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 11:04:55 GMT

Charisma

On red clover scented mornings

When the dawning hour

Lay just beyond the fence row,

He took some pink from the daybreak sky

For a new calf's cry.

When the wind grew restless

He opened the gates

And set it free

To thunder across pastures rich and green

Dew splashed clean.

He laughed at the rain clouds

Threatening his cut alfalfa

And caught the drops by handsful

To sprinkle on the sunflowers head

By the machine shed.

He gathered rainbows

And stuffed them in the pockets

Of his striped, bibbed overalls,

Then gave them all away to a little girl

With brown curls.

When he danced the milk

Into a tin bucket at chore time

He saved the tune,

And whistled it back to the sliding sun

When day was done.

Gay Coombs

Decoration Day

lemaster@digitalproductsuite.com — Tue, 26 May 2020 11:08:35 GMT

Decoration Day

The Chevy was backed up to the well curb. The trunk was open to receive jugs of fresh pumped water. Mason jars of feathery, purple iris and bright red and pink peonies were filled with a sweet scent. The eternal May question: "Will the peonies be open by Decoration Day or Will the peonies be wilted and gone?" Usually they were just right. A picnic lunch was packed and stored in the back seat of the car. Dressed in our Sunday clothes and shoes, we scrambled into the car, vying for a window seat.

Decoration Day in the 1940's

At the Leon cemetery, Mother filled the jars of flowers with water and lovingly placed them over on Stover graves, while Daddy pulled errant weeds from around the headstones. There were many graves with fresh dirt piled high holding bouquets of flowers. Some were crudely marked with temporary headstones awaiting permanent marble stones with the birth and death dates and names of the military lives sacrificed in World War II. It was a sobering time.

Loading into the car again, Daddy would drive the Pleasanton road through springtime sun on growing corn and green pastures. At the Hamilton cemetery, we found the impressive Davis headstone. There my Mother placed jars of flowers in memory of her own parents. Again we were haunted by those fresh piles of Decatur County dirt reminding us of those who would not return home other than to this place.

Daddy would find a quiet glen near the 'old home place' where Mother spread a blanket and laid out the picnic lunch. Memories and stores might be shared as we munched on cold fried chicken and bread and butter sandwiches. One of the jugs of water wrapped in burlap was still cold and delicious with that lunch. It was so quiet and peaceful that Daddy might stretch out for a nap as Mother repacked left-overs and we explored the fresh May afternoon picking wild violets.

Now, it is Memorial Day 2020. And though the name and date have changed, we continue to honor those who left us in memory and with gratitude for lives lived and who died for our country.

Gay Coombs

Coombs at the Court

May 25, 2020

Coombs at the Court

lemaster@digitalproductsuite.com — Tue, 19 May 2020 11:12:25 GMT

Coombs at the Court

When I was student teaching, my morning started with a dash across campus to The Commons to pick up a sack lunch, catch the city bus and greet those second graders at school by 8:00. That energetic group kept me busy with studies, recess duty and PE games. So that by lunch time I was eager for food. As the children settled in their desks with their Hopalong lunch pails, syrup pails and sack lunches, I was ready for the surprise in my own brown bag. Well no surprise. I pulled out the routine lunch meat sandwich on white bread. There were carrot sticks with an apple. That was it. Maybe a cookie once in a while. But my brown bag lunch left me hungry.

Today, when a knock came at my door here at Harmony Court, I wondered what would be delivered in a brown paper sack for Wednesday's lunch. First, I pulled out a Styrofoam cup of vegetable beef soup. Then, a small bag of potato chips. Digging deeper there was a foil wrapped turkey, cheese, tomato sandwich on a croissant. Tucked in beside that were packets of mustard and mayonnaise. Lastly, I pulled out a plastic wrapped pair of huge chocolate chip cookies. In yet another container was a macaroni salad. What a feast!

Looking at my lunch today and thinking of the contents of the paper sack lunch at college, I try not to compare. Styrofoam containers were unheard of then. I'm not even sure we had saran wrap. And I'd never heard of a croissant. Potato chips only came in huge sacks. So I tried to feel blessed that I even had a lunch those days long ago as I watched the children with meager lunches and no cookies. And today I feel extremely blessed to live at Harmony Court where the best chef ever, fills my paper sack with overflowing riches. Thank you Randall and Staff!!

I love brown bag Wednesday!

~Gay Coombs

Post Title

lemaster@digitalproductsuite.com — Tue, 12 May 2020 11:23:05 GMT

Post Title

I have some things to talk about

Even tho' I'm kinda old;

My aches and pains are part of me

At least that's what I'm told.

Harmony closed the dining room

The meals will come to you;

Cleaning ladies no longer enter

Our card games are all thru,

Now my spouse needs a waitress,

A maid and cleaner who

Will set the table and clean it up

And do the dishes, too

A woman's work is never done?

I'm supposed to be retired

I worked my jobs and raised my kids

Now once again, I'm hired!!

I can't complain, it's for our good

The staff is just the best

They gave us masks and keep us clean

They want us in our nests.

I'll be so glad to see it end

And come and go once more

At least for now, I'll go along

And won't go near the store.

I'll do without us going out

And eat our meals at home

I'll visit from six feet away

And utilize my phone.

So wear your masks and glove your hands

Tho' it keeps your smile so hidden;

But keep that twinkle in your eye

Cause it's all that's not forbidden!

~Sharon O'Hara

The Walk

lemaster@digitalproductsuite.com — Tue, 21 Apr 2020 11:24:52 GMT

The Walk

I saw you in the hall today

I think 'twas you, I cannot say

Because the mask hid your usual smile

We didn't linger for a while

Nor try to engage in idle talk

But wave and continue on our walk

But through our masks, soft and low

We had said a muffles 'hello'

No hug or handshake as we part

Going on our way six feet apart

I enter my quiet room alone

And hurry to the telephone

Oh, yes, it was you I saw

In the very quiet and lonely hall

Thank you, God, I'm not alone

Because my friends and I can telephone!

Gay Coombs

Write a Poem?

lemaster@digitalproductsuite.com — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 11:27:30 GMT

Write a Poem?

Write a poem? But what could I say?

There's not much going on at the end of the day.

Wash your hands 20 seconds or more.

My hands are so dry, they could get quite sore.

Must wear your mask, can't go out to eat.

To visit a friend, stay away 6 feet.

I want to stay happy, even try to laugh.

So I'll just say thanks to the workers and staff

Who keep us all fed and real disinfected too

We are so very thankful for all that you do.

June Behrens

Coombs at the Court

lemaster@digitalproductsuite.com — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 11:32:58 GMT

Coombs at the Court

A bright yellow bouquet of daffodils was delivered to me yesterday in a 6 foot handoff at the front door. Accompanied by my granddaughter's beautiful smile, those flowers signaled so much hope that I was prompted to write a few words.

HOPE
"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1
While we at Harmony Court await the future of this pandemic in which we are living, there is hope in every corner.

Gifted residents with their sewing machines created bright masks for every one of us. We can still leave our rooms, (wearing our masks) to get our mail and greet one another with a muffled hello, (six feet apart!) Our TVs bring news, old sitcoms, game shows and movies. Emails herald greetings from old friends and family. My cell phone pings that a text from my daughter awaits. Our mailboxes indicate that letter writing is not a lost art as bright cheery cards and notes fill our boxes. A rap on my door every morning and again at noon announces the arrival of a hot meal on my shelf, delivered by our gracious servers. How I look forward to my online Scrabble games with an old friend in Arizona wondering if she can get home from her winter in Sun City. And, OH, the telephone!!! Our lines are busy all day as we phone each other sharing laughs, frustrations, and friendship.

Neal and Pamela are doing everything possible to keep us safe and well. We thank them and their awesome staff. Harmony Court hallways may be silent, the dining room dark and activities ceased, but everywhere there is hope. Hope for a tomorrow of normalcy. Hope in the bouquet of yellow daffodils in the antique vase on my cedar chest coffee table.

Gay Coombs