Knot a Blog

Yes, I know that you don't typically associate shamanism and neckties, but I would like to think that this is not a typical blog.

Copyright © 2008 by Michael Segers, all rights reserved  

     #539 - 540 Here are some more amazing animals, without, as far as I know, any political overtones, so I'll let them stand on their own.  On the left is a Tabasco tie (silk, US), showing alligators and waterfowl that may suggest Louisiana but for me evoke my Florida. On the right is my only Salvatore Ferragamo tie (silk, Italy).  Although this is the first appearance of this tie on my blog, it is not the first reference to it. 

By the way, there is more to my life than neckties.

Copyright © 2008 by Michael Segers, all rights reserved  

     On the left is a "Jimmy V | Jim Valvano Collection One" silk tie (Stonehenge, US).  To the right is a "WWF | World Wildlife Fund" silk tie (US), with an imprint, "African Elephant: The World's Largest Living Land Mammal |Design No 133."

     These wonderful animals deserve better than being associated with that political party.  So, here is Chapter 23, "The Elephant," from the great Buddhist scripture, Dhammapada (and have you ever wondered, "How Do You Become a Buddhist?"):

Silently shall I endure abuse as the elephant in battle endures the arrow sent from the bow, for the world is ill natured.

They lead a tamed elephant to battle, the king mounts a tamed elephant; the tamed is the best among men, he who silently endures abuse.

Mules are good, if tamed, and noble horses, and elephants with large tusks; but he who tames himself is better still.

For with these animals does no one reach nirvana, where a tamed man goes on a tamed animal, on his own tamed self.

The elephant, his temples running with sap, and difficult to hold, does not eat a morsel when bound; the elephant longs for the elephant grove.

If a man becomes fat and a great eater, if he is sleepy and rolls himself about, that fool, like a hog, is born again and again.

This mind of mine went formerly wandering as it liked, as it listed, as it pleased; but I shall now hold it in thoroughly, as the rider who holds the hook holds in the furious elephant.

Be not thoughtless, watch your thoughts! Draw yourself out of the evil way, like an elephant sunk in mud.

If a man find a prudent companion who walks with him, is wise, and lives soberly, he may walk with him, overcoming all dangers, happy, but considerate.

If a man find no prudent companion who walks with him, is wise, and lives soberly, let him walk alone, like a king who has left his conquered country behind, like an elephant in the forest.

It is better to live alone, there is no companionship with a fool; let a man walk alone; let him commit no sin, with few wishes, like an elephant in the forest.

If an occasion arises, friends are pleasant; enjoyment is pleasant, whatever may be the cause; a good work is pleasant in the hour of death; the giving up of all grief is pleasant.

Pleasant in the world is the state of a mother, pleasant the state of a father, pleasant the state of a monk, pleasant the state of a brahmin.

A virtue lasting to old age is pleasant, a faith firmly rooted is pleasant; attainment of intelligence is pleasant, avoiding sins is pleasant.

Copyright © 2008 by Michael Segers, all rights reserved

     #527 - 528 Back to the blogosphere again...  I've been wearing ties again for a couple of weeks, so I shall have to play catch-up, but I wanted an extremely special tie to jump-start this blog (as if it really needs much jump-starting after yesterday's musical number).  Today, I began things again with a lovely handmade silk tie from "Kai Long."  The design, according to my dear Dharma friend Cheryl, who gave it to me, is an old Buddhist prayer.  Let us hope.  Continuing the Buddhist theme, I'll wear a Thai silk tie from "Channiti."  The Buddhist connection has nothing to do with the design but rather with the Buddhist country of origin.   

     On February 8th and 10th (visiting my mother, planning to wear a tie on Sunday), our Lenten view switches to paisley, which was exotic once upon a time, until it got worn out.  These two neckties show the range of paisley, at least in the size of the design.  Again, both ties have the Countess Mara monogram.  The one on the first tie shows up better.  The label on the back of the darker tie reads "Sistine Satin by | Countess Mara | New York."  The label on the lighter tie does not have the first line, which I have never seen on any other Countess Mara tie, although I find a reference to it on neckties sold on e-Bay.  Again, I am guessing that these ties are silk.

     Both of these neckties have store labels of nearby stores sewn on as keepers (to make the loop through which the tail is inserted to hold it in place).  The tie on the left is from "White's Men's Shop | Bartow, Fla."  The one on the right is from "Cleghorn's | Lakeland, Florida."  It appears that neither of these stores is now in business.

     Both of these ties rehash themes that I've visited before.  On the left, to be worn on Monday (Feb. 4th) is another movie tie, not one that is terribly obvious.  This necktie (Directions, silk, US) has imprinted on the back, "Gone with the Wind" | It's characters and elements are trademarks of Turner Entertainment Co. and the Stephens-Mitchell Trusts © 1992.  All Rights Reserved.  Now, the old English teacher kicks in to point out that it's should be its.  As a native of the state of Georgia, I grew up on GWTW;  I read it once, I saw it once, and now, I shall wear it once, and that will be quite enough for me.  

     But, let me take this opportunity to tell you about another novel from Georgia, Lamb in His Bosom, by Caroline Miller. We always had both novels on our bookshelves when I was growing up, and my mother used to say that she preferred Lamb because GWTW was about the rich people.  I was delighted to discover some years later that one of my high school teachers was the niece of Caroline Miller (and, as can happen only in a small southern town, my teacher's daughter was later my student, and she now performs a one-woman show based on her great-aunt).  When I was writing a series of online columns, I was delighted to invite my teacher to reminisce about her aunt.  Her resulting essay, I am pleased to report, still attracts readers, as I hope Lamb in His Bosom does.

     And then, to close the festivities,on the 5th, we have pink flamingos (Tango, silk, Korea).  I suppose it is unlikely enough that I have a pink flamingos necktie, but in fact, I have another one as well.  With that confession, I suppose I need a little Lent and the boring neckties that it will bring.  It has been a great celebration, with some great neckties, but, as someone once observed, "Tomorrow is another day."