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."