Back on January 14th, I wore one of the most subtly beautiful and mysterious ties I've ever seen.  As I mentioned at the time, it was autographed by Jandel Zombel, a "gentleman" about whom I could find no information.

Imagine my surprise and joy when I got an entry in the guestbook (which you can read on this page) from Jandel Zombel, a woman!  A lady, may this old-fashioned gentleman say, who, it turns out has had quite a fascinating life full of design, art, and neckties!  She is still an artist, but we are blessed that she is now a teacher, so she will pass her vision along to another generation (I hope). 

She shared a story with me that should be shared: Once, I was called for jury duty in Miami. When they interviewed me, they asked if I knew any of the lawyers present. Four were wearing my tie (no two alike) and the Judge admitted he owned a few too...  They sent me home.

Gee, as much as I dislike jury duty, maybe I'll start designing ties.

She also adds, I probably only made 10,000 ties in 15 years.

So, that makes me cherish my Jandel Zombel original even more.

And, a final comment from MS. Zombel, I made it BIG in a small way.

When I look at this lovely tie, I feel that she made it big in quite a big enough way.

Congratulations to her... and to me for having one of only 10,000 of her ties, which I am happy to blog again.

There is more to my life than neckties. Copyright © 2008 by Michael Segers, all rights reserved  

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