6 April 26

It's National Tartan Day! By Congressional actions in 1998 and 2005, and a Presidential Proclamation in 2008, April 6th of each year is National Tartan Day. The day recognizes Scottish Americans and their achievements and contributions to the United States.

On this day in 1320, Scots signed the Declaration of Arbroath, formally declaring their independence from England.

My tie's plaid design is not an officially registered tartan, but it closely resembles Clark Ancient, Arbuthnot Ancient and Scott Dress Turquoise. If I have any Scottish heritage it comes from the British Isles ancestors on my mother's side (York).

27 January 23

For her birthday today, Beth asked me to wear something blue and plaid -- so this is the one we chose! The colors are close to those in Lamont Ancient Plaid Tartan. Every January Beth catches up to my age. I am surprising her with some granola from Purely Elizabeth. We are a little sad that our house did not receive the snow cover we had hoped for today, but there was a little snow in our grass yesterday, and meanwhile sister Faith (whose birthday is on Sunday) has been enjoying good snowfall in Cincinnati.

25 October 22

Today's tie simply deserves to be seen -- I had not worn it since January 2021, and I like its vibrant colors. Today's noteworthy celebrations include International Artists' Day and Beet Day (on the French Republican Calendar), and this also marks the birthdays of composers Johann Strauss II (1825-1899) and Georges Bizet (1838-1875).

26 January 21

My special occasion for today has nothing to do with this very nice blue plaid tie (unseen since July 2019). Two years ago today we welcomed a boy cat named Gizmo into our home, helping our nephew Jack Lang and Emily Carr. They had rescued Gizz "off the street" in Cincinnati, but they could not keep him at their apartment. Last February we learned that Gizmo-Jack is diabetic, and so it's been my job to give him his insulin injections twice a day! In these photos he is struggling to get away, to go back to his favorite locations near water and food.

7 January 19

Happy Birthday, niece (-in-law) Rachel Beatty! Rachel is married to Matt Lang and they live in Asheville, NC. Last week Rachel switched jobs from Michael's (crafts store) to National/alamo (car rentals). We also know that she loves words and creative writing. She suggested that I wear a tie featuring Tiffany Blue, which caused me to learn the following facts: "Tiffany Blue is the colloquial name for the light medium robin egg blue color associated with Tiffany & Co., the New York City jewelry company, created by Charles Tiffany and John Young in 1837. It should not be mistaken for teal, which is a completely different color." So the light medium blue on this tie is NOT teal. You can see the official shade of Tiffany Blue through Wikipedia.

1 February 18

My calendar notes that today marks the date in 1709 for the rescue of the shipwrecked sailor whose story was the source for "Robinson Crusoe" by Daniel Defoe. It's also the birthday of Clark Gable (1901-1960). I'm marking the day by debuting another Christmas gift tie -- one of eleven! -- a diagonal plaid design with colors close to those of the Lamont Ancient Tartan. Thanks to Rachel and David Haskins!