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."

      #502 The title of this entry pretty much sums up my feelings on this chilly Thursday evening, as I look back on a week full of blog-foolishness, too many of the people I work for cancelling and weird technical problems. But, here's a necktie that is restful, with its orderly pattern.  This tie is from UNICEF (Salant Menswear Group, US, silk) not an organization that I have many neckties from.  It has an imprint on the back, "Medieval Tile | Circular pavement from Clarendon Palace, England."  That links to an article that associates Clarendon Palace with the Constitutions of Clarendon of 1164. 

     According to the constitutions of this blog, I shall continue the festive mood until February 5th, Ash Wednesday this year.  From then until the Saturday before Easter (not that I often wear a necktie on Saturday), I shall wear ties appropriate to Lent.  It is an opportunity for me to descend into the dustiest vaults for ties that I pass over during the rest of te year.  Until then, the good times are rolling on and on.  One of the best things about this blog is that it is very green, since my ties are all recycled, so to speak.  When I purchase them, I do not line the pockets of big business, but since they are purchased in thrift shops (there are six such stores within an easy lunchtime walk of my office), they all represent acts of charity. 

Copyright © 2008 by Michael Segers, all rights reserved

     #501 Yes, after 500 ties I can come up with something completely different!  This is a Giorgo Armani tie (and I don't believe I've ever blogged one of his), but best of all, it is a brand new fabric.  Not silk, not cotton, not polyester, not wool, not any of the odd synthetics that the old ties are made of.  This one is - just the flax, ma'am - made in Italy of linen.  There is a link with yesterday's Egyptian theme, because linen two or three thousand years old has been found, intact, in the tombs of the Pharaohs.  I've mentioned before that I wish I could post the textures.  This one really needs to be touched to be appreciated.  And, that's enough for tonight.   

      Not really.  I just checked in on one of the coziest spots on the Internet, Gentle Breeze in the United States.  It is crammed full of good friends, bright artwork, and jokes that are worth sharing.  Somehow, whenever I visit Ms. Breeze's neighborhood, I believe I can smell the coffee brewing, so friends can sit a spell and chat.  Well, to my surprise tonight, I found that she had made me a present.  Thanks, Ms. Breeze.  Next time, I'll bring doughnuts.

Copyright © 2008 by Michael Segers, all rights reserved

     #500 at last, and it's an Egyptian-themed tie from the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Silk, Canada).  These Museum ties have appeared in this blog with some frequency, most recently, at the end of 2007.  I've even blogged another Metropolitan Museum of Art tie with an Egyptian theme, which is appropriate, because when I used to visit the Museum, I always headed for the Egyptian wing first.

     Most Metropolitan Museum of Art ties are rather simple, based on repetitive decorative designs.  Not this beauty, however.  Besides my fondness for Egyptian art, it could not have been more appropriate for me if I had designed it myself, with its bird and cat images, reflecting the presence in my home and heart of a parrot and two cats.  Best of all, up there in the corner, is the Eye of Horus, and eyes and their functions or disfunctions are an important part of this blog.

     Finally, it was given to me by my friend who appears here under the nom de blog of the Designated Shopper.  He finds great neckties for me, and I maintain a website for him.

     And now, it's time to present that beautiful blonde who is walking in the footsteps of another blonde, Marlene Dietrich, who has been recognized often in these postings for her fondness for wearing ties.  (Scroll down to the January 15th entry for a video of Dietrich wearing a bowtie.)

     It is my pleasure to present Cara Bell Crowder.  I've known her and worked in the same office with her for three years.  But, I want to share with you what Eva,  my colleague and Cara's best human buddy, has to say about her:

Cara Bell Crowder, a female Goldador (Yellow Labrador/Golden Retriever mix) arrived on my doorstep February 2002.  She has been the most affectionate, want-to-please canine of my three guide dogs.  She rarely needs a leash correction because a simple firm verbal correction sets her into a pouting mood.  When Cara is in harness, she is all about business.  When she is out of harness, she wants to play and snuggle.  Cara, like my previous dogs, received an education as well.  She accompanied me to Florida State University, to work, and abroad. 

Cara despises anything that has to do with water, aside from drinking.  To her the pool is just a huge bathtub and she wants nothing to do with it!  Her favorite treat is dog biscuits and a tug-of-war with her rope toy.  Cara required a refresher course in January 2007 but just turned seven in May and is back in shape and going strong.

     I would like to add that Cara received an education even before she met Eva.  She is a proud alumna of Southeastern Guidedogs.  Think of it as a sort of Ivy League school, where very intelligent students hang out, wearing politically incorrect fur and walking on four legs.  (Those crazy college kids!)

     An education at Southeastern is not cheap, and yet neither the four-legged students nor the people they serve pay anything.  So, Cara's modelling fee - $200 - was a donation to her alma mater.

     Whenever I am around guide dogs (follow that link to a great article), I am thankful that the people who need their help have such intelligent, well-educated assistants.  Yet, I am also thankful that I do not need their services.

     Just for a minute, follow Cara, at least her example, by visiting the website of Southeastern Guide Dogs, and sending a donation so that people who need a guide to find their potential can have one.  You can mail a donation directly to 4210 77th Street E., Palmetto, FL 34221.  Specify that it is for the "cookie bunch," an alumni group that Cara is involved with.

     Guide dogs may not all be beautiful blondes with such a flair for fashion, but they all have a beauty that only their teammates can truly perceive and appreciate. 

     Sorry about the cat on the tie, Cara, but it is for a good cause!

     Next: Just the flax, ma'am!  (Or, yes, after 500 ties I can come up with something completely different!)

 Copyright © 2008 by Michael Segers, all rights reserved