7 July 23

Today is a special day to celebrate pattern making and pattern discovery, and it even looms large in the history of computers. It's the birthday of Joseph Marie Jacquard (1752-1834), a French weaver and merchant. He is credited with developing the programmable loom, and the Jacquard name has long been associated with repeating patterns woven into fabric. My burgundy plaid tie is one of several in my closet with woven patterns. Jacquard's programming for the loom was based on a sequence of punched cards, directing the operation of hooks to guide the yarn. This idea eventually became the basis for all sorts of calculating machines, down to the 20th-century "modern" computers receiving their instructions from decks of punched cards.

19 November 21

I have no special occasion for my ties on 19 November, so I'm wearing this classy Pendleton® wool burgundy plaid. Today is the 158th anniversary of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, and it was designated as Equal Opportunity Day by the National Urban League in 1956. It is also World Toilet Day, according to the United Nations, created to recognize the tremendous value of toilets for health and welfare and "to inspire action to tackle the global sanitation crisis."

28 May 20

Today's burgundy plaid tie is a staple of my collection but it's been unseen since June 2018. The big green paper clip celebrates Paper Clip Day (tomorrow)! I'm not sure why 29 May was chosen for this honor, because it would make more sense to attach it to 23 April (1867) when the first patent was granted.

8 January 20

How are you celebrating National Argyle Day? I'm wearing my Lands' End® argyle sweater, along with my Pendleton® (wool) dark burgundy plaid tie. Plaid Day can be celebrated either 18 May or the first Friday in October. During the day today I was asked if there is a "National Houndstooth Day" -- and unfortunately the answer is no.

3 June 18

My tie today is more "ordinary," because this is the first Sunday in Ordinary Time, and because it is a memorial to my father Arthur Kleppinger, who was born 102 years ago yesterday. He wore ties (like this) daily to his office job at Bethlehem Fabricators, Inc. As far as I know he's the one who taught me how to tie a Windsor knot.

15 August 16

On this date in 1040, Duncan I of Scotland was killed by his cousin Macbeth, who ruled until his own death on this date in 1057. My own genealogical heritage includes Scot from my mother's side (York). My Pendleton® tie's design matches no particular Scottish tartan, but its colors come close to those in some tartans for the Dunbar, MacDuff and Nicolson clans.



MacBeth


 Dunbar, MacDuff, Nicolson
    

11 January 16

Burgundy plaid tie, for a day with no special occasion! (It is "Clean Off Your Desk Day," but I don't have a tie that features a bonfire.)

3 September 14

Today's tie is a tribute to the Scottish heritage of our brother-by-inclusion Clyde David Burberry, on the occasion of his 70-somethingth birthday anniversary! It's a Pendleton wool tie but it's not showing the McLeod tartan.

20 March 13

Today is Sweater Day, honoring Fred Rogers' birthday (85 years ago). It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood! Would you be my neighbor?

20 January 11

Plain old day. Simple plain pattern. Bold shirt.

24 September 08

I wish I had a tie featuring Kermit or Miss Piggy or Fozzie Bear or Gonzo or any other Muppet, because Sept 24 marks the birthday of Jim Henson (in 1936). I chose plain old plaid instead.