6 August 24

It's (past) time to celebrate Jonathan Kleppinger's birthday! (1 August.) He asked me to wear this tie featuring children dressed with international flags, to celebrate the Olympics and international competition/cooperation. Granddaughter Evelyn (who just turned 5) instantly found the American-flag-shirted boy near the middle of the detail picture. The crown tie clip is there for all of the champions.

7 September 23

Lovers of vexillology (the study of flags) met in Boston, Massachusetts on 7 September 1969 to create the International Federation of Vexillological Associations ("FAIV," from the French version of the name). My tie shows children sporting flags from many nations around the world. The FAIV has its own official flag, of course.

26 July 22

 Today is World Tofu Day. I tried to think of a suitable pun but it hasn't oc-curd to me yet. My tie, covered with children wearing many national flags, helps celebrate One Voice Day, a peace-lover's holiday that is brand new to me. "One Voice Day unites all countries of the world with the reading of the Universal Peace Covenant on July 26th at 6 p.m. UT [which is 1 p.m. EDT] each year. Individuals and groups around the world unite spiritually, declaring their commitment to global peace while reading the covenant, a 577-word peace pledge which "serves as an instrument defining how to think peacefully and live peaceably in a world that is constantly changing." Students at the School of Metaphysics—who were "from all walks of life, several religious beliefs and nationalities, diverse occupations, all races, as young as seventeen and as old as seventy-five"—created the pledge in 1996 and 1997, and it was signed on October 8, 1997." The litany is published in 13 languages (so far).

4 October 20

 I'm dressing up a little for World Communion Sunday -- the very first time we will celebrate this at home. I like these children wearing flags from all nations. The label says "If We All Work Together" and the design was made by a 12-year-old named Leah.

18 February 20

This evening I've been invited to share "the story of my ties" with the Kiwanis Club of Richmond, KY. I learned that the motto of Kiwanis International is "Serving the Children of the World," and so I've chosen this tie -- featuring children of the world wearing their national flags -- for this very special occasion! I'll be showing off about 50 ties, some in person and others through computer display. I started keeping my tie blog in April 2008, and it now runs to 2450 entries! I have about 260 ties, including about 40 solids and ordinary stripes. And I have dozens of ties that I'd have to label as "my favorites." But I still welcome new additions . . .

13 November 19

Today is World Kindness Day! Please be kind to people. My tie celebrates children around the world, wearing shirts with their national flags. TV station WQED in Pittsburgh, PA has also designated this as National Cardigan Day, honoring the kindness of "Mister" Fred Rogers, whose program Mister Rogers' Neighborhood originated at that station (and who regularly wore cardigans!). A biographical movie about Fred Rogers premieres later this month, starring Tom Hanks.

27 May 18

Today our family is celebrating Mother's Day! We had to delay our party this year until all our mothers could be together: Mom (Wilma Wollenweber), Beth, Faith, Courtney, and Amanda (because she and Ben are now expectant foster parents!). Yesterday we had a "bath" for Ben and Amanda -- not a shower! -- with the theme of children's BOOKS! All of the foods had book associations, like "Pinkalicious" for the pink punch, "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" for the fruit tray, and "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" for the crock-pot of meatballs. Beth and Amanda produced guessing games based on book titles and famous characters. Ben and Amanda received all sorts of books, games, art supplies and child care items. My tie for today features children dressed in flags from nations around the world.

9 August 16

Today Beth and I are celebrating our 41st wedding anniversary! We enjoyed lunch together on our first visit to Noodle Nirvana, a new "socially conscious build-your-own noodle shop" here in Berea. We agreed that today was the right day for the debut of this tie featuring children and flags from all around the world.