Today is World DNA Day, recognizing the 71st anniversary of the publication of the structure of the DNA molecule. My tie's design is based on the gel electrophoresis plates that helped reveal the sequence of peptides (guanine-cytosine and adenine-thymine) in the double helix.
This is National Kindergarten Day, honoring the birthday of Friedrich Wilhelm August Fröbel (1782-1852). He created the concept of the kindergarten and coined the word. He also developed the educational toys known as Froebel gifts. Friedrich Fröbel's great insight was to recognize the importance of the activity of the child in learning. He introduced the concept of "free work" (Freiarbeit) into pedagogy and established the "game" as the typical form that life took in childhood, and also the game's educational worth. Activities in the first kindergarten included singing, dancing, gardening, and self-directed play with the Froebel Gifts (geometric building blocks and pattern activity blocks). (Information from Wikipedia.) My tie is covered with alphabets and images of children drawing simple objects, like a necktie, a bus, a school and a dog. My own kindergarten fun began in September 1958 at Lincoln Elementary School in Bethlehem, PA, in the "new building," under the guidance of "Mrs. Deysher." The other kindergarten class across the hall was led by "Miss Andrews."
I'm letting Mona Lisa smile enigmatically to honor the birthday tomorrow (on 15 April 1452) of Leonardo Da Vinci. And I'll mention the birthday anniversary a few days ago of Papa Dave Tennill, father of our amazing daughter-in-law Courtney. He gave me this shirt with the logo from his geothermal installation company WaterFurnace® (because he gave up wearing ties when he retired).
Our grandson Paul and his younger sister Dana Rose had birthday celebrations recently! Paul's daddy helped him choose my tie for today -- brightly-colored children's hands!
For Easter I usually wear my butterflies tie, because butterflies represent resurrection well. This time I've chosen this very bright flowery explosion instead! The Lord is risen indeed!
Happy Birthday, daughter Amanda Wheeler! She asked me to wear my fleur-de-lis tie because she loves France and New Orleans!
Today, 18 March 2024, is a memorable day in the history of the Kleppinger/Wheeler families. Through the legal powers of the Madison County Family Court, Judge Nora J. Shepherd declared that Branston Michael Kleppinger is the son of Benjamin Kleppinger and Amanda Wheeler! Branston is also adored by his siblings Evelyn and Tinslee, ten cousins, several generations of aunts and uncles, many special friends, four grandparents and a great-grandmother -- living mostly in Madison County! Branston is 5 and a half years old. He gave me this green tie (his favorite color) for my birthday last year, so I had to wear it today!
St. Patrick's Day! According to my mother, our York heritage traces back to England, Scotland and Ireland. My work on Ancestry.com has not revealed any ancestors' birthplaces in Scotland or Ireland yet, but I'll keep looking.
Being retired is not an excuse from celebrating Pi Day on 3/14! I am working outdoors at home today, but I circumvented my gardening clothes to wear this π tie for 3 minutes and 8.4 seconds, which is 3.14 minutes.
It's one of the first days in 2024 when it's comfortably warm to wear a T-shirt. So I'll take this chance to don my retirement present from my good friend and EKU IT comrade Philip Gump -- a very casual way to wear a necktie!
