Saturday, March 17, 2018

"Smile Friends, Smlie"

"Top "O" The Morning" folks. St. Patrick's Day 2018. Sitting down to a slice or two of Irish soda bread, with several cups of "Green" Mountain coffee, and dreaming of a great supper of corned beef, cabbage, potatoes and carrots. I love this day, it's a happy day, one that has always been festive since the days of my childhood. I can remember my mom singing "oh the Clancy" a tune that has stuck in my head for all these years. I found out this morning that the first St. Patrick's Day parade was held in Boston, who would have ever thought that "big smile".....so I say to all, today we are all Irish, Happy St. Patrick's Day... lift your glasses and cups and enjoy.



In this day of GPS, cell phones and the like, it seems as if the day of the paper map is going the way of the dinosaur. Exception, not with me. I still use the old fashioned paper map to find out where I'm going, and where I've been. The DeLorme Atlas like the one above is always in my car. I at times will map out directions to those "thin blue lines"... I have several DeLorme atlases in different states with CT. and Maine seeing the most use with Massachusetts closing in.


How many of you still use maps like this?


A "blue line" found with the aid of a map, and it's the little blue lines that feed this stream that will be on the list to check further.


Smile, spring is but a few days away.








37 comments:

  1. I don't even own a smart phone let alone a GPS device. All my adventures come from reading maps. I love looking at topo's and picking a point and then trying to get there. So many hidden little blue lines out there to find! Your toasted soda bread looks awfully tasty this fine morning.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. mike
      Thanks
      Mike my first atlas was Delorme's Maine issue. I purchased it back in the early eighties. Lots of markings, scribbling, and coffee stains adorn that book.
      Cell phone for "just in case" wife's orders.

      Delete
  2. I use maps as well.... a great resource for sure.... I like the looks of your bread as well.... very nice. Happy St. Patty's...

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    Replies
    1. Doug Korn Fly Tyer
      Thanks
      Doug I love that feeling a well used map has.
      That bread is a bit of pleasure any morning it's served.

      Delete
  3. I use both (paper + virtual). St. Patty's day was always considered the welcome Spring festival and the start of flat fishing, back in the day. Remember when Quincy bay was virtually carpeted with "flats". Enjoy your day Alan. Kapusta with a side of brisket.

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    Replies
    1. John Dornik
      Thanks
      John my history is much the same. We would fish for flats in Niantic, and Jordan Cove. Flounder was one of a few fish I would fish for to eat. Tasty my friend.
      The "K" and beef will be served come evening.

      Delete
  4. Replies
    1. Anonymous
      Thanks
      "Smile" yes "Smile" more of what's needed.

      Delete
  5. I'm with Mike ... strictly old school. A flip top phone just for emergencies and no GPS in the 2005 Jeep. So, I have a hefty collection of maps that have served me well on several cross country road trips and countless fishing expeditions.

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    Replies
    1. William Shuck
      Thanks
      Bill it seems that you are in good company here. I'm surprised so far that "old school" is still in session.
      2005 jeep, lots of stories that fellow could tell.

      Delete
  6. Alan
    Happy St. Patrick's Day!! I use old maps I have and that Atlas! Old School here!! Love the pic of the Cardinal. Spring may be coming soon , but we need a transition into warmer weather. With the way the weather has been, we might go right to summer, and that would not be good.

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    Replies
    1. TROUT1
      Thanks
      Pete somehow I knew you would be a map guy. That Cardinal just looked so cold that day. I do hope we have a gradual transition into spring.

      Delete
  7. Alan, as a truck driver I became very good with maps,but with time always being a problem I had to learn to use modern technology. I still have my maps but do not use them very much anymore. I really like the looks of that bread.hope you have a wonderful st. Patrick's day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brad Basehore
      Thanks
      Brad, in today's world it seems that there is not much choice and technology is forefront. BUT!
      Brad have a "sparkling" day.

      Delete
  8. Happy St. Patrick's Day to all. A favorite holiday in my family too. The "seasons" go from St. Patrick's Day to Halloween and Halloween back to St. Patrick's Day. Bright day in NJ but too chilly to be outside with a pint of Guinness. We have had some pretty warm ones over the years, but not today. Think I will have a bowl of PEI mussels steamed in garlic and pretend I am in Galway this afternoon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MrKevenkins
      Thanks
      Kevin that's a nice rotation of holidays. Beautiful here but windy, and not a drop of fine beer.
      Your lunch selection seems fitting care to share?

      Delete
  9. On GPS maps: A friend of mine was in Niagara Falls a few years back and was directed onto the Rainbow International Bridge and proceeded into Canada (yes) without their US passports on Labor Day weekend. Of course one in the car had no ID whatsoever. Several hours later they were allowed to turn around and head back to the States after a ruined day. The computer figured the route was quicker via the Canadian customs and immigration checkpoint.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Computers, when one screws up there can be some awful results. It was good that your friend was able to finally get back in the states.

      Delete
  10. I carry a map or two in the glove box my own self. Happy St. Patty's Day.

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    Replies
    1. Mark Kautz
      Thanks
      Mark I think those of us that are of later years feel the same way about paper maps. I know with me it just feels better than a GPS.

      Delete
  11. smartphone, what's one of those...old school map & compass, only person I can blame then is myself...lol happy paddy's day.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Happy St. Paddy's Day Alan. Just enjoyed my corned beef and cabbage and stopped by to say hello. I still use my DeLorme map of Colorado because I like to hold something in my hands besides my phone.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Howard Levett
      Thanks
      Howard with dinner done now comes the best part, the leftovers.
      Maps, trust what you can see.

      Delete
  13. Replies
    1. Micheal Agneta
      Thanks
      Mike it was designed to just that.

      Delete
  14. Irish Soda Bread, ham and cabbage, a Guinness and Irish Potato's....Throw in a half dozen BWO emergers and you have a good day. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ralph Long
      Thanks
      Ralph "wow" you put on a great buffet.
      Can't beat a good BWO.

      Delete
  15. The UK Ordnance Survey, compulsive reading, scanning and imagining. You can't beat a map. John

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    Replies
    1. The Two Terriers
      Thanks
      John I can see no argument in that finding.
      Have a great day.

      Delete
  16. A map with a hole in it is 95% mission effective. I use the same atlas products.

    That is some impressive crumb on your soda bread. Mine is a denser, coarser texture. I'm going to make some at the campsite in a dutch oven on the evening before opener here in MI. I'm hosting a "field breakfast" for some friends on opener morning and some folks may just want flame grilled toast, coffee, and blackberry preserves instead of spicy biscuits and gravy.

    One must provide for one's guests.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. spike
      Thanks
      I believe DeLorme makes them for all 50 states.
      Biscuits and gravy is wonderful any time except breakfast and late night, at least for me. Your other choice would fit in nicely for my breakfast.

      Delete
  17. I love the corned beef and cabbage dinner my wife prepares each year, along with the reuben sandwich the next day. I was tempted to toss a few flies today, but with the lingering cold and wind, opted to hunker down and watch the NCAA basketball tourney.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Parachute Adams
      Thanks
      Sam the leftovers are always the best. It was a brisk one, and you made a good choice. I did the same only I watched the Sox from sunny Florida. Less then 2 weeks.

      Delete
  18. We had Spring a month ago. Now, we are having Winter. It's all backwards out here in the West!!

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    Replies
    1. The River Damsel
      Thanks
      Emily the same here. I fished days in Feb, that were 60-70, now its 30's.
      He can't hold on much longer.

      Delete
  19. Alan
    I can smell that bread from here, looks delicious-thanks for shairng

    ReplyDelete