Saying good-bye to Luan

 Next Saturday we'll be saying our final good-byes (for now) to Luan Zangmeister who died on April 16, 2026.  We were fellow members of UALC for about 5 decades. I recall poking my head in the room where she and helpers assembled the UALC newsletter, many chats in the halls, Sunday school classes after first service and our Thursday senior Bible studies. We watched her children and grandchildren grow up. Her son Jim was the "lucky" camp counselor when our daughter broke her arm at horse camp, and he was Phil's guitar teacher.  I remember her kindness when she sent us cards and notes when our son Phil had cancer. 

A memorial service will be held at Upper Arlington Lutheran Church, 2300 Lytham Rd., at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2026. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. The Reverend Paul Ulring will officiate.

  

Luan Zangmeister Obituary (1933 - 2026) - Columbus, OH - Southeast Messenger

Take your child to work day, April 23, 2026

Take your child to work day. They are interviewing kids on Fox & Friends about this event. One little girl said she had no idea what her dad's job is, but she's going to work with him. Said she's looking forward to spending more time with him. Hmm. Sounds like he needs some time with the kids at home, too.

I can't remember not knowing what my father's job was. In fact, he wasn't happy when I was in 3rd grade and it was a class project. I drew a picture of him standing in front of his big red truck with a 5 o'clock shadow. He was already out working by the time I left for school, so I must have drawn what I saw in the evening. Also, occasionally my brother and I rode along with him. I thought it was a special treat, but maybe my mom was just busy?

Spring art show at The Estates

Here at the Estates on Friday evening Bob had a small (and brief--3 hours) one artist show. Most paintings were from our apartment, but three came from the storage shelves at our daughter's home. Two were new this year. Champagne and hors d'oeuvres were served. What you see on the walls hangs in the lobby, not the show. It was very popular with our neighbors and people are still talking about it and which was their favorite. Lots of variety. Pheasants in the snow. Santa Marie Fishing boat. Aarni washing potatoes in the lake. Bicycles in Lakeside. Phil Bruce. Young Haitian woman. Abby reading. Andy docked on Lake Erie. Verde River, Arizona. Indian woman with veil. Jack sailing Webb 3. Southern Ohio barn. Ireland Plateau. Pavilion in Snow at Lakeside. Stockbridge, Scotland, Leith River.

  

  

Celebrating 250 years with the USPS

A special postage stamp appeared in July 2025, but I hadn't shopped for stamps for a while and hadn't seen it. Today I bought a sheet celebrating USPS, "250 years of Delivering" issue. I admit, I was baffled by the message (of the art). I could see a town/neighborhood, seasons of the year, clothing that did not identify as female, vehicles/vans, birds, dogs, cats, black employees, no automobiles, people gardening and having summer activities on rooftops of buildings, babies and children, and a few businesses that could be a bookstore or a restaurant. One thing was clear; in this make believe town square there was a statue of a pony express rider. I looked at a couple of websites for an explanation and this video sort of explains it. https://youtu.be/0rfif1Lv7c0?si=pnPSzqgyZVMOgCxr It is following one current black female employee through time in the U,S. She's the only person in the art that is clearly a woman. Or even whose ethnicity is clear. It's why you see no changes in our life and culture except the models of the mail vans. Not even the clothing changes--not even ADA rules for handicap access (the ramps have no railings).

Qoheleth in today's words of Justices of SCOTUS

 What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.  Ecclesiastes 1:9 (Qoheleth) Listen up, Democrats.

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has given a stirring speech about the dangers and weaknesses of "progressivism" (aka Marxism) pointing to Woodrow Wilson and speaks directly to the likes and emotional appeals of Justice Ketanji Brown who relies on current cultural trends, and lower courts to draw policy and legal opinions. She and other progressives are opposed to the ideas of the Declaration of Independence. That is not the purpose of SCOTUS. She's an embarrassment. 

"Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas on Wednesday delivered a televised broadside against progressivism, a political philosophy he described as an existential threat to America and the principles that founded it 250 years ago.

“Progressivism seeks to replace the basic premises of the Declaration of Independence and hence our form of government,” Thomas said in a speech at the University of Texas Austin Law School pegged to the nation’s upcoming milestone birthday.

A spirit of “cynicism, rejection, hostility and animus” toward America -- by Americans -- has taken hold, Thomas said in remarks carried live on CSPAN." ABC News

Justice Clarence Thomas Says Progressivism at Odds with Declaration of Independence Principles | Video | C-SPAN.org

The Clarence Thomas Lecture at The University of Texas at Austin

"Qoheleth in the Book of Ecclesiastes emerges as a regal, wise, and deeply reflective figure-almost certainly Solomon, based on the robust internal and historical testimony. This Teacher convenes his audience through the text to examine life’s meaning and embrace the reality that all human pursuits find fulfillment only when rooted in reverence for God.

Ecclesiastes thus stands as a potent portion of biblical Wisdom Literature, shining throughout history and into the present day. The identity of Qoheleth reminds readers that even the greatest king with unmatched riches, fame, and intellect must ultimately conclude that life’s genuine purpose is found in acknowledging and fearing the Lord, who created all things and to whom everyone must give account." Bible Hub

He Found It

When I got to the dining room at The Estates for breakfast today, the early risers were all a flutter. Chairs pulled out, people searching. One man had lost a hearing aid. Someone turned on her phone flashlight, others were patting his clothing, another was looking through the sugar packets. He had to leave to catch the taxi (he still works), so after he was gone, I suggested we pray about it. I asked Ginny to lead us in prayer--she's the daughter of a missionary, a Baptist and goes to Bible study here. So, she started. And she barely got "Dear Lord" out, when someone stuck her head in the door and said He Found It. It was inside his belt buckle.

Edna St. Vincent Millay -- a favorite

 My friend Joan has recently lost her husband and has reposted this poem--always a favorite of mine since college.

Time Does Not Bring Relief.

Time does not bring relief; you all have lied
Who told me time would ease me of my pain!
I miss him in the weeping of the rain;
I want him at the shrinking of the tide;
The old snows melt from every mountain-side,
And last year’s leaves are smoke in every lane;
But last year’s bitter loving must remain
Heaped on my heart, and my old thoughts abide.
There are a hundred places where I fear
To go,—so with his memory they brim.
And entering with relief some quiet place
Where never fell his foot or shone his face
I say, “There is no memory of him here!”
And so stand stricken, so remembering him.

Analysis of Time does not bring relief; you all have lied - Poemotopia