Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Maps


In the waiting room of my childhood pediatrician's office, there was a map that fascinated me.  It was a map of storybook and fairy-tales land.  It was something like this, but much more detailed.  It kept my brother and me busy while waiting to see the doctor. I loved the houses and streets and would make believe I was there in fairyland. Maybe it is where I first fell in love with maps.


So when I saw this map on FB, I had to read the article and look over the map.  Can you imagine drawing out a map and putting so much effort and detail in it?  Awesome stuff!  I have two maps framed in my house - both of Texas land grants at different times in history. I love the history, but I love the colors of the maps and the info found on them.  I also remember being fascinated by a topographical map of the Carson National Forest that hung at the Community House in Red River.  My dad had a similar map. We often used it while hiking back in the day.  I need to find out what happen to that map.

My fascination with maps is probably why I choose this as my screen saver.  It is not just that Jesse is in the picture, but that the streets and houses are shown in the photo.  It reminds me of the fairytale map. It reminds me of Scotland.  I can make believe that I am there in the streets looking at the houses, eating at the pub on the harbor, etc. 

11 comments:

John said...

Lou,

I'm sending you a link that you might want to check out. It's called CopanoBayPress, which has a free newsletter. The newsletter comes to you a couple of times a week, and gives excerpts of Texas History from old books written by our ancestors. I've never bought any of the books, but I love the newsletter. It also has maps in the books, which is why I thought of you. A friend of mine has bought some of the books, but did not get a commemorative copy. You can get them by searching on Google, and save a ton of money. Anyway, the free newsletter is pretty cool..you might want to check it out.

Starting to get an itch for the mountains, but we won't be going this year. Going to Disney World in Florida for two weeks at Christmas for a special B-day for Susie. But I'll be living in the mountains shortly...finally. Miss seeing you, Toby and the family. Take care kiddo, and here's the link:

http://copanobaypress.com/

Bag Blog said...

Thanks, John. I went to that site right away, and it is a good one. We are going to RR in late July for a family reunion.

John said...

Have fun at your reunion...please tell everyone hi from me.

Buck said...

I chased that link to the Slate article (so VERY cool!) and went from there to the Imus site. His US map is only $40.00... are ya gonna buy one? I MIGHT...

I'm a map kinda guy, too, and have been since childhood. Part of the reasons I'm that way is I had great teachers in elementary school, another part is I was dragged around the world at an early age and always wanted to know exactly where I was in relation to everything else. It's a habit, yanno?

Bag Blog said...

Ooh, I didn't go to the Imus site, but 40 bucks is not bad. I think it would be pretty cool to have a map like that.

When I started tutoring last year, I discovered my tutorees did not have much geography knowledge or love of maps. I took my globe immediately and started working on them. Being a visual person, I totally understand the need to know where you are in relation to everything else.

Becky G said...

I love maps, and atlases, too. I could spend an entire day on Google Earth!

Moogie P said...

Fun stuff! I don't think kids get nearly enough Geography these days, except maybe at Christmas when they go to the NORAD site to track Santa.

Maybe they don't study geography enough because countries are always changing their names, so why bother.

Buck said...

Good point on the name changin' thing, Moogie. Two-thirds of the countries in Africa have different names than they did when I was in grade school. **I'm** a geographical idiot when it comes to Africa...

Buck said...

That said... the New World was still new when I was in grade school.

Bag Blog said...

I think my teacher must have been tired when she got to Africa, 'cause that would probably be my worst continent - knowledge-wise. Yeah, things were simpler, before Columbus did all that travelin'.

Jo Castillo said...

Ah, I love geography. I haven't learned any of the new countries that were Russia or what has happend in Africa either. Sigh.....