My favorite childhood book was an atlas
Jul 1st, 2006, 05:24 PM
#41
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I was intrigued by all this talk of Halliburton's "book of Marvels, so I looked it up on Amazon. The separate editions, The Occident and The Orient, were published in 1937. The combined "Comlete" book, which I remember, was fisrt published in 1941. There was a 1984 edition, with used copies available starting at $54.00. It's fun to read the reviews---sounds just like what we were saying here.
Jul 1st, 2006, 06:48 PM
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I, too, have always loved atlases and maps. As a child I would pour over them. I still do.
When I was teaching (I'm now retired), I would break my class into 7 groups, one for each continent. We would then devote a couple of weeks to a project in which each group would make a globe (a large balloon, wrapped with paper mache, then painted with outlines of the continents and oceans all colored in). The kids would get so interested and find out/discuss so many details about the different continents -- and even the oceans.
Sometimes we would also make salt maps, that showed the topographical details of the country, or state (depending on what we were studying).
I hope that, in addition to learning something about the subject we were studying, learned an interest in the world around them.
Also, I too had a precious Madame Alexander doll when I was growing up.
When I was teaching (I'm now retired), I would break my class into 7 groups, one for each continent. We would then devote a couple of weeks to a project in which each group would make a globe (a large balloon, wrapped with paper mache, then painted with outlines of the continents and oceans all colored in). The kids would get so interested and find out/discuss so many details about the different continents -- and even the oceans.
Sometimes we would also make salt maps, that showed the topographical details of the country, or state (depending on what we were studying).
I hope that, in addition to learning something about the subject we were studying, learned an interest in the world around them.
Also, I too had a precious Madame Alexander doll when I was growing up.
Jul 1st, 2006, 07:11 PM
#44
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Another child-Atlas lover here. I had loads of books in my room as a child. I don't think my parents ever had any (very poor Depression era kids) and as soon as I was aware of my surroundings, I was blessed to find tons of wonderful books. A magnificent Atlas with loads of maps, photos, statistics, star charts and much more. I loved that thing!
I also had a set of encyclopedias, a set of science books, a set of "children's encyclopedias" and a set of classic literature. I was always far from home. In my mind, anyway.
Our neighborhood, in the 1950s and early 60s, was made up of working class European immigrants. Croatians, Greeks, Italians, Germans, Slovaks, Irish... just about everything. I ate at all my friends houses, and made Ukrainian Easter eggs...
Even though all the people we knew were mostly too poor to travel, my parents were very adventurous, for their time and background. We went to the shore, and the lakes and mountains, and they went further afield, visiting Cuba quite a bit.
There was no way I was not going to travel. I loved my Atlas and my globe and read about every state and country in my encyclopedia.
And I had Madame Alexander dolls. I like the Little Women ones the best, but in truth I never touched any of them. They really belonged to my mother, I believe. She never had a toy or doll as a child, and she filled my room with expensive dolls and pink ruffles. I actually hated the stuff, and took my books under the desk, where I could hang a towel, and never see the pink ruffles. ;-)
I also had a set of encyclopedias, a set of science books, a set of "children's encyclopedias" and a set of classic literature. I was always far from home. In my mind, anyway.
Our neighborhood, in the 1950s and early 60s, was made up of working class European immigrants. Croatians, Greeks, Italians, Germans, Slovaks, Irish... just about everything. I ate at all my friends houses, and made Ukrainian Easter eggs...
Even though all the people we knew were mostly too poor to travel, my parents were very adventurous, for their time and background. We went to the shore, and the lakes and mountains, and they went further afield, visiting Cuba quite a bit.
There was no way I was not going to travel. I loved my Atlas and my globe and read about every state and country in my encyclopedia.
And I had Madame Alexander dolls. I like the Little Women ones the best, but in truth I never touched any of them. They really belonged to my mother, I believe. She never had a toy or doll as a child, and she filled my room with expensive dolls and pink ruffles. I actually hated the stuff, and took my books under the desk, where I could hang a towel, and never see the pink ruffles. ;-)
Jul 1st, 2006, 07:30 PM
#45
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Wouldn't we all have made a wonderful play group? Oh, what might have been .... We could have been a group of very short travelers who knew more about where we were going, than the adults who had to pay full fare.
Of course, I had to be home early in those days, I went to bed at 7:30PM.
Nina
Nina
Of course, I had to be home early in those days, I went to bed at 7:30PM.
Nina
Nina
Jul 1st, 2006, 08:06 PM
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LOL Nina, too true!!! And did any of you try to dig a hole in the backyard to "reach" China? I did!! I really really wanted to travel. My mother always got furious because I had to wear those little puffed sleeve dresses with the pinafores. Not a good outfit when digging a hole to China.
Jul 1st, 2006, 08:15 PM
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I kept the shoulder immobolizer on for about 6 weeks. The doctor said I could drive when I felt ready, and that was longer than I had planned on. Fortunately I was able to hire a young woman just back from service in Iraq to drive me when I had to go out, and a good friend did my grocery shopping for two months. As best I can remember I waited about 3-1/2 months before attempting to drive.
There's just no way to hurry the healing process. The bone knits fairly quickly (especially if you're on the younger side), but it's getting the rotator cuff to work properly again that takes the time. Gentle exercise is the trick. Have you been doing the crawl-the-hand-up-the-wall exercise regularly, the one where you support the wrist of the arm with the broken shoulder? That gives you a good feel for how things are progressing.
Good luck, and summon up all the patience you can.
loveitaly,
I'm a fellow Blums lover. Great place, and oh, those cakes!
There's just no way to hurry the healing process. The bone knits fairly quickly (especially if you're on the younger side), but it's getting the rotator cuff to work properly again that takes the time. Gentle exercise is the trick. Have you been doing the crawl-the-hand-up-the-wall exercise regularly, the one where you support the wrist of the arm with the broken shoulder? That gives you a good feel for how things are progressing.
Good luck, and summon up all the patience you can.
loveitaly,
I'm a fellow Blums lover. Great place, and oh, those cakes!
Jul 1st, 2006, 08:22 PM
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I can't believe that there are "others" out there like me. I thought I was the only one who loved a globe when I was a child. When I was about 14, I purchased the encylopedia of world travel and literally absorbed it.
The good news is - I have a 10 year-old granddaughter who has the same passion that I have. When she was 4 I bought her a globe and before she was 5 she could name every country on the globe. Next summer we are going on our first trip together - to Austria. The reason, of course is that she loved The Sound of Music when she was very small - not just the music, etc., but when she saw Fraulein Maria's wedding she told me that she wanted to see the church.
It is wonderful to know that we "atlas geeks" are not alone.
The good news is - I have a 10 year-old granddaughter who has the same passion that I have. When she was 4 I bought her a globe and before she was 5 she could name every country on the globe. Next summer we are going on our first trip together - to Austria. The reason, of course is that she loved The Sound of Music when she was very small - not just the music, etc., but when she saw Fraulein Maria's wedding she told me that she wanted to see the church.
It is wonderful to know that we "atlas geeks" are not alone.
Jul 1st, 2006, 08:22 PM
#52
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Hello Underhill, when I finally got over the major problem with my shoulder I too did the "crawl-the-hand-up-the-wall". In fact, I am suppose to continue to do it..and I forget, thanks for the reminder.
Blums..yes dear..SF is not like it was is it. But then nothing is. We should have a "whine with wine" GTG for all of us Fodorites that remember SF the way it used to be. Take care and do have a lovely and safe 4th of July weekend.
Blums..yes dear..SF is not like it was is it. But then nothing is. We should have a "whine with wine" GTG for all of us Fodorites that remember SF the way it used to be. Take care and do have a lovely and safe 4th of July weekend.
Jul 1st, 2006, 09:11 PM
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I have also loved atlas', maps,
and globes all my life. My Mom loves them too so I grew up with them around.
I have always been interested in other cultures and was always looking at maps to find out where they lived.
and globes all my life. My Mom loves them too so I grew up with them around.
I have always been interested in other cultures and was always looking at maps to find out where they lived.
Jul 1st, 2006, 11:33 PM
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LoveItaly & Underhill - Seriously, when you are both feeling well enough to spend a day out in search of Blum's Almondettes (sp) maybe we could have a mini GTG with other San Franciscians willing to do the same.
LoveItaly, with your family history in the area, you would have so much to share with us, while we are gobbling down local goodies. AND you can tell us what really happened to the period on your computer ;-)
Whoever brings the oldest Atlas would win a Kismet, Ishmet, Whatset, my favorite Blum's ice cream concoction. I can't remember what I had for lunch today, but I will never forget the taste of that ice cream. ;-)
Nina
LoveItaly, with your family history in the area, you would have so much to share with us, while we are gobbling down local goodies. AND you can tell us what really happened to the period on your computer ;-)
Whoever brings the oldest Atlas would win a Kismet, Ishmet, Whatset, my favorite Blum's ice cream concoction. I can't remember what I had for lunch today, but I will never forget the taste of that ice cream. ;-)
Nina
Jul 2nd, 2006, 05:39 AM
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Thanks, Underhill, I really appreciate hearing how someone else recovered from a broken shoulder. It shouldn't happen to people who like to travel!
Why did you wait three months before starting physical therapy? I have started the spider crawl- in a somewhat limited fashion. I will be happier when I can sleep without sitting up!
Yes, LoveItaly, I used to be very curious about those Chinese children who lived underneath us (or so I thought). But it was my son, his German shepherd, and a bunch of neighborhood children who, for years, actually dug a huge hole in our backyard - either to China or hunting for buried treasure, depending on the day. When it rained, sometimes we would put plastic in it and, voila- a swimming pool! The other parents all loved for the children to play in our backyard rather than theirs, and that was fine with me, too, since then I knwe what they were doing.
This son now lives in the San Francisco area and has now traveled to some out of the way national park for a week of rock climbing and back packing- to make his mother nervous. When he does this kind of 'adventure travel' then I am always relieved when he is safely back home again!
Some day when my shoulder is all well, (or maybe sooner) I will meet up with those of you who live near San Francisco.
Why did you wait three months before starting physical therapy? I have started the spider crawl- in a somewhat limited fashion. I will be happier when I can sleep without sitting up!
Yes, LoveItaly, I used to be very curious about those Chinese children who lived underneath us (or so I thought). But it was my son, his German shepherd, and a bunch of neighborhood children who, for years, actually dug a huge hole in our backyard - either to China or hunting for buried treasure, depending on the day. When it rained, sometimes we would put plastic in it and, voila- a swimming pool! The other parents all loved for the children to play in our backyard rather than theirs, and that was fine with me, too, since then I knwe what they were doing.
This son now lives in the San Francisco area and has now traveled to some out of the way national park for a week of rock climbing and back packing- to make his mother nervous. When he does this kind of 'adventure travel' then I am always relieved when he is safely back home again!
Some day when my shoulder is all well, (or maybe sooner) I will meet up with those of you who live near San Francisco.
Jul 2nd, 2006, 06:48 AM
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saraho---your son probably knows my son, who lives in San Francisco also,but is also off an acventure right now (hiking in China). It makes me a bit nervous too, but I can't complain---it was I who brought my sons to their love and travel and the outdoors. Last fall they went trekking in Ladakh together---I had to get out the atlas (back to the original topic) to see where that was. They said I'd love it there. I wonder which park your son chose for his rock climbing and backpacking? Mine goes to Joshua Tree Nat'l Monument for climbing, but not in the summer! Yosemite, perhaps?
On shoulders---don't be discouraged if it takes time. I didn't even break anything, but it took two years of therapy, anti-inflammatories, and even a cortisone injection (which helped, but only temporarily). In the meantime, no kayaking, swimming, rock scrambling, etc., and little sleep. Fortunately I could still hike.
Underhill, LoveItaly, Nina---I will happily join your San Francisco "whine and dine" (great name!) GTG. We lived in Southern California (where my brother and I dug a hole in the backyard), much to my mother's dismay. She went to Berkeley (class of '38, I believe), and was certain that San Francisco was the only civilized place in California. So that meant frequent trips north, with shopping at I. Magnin's, for her, Ransohoff's on Maiden Lane for me; a sweet treat at Blum's, and then we'd wander around Gumps (which had nothing we needed or could afford) just to marvel. Nice memories; thank you.
(I just Googled Ransohoff's to check the speling, and learned the store was in a famous scene in the the Hitchhcock film "Vertigo", where Kim Novak goes shopping).
On shoulders---don't be discouraged if it takes time. I didn't even break anything, but it took two years of therapy, anti-inflammatories, and even a cortisone injection (which helped, but only temporarily). In the meantime, no kayaking, swimming, rock scrambling, etc., and little sleep. Fortunately I could still hike.
Underhill, LoveItaly, Nina---I will happily join your San Francisco "whine and dine" (great name!) GTG. We lived in Southern California (where my brother and I dug a hole in the backyard), much to my mother's dismay. She went to Berkeley (class of '38, I believe), and was certain that San Francisco was the only civilized place in California. So that meant frequent trips north, with shopping at I. Magnin's, for her, Ransohoff's on Maiden Lane for me; a sweet treat at Blum's, and then we'd wander around Gumps (which had nothing we needed or could afford) just to marvel. Nice memories; thank you.
(I just Googled Ransohoff's to check the speling, and learned the store was in a famous scene in the the Hitchhcock film "Vertigo", where Kim Novak goes shopping).
Jul 2nd, 2006, 08:37 AM
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Enzian,
Wow, China- very exciting!
My son is rock climbing at Courtwright Resvoir and backpacking at Dinkey Creek in the Dog Tooth Peak area.
I have been to Joshua Tree with my son and of course, we love Yosemite.
I have an old globe from the late 19th century that we all love, but the country names have mostly changed.
Wow, China- very exciting!
My son is rock climbing at Courtwright Resvoir and backpacking at Dinkey Creek in the Dog Tooth Peak area.
I have been to Joshua Tree with my son and of course, we love Yosemite.
I have an old globe from the late 19th century that we all love, but the country names have mostly changed.
Jul 2nd, 2006, 08:48 AM
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I've got a National Geographic wall map from '79 hanging next to last years' version. The old one is bigger, printed on much nicer material, and is much more detailed. The country names may be much changed, but I have spent years staring at it along with the matching atlas, so it's here to stay no matter how much it shames the cheap and shallow new one. 
Jul 2nd, 2006, 09:22 AM
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SeaUrchin, we made our salt maps by filling in an outline of the state (or country) with a fairly thick mixture of flour, salt, and water, "sculpting" the dabbed on mixture to create mountains, etc. After the mix dried, the kids would paint their maps and label key elements.
Saraho, best wishes for a speedy recovery. You have my sympathy!!
I, too, tried to dig to China. My mother very patiently explained that China was very likely on the other side of where I was digging, but that I probably wouldn't be able to find it because I would hit rock and molten lava that would make digging difficult.
I am a northern Californian. I'm not from SF, but my daughter lived there for several years before moving to Marin County last year, so I've spent lots of time there!
What a small world we actually live in, with so many things in common.
Happy July 4th to all!!!
Saraho, best wishes for a speedy recovery. You have my sympathy!!
I, too, tried to dig to China. My mother very patiently explained that China was very likely on the other side of where I was digging, but that I probably wouldn't be able to find it because I would hit rock and molten lava that would make digging difficult.
I am a northern Californian. I'm not from SF, but my daughter lived there for several years before moving to Marin County last year, so I've spent lots of time there!
What a small world we actually live in, with so many things in common.
Happy July 4th to all!!!
