14 February 26

Valentine's Day is always special for me and Beth, because it was the evening after a Valentine's Day dinner at Houghton College (now University) in 1975 that we agreed to get married! The romantic (true) story is that as we sat together in the student center lounge, listening to music by the Carpenters and the Association, etc., I said "I want you to marry me," and Beth said "What?" After I repeated it, she said "Okay." A short time later we were on the phone to tell our parents the news! Beth chose my bright red flowers tie for our dinner tonight at Nightjar in Berea.

6 October 24

 It's National Noodle Day! Tomorrow (7 October) is National Flower Day! The latter might be better styled as National-Flower Day, because it marks its origin in the 1986 presidential proclamation of the rose as the national flower of the United States. My tie celebrates roses and my tie bar features a bow-tie pasta.

7 September 22

After the French Revolution, the leaders of the new Republic chose to dispense with the old calendar practices of connecting the dating scheme with religion and mythology. They constructed a way to celebrate agrarian life by designating each day in the year to honor a farm animal, a farm tool or a plant (mainly crops). By their design today is Wild Rose Day (21 Fructidor, Églantier), and so I'm wearing this great flowery tie! The French Republican Calendar was used for only a dozen years (1973-1805) but it gives me many excellent occasions to wear ties!

7 September 21

There are several wonderful occasions for 7 September: (1) 52nd anniversary of the creation of the International Federation of Vexillological Associations (studying flags); (2) Google's 13th birthday; (3) International Manatee Day; (4) 43rd anniversary of the ricin-pellet-in-umbrella-tip spy assassination; (5) birthday of German chemist August Kekulé in 1829; and (6) Wild Rose Day on the French Republican Calendar (21 Fructidor, Églantier). This year I've chosen my Abney Red Flowers tie for number 6.

8 April 20

Hana Matsuri is an annual flower festival in Japan, celebrating Buddha's birthday! It gives me the chance to wear these new bright flowers.