12/7/09:  The world is "so much with us" in the news today!  I get confused trying to keep all those Middle East countries' geographic relationships to each other in mind.  When a world map arrived with my issue of National Geographic, I immediately scotch taped it on my wall above my desk, near enough so that I can see it.  Happily N.G. has seen fit to make every country a different color.  This helps greatly. 

Of course, no interior decorator would approve.  My dear friend here (another writer) is very artistic and has a little side business "Decor On A Dime."  She has seen to it that my living room looks elegant–colors  and furniture matched, but my office-bedroom is mine to "decorate" with whatever schloky (sp?) stuff I choose.  Included, besides the maps, are two plastic "family galleries." Each holds 24 pictures, verticals and horizontals, each about 4 x 6 inches.  I can look across the room to the wall opposite my desk and "greet" family and friends in colored pictures.  As I sit here writing these photos remind me of pleasant adventures:  Three friends and I took weekly walks together around our little comminity closing each walk with a pleasant lunch at local dining spots. One picture that I shot shows three of them in various positions climbing a fence. Other pictures remind me of great holiday feasts with family.–Willma

In addition to the world map I have a large U.S. map also taped to my wall. During writing a chapter in my current book project that deals with a cross country trip by automobile in 1944, I made good use of it.