Quote from Outside the Design Museum

Though human genius in its various inventions with various instruments answer the same end, it will never find an invention more beautiful or more simple or direct than nature,  because in her inventions, nothing is lacking and nothing is superfluous.         Leonardo da Vinci

London Design Museum

My son in law drove us to the door and let us off for a quick tour of inventions which have been nominated for design awards in many different fields.     How "Posh" to have a driver through the traffic and dropped off right in front of our destination!

Among the entries were:
- a keyless keyboard with silicone touch which has a grand piano sound
- a mobile phone with snap in components so it can be upgraded without having to throw
    the entire phone away
- a kid friendly wheelchair which can be adjusted for the growth process and doesn't need replacing
- lufa sponge from plants used to make casts for fractures and used to absorb dyes from denim so that
     they don't go into the water supply.   Then the colorful material is used to create ceiling tiles
 - silk worms turned loose on a constructed base to create an innovative thick new fiber
- drones adapted for alpine rescue
- a single seat light weight airplane
-a smoke alarm by Nest (inventors of a self regulating thermostat widely in use already) The alarm
    speaks before the siren goes on.  

I was "gob smacked" as the British say (mouth gaping open with awe) when I viewed the exhibit.   Such genius in our world today - it gives one renewed hope in the future.

My Youngest Grandson

Thor, age seven, practices his archery skills at his home in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, UK.   Thor is a distant descendant of Harold Bluetooth who is remembered for introducing Christianity to Denmark.  

Viking exhibit at. The British Nuseum

"Berserk":  a Danish word.  Fighting Norse invaders wore bearskins, filed their teeth into points and colored them.  Going into battle, they dropped the bearskins, charged ahead naked and went into a fighting frenzy terrorizing the assaulted by going berserk.

An ancient Viking saying:  "If you don't have anything sensible to say, shut up."

A lovely Easter Hymn by John M. C. Crum

Now the green blade rises from the buried grain.
Wheat that in the dark earth many years has lain.
Love lives again, that with the dead has been.
Love is come again, like wheat that springs up green.

In the grave they laid Him, Love whom we had slain,
Thinking that He'd never wake to life again.
Laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen:
Love is come again, like wheat that springs up green.

Up he sprang at Easter, like the risen grain,
He that for three days in the grave has lain;
Up from the dead my risen Lord is seen:
Love is come again, like wheat that springs up green.

When our hearts are saddened, grieving or in pain,
By your touch you call us back to life again;
Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been:
Love is come back again, like wheat that springs up green.

                                 - to a 15th century French melody "Noel Nouvelet"
 

Easter in England

A beautiful misty rain and everything is green, daffodils galore, every shade of tulip and blooming trees. England is soothing to the spirit.  The season moves much more slowly here with constant coolness and moisture.   Easter service at st. Mary's in Beacon field was packed.  We stood for at least half of the 90 minute service. The vicar tells you when you can sit!   An overflow crowd. Richard saw a boy using his iPhone behind his program!   Inspirational with beautiful unfamiliar hymns but closing with the Hallellujah Chorus    A blessed Easter to all. . .