Vitra Design, George Nelson

As we are in the midst of Spring Break and we have so many museums in the neighborhood, went today to see this world famous design museum: The Vitra Design Museum.
It's focus is on modern design of architecture and furniture. There are no permanent exhibits so part of the excitement is to see what is new. Today we saw George Nelson // Architect, Writer, Designer, Teacher.
It was really a good exhibit to see because it was all so familiar. At least Paul and I felt it familiar, as being children of the 1960's, one could not have been living in that time period with out having seen his work. For example, he was the designer of the GULF logo. George Nelson was also a main influence in the design of the modern office, with his work stations, color and surfaces. His work is all over the 1950's, 60's and even onto the seventies. He seems to me to be the forerunner to the Ikeas of the world. So in honor of his work we zipped right over to Ikea to see how the 2000's view of compact space design compares to the 1960's. Except for the colors it is pretty much the same...sleek surfaces, metal frames and pleasing use of space.
For a look at the museum here is a link:
www.design-museum.de/museum/weil/ausstellung/index.php

I found a terrific quote by him:
"I was feeling pretty smug and looking forward to a tranquil life as an academic because it seemed all so safe and pleasant. But if you are lucky, you are not allowed to stay safe. You're thrown into jeopardy." - George Nelson, 1977

music from Schüpfheim, CH

We had cousins in the area so we made the short trip over the Swiss border to visit and hear some great music.
Here is a video of the Midlothean choir in the Schüpfheim church April 5, 2009...Beulah Land. Can you pick out Tommy and Kidder?

Easter Greetings

treehouse

Since we left Richmond, the kids have been needing a place to call their own ... I had built them a tower in the backyard back at our old house, and while they have had a pretty good time playing in the yard, something was missing ...

A couple of trees in the back of the house were decent candidates for some extra work, but as I did not want to impact the fruit trees, the birch was the best candidate.

the birch tree in question (planning shot)

Man at work

the new owners move in. It is really more of a platform built around the tree rather than IN the tree ... but they are not complaining!

cleaning crew at work - just need two more guardrails to be absolutely safe, then we're done ...

snowflakes March 2008

The Big show! This Dance school preforms a recital every three years, so they save up all of their dances and energy for one big show. "Lotte und die Reisegeist"...."Lotta and the Travel Jenie" is the result of their work. Lotta has a dream, the Jenie comes to grant her wishes and she wants to travel. During her travels to Africa and the North Pole, an evil Ice Queen steals her little dog. In order to get her dog back she must find the special crystal. So off she goes and ends up in America, dancing with Indians, then to New York and ends in Chicago. All along this journey we are treated to various dances ranging from the little first graders as bluebirds to the Adult tap and ladies flamenco dances with the ballerinas, hip-hoppers, breakdancers, jazz and modern in between. A nice variety and for the most part very good choreography .

The only differnce I could see from this and our experiences in the Sates was the language...it is a comfort to know that kids are the same the world over, they just may communicate a little differently, because they certainly move the same.

Easter Tradtions in Germany

I am borrowing from "The Week in Germany" an email newsletter sent out by the German Embassy in DC.

www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/05__Culture/06/Easter/__Easter.html

www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/05__Culture/06/Easter/Roots.html

www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/05__Culture/06/Easter/Eggs__bunnies.html

www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/05__Culture/06/Easter/Regional.html

HisKids.net: powerful. positive. radio on-demand!

Ever wonder how we spend part of our Sunday or other days?
We listen to radio on-demand for great radio theater.

HisKids.net: powerful. positive. radio on-demand!

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Seemingly little things

I need to post this quickly before I forget to recognize the seemingly little things in life that point the way to bigger issues along life's path. What ?? ok, I am talking about miracles; not the huge parting of the sea or feeding thousands but the little miracles; the ones that because they happened they changed the course of events in life.

Example number one: On Thursday the weather had finally turned; the sunshine was warm and I was already to go for a bike ride. I wanted to go on a ride to try out my "new, recycled from the second hand shop" bike. Had been trying since 4 o'clock in the afternoon to get out of the door and take a ride with Paul. Well as things go around here, it was ten after six before we left. Vaden has just gotten home from a babysitting job, all the kids were settled so we could have some free time together.
So we are set, ready, go....bing, clink, rattle.....the chain, no, not the chain slipping off again...nope it broke this time. My miracle in this ... we were only five meters from the house and to think we could have been 5 or more kilometers away.

Miraculous happening number two, (that I am aware of for the week):
Vaden is in the midst of ballet recital weekend, "Lotte and the traveling Genie". Yesterday I watched her responsibly pack all of her things in her bag, even heard her count off what she needed...two pair of shoes, tights, hair thingies, safety pins, makeup ...
well I guess we should have had a list. When the time came to change into her second dance costume for the night there were NO suntan dance tights! My miracle now unfolds: one of her class-mates had packed a second pair! Even told Vaden that she had had them in her hand about to not bring them, thinking "nah, I won't need these" but she listened to that voice and brought them any way!

She let Vaden use them. Without those tights Vaden would not have been able to perform! Thus a life-changing event, thus my miracle number two.

Month of Malaise, March

I am continually amazed at how it is the seemingly little things that make all the difference in the undercurrent of a culture. Take the example of attitude toward health and sickness vs school attendance. March has been our month of sickness. We have had atleast one child home, three out of the four weeks of March and as we are approaching the Easter holidays in April and I still have one in the bed and all three are finishing up their antibiotics tomorrow. So a lot of school time has been missed. I really cannot believe those words are coming from me, but I am concerned about this; I, who am a homeschooler at heart and who thinks that organized school rooms classes with 23+ plus kids is too much for sanity. But I ramble....

The point of this cultural observation:
Stryker-Ann has been sick and has missed two solid weeks of school. I have emailed one of her head teachers, and I stopped and spoke to her French teacher today. BOTH responded the same: yes she may have some work...but it is more important for her to stay quiet and to get well.
My American culture of: you must go to school or work at all cost of health peaked out and could not believe it ears. You mean really just don't worry about it and get better? What about all of those days missed? get healthy, the work will be there when you return healthy.
From Wils' teacher I recieved the same response, and I am sure if I asked Vaden's it would be the same as well.

I am really liking this attitude of: health really does mean something and the understanding that it does take time to heal some illnesses; which is a part of life. Unlike the attitude of the American culture, that illness is a form of weakness and infringes on ones independent life style. Remember in school, the kids that got an award for not missing a day of school the whole year? I have a friend who received one. I also remember a girl receiving an award for not having missed a day of school her whole high school years. On first analysis this is fantastic and it really is amazing no matter how you look at it, but underlying it is a work ethic that puts all else aside, it is one of the building blocks for future ill health. Now if the child is truely not sick then great, but it is that attitude of I must at all cost to my health and the health of others around me go to work, school, etc. What are we really saying when we do this?

The life here seems to encourage that, if you are sick you stay home and get better, there are enough sick days to cover it, you are a better worker, student if you are healthy. My home culture seems to say..hey you lazy bum, you are not really that sick, are you? It is a real inconvenience and besides you only have so many days to be sick so you better pull your self together and get in to work or school.

Please don't think that because of this attitude toward health, all is peaceful....I'll blog next about the Abitur Prufungen which are the Senior's exams.

Wildlife Sighting for Spring

What is that hiding behind the bench and log??

It's a black squirrel! (And no, we do not live near Mirkwood)

These guys are rare as hens teeth over here - especially in our yard! This would make the fourth or fifth squirrel we have seen in our neighbourhood - over the last three years ...