12 May 22

This is the third time I've worn this tie for International Nurses' Day, celebrated annually on the birthday of Florence Nightingale (1820-1910). Its red and silver crossing stripes remind me of the symbol often seen on nurses' caps (historically). In my own family history, my mother's brother Wayne and his wife Marion were both nurses in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Next year I may need to find a different way to honor nurses, because the familiar "cap" has become a controversial, problematic symbol.

12 May 21

Today is International Nurses Day! (Florence Nightingale's birthday is 12 May 1820.) In my own family history, my mother's brother Wayne and his wife Marion were both nurses in Kalamazoo, Michigan. I chose to wear these red crossing stripes to recall the symbol often seen on nursing caps.

13 May 19

One day late to celebrate International Nurses' Day! (Florence Nightingale's birthday is 12 May 1820.) In my own family history, my mother's brother and his wife were both nurses in Kalamazoo, Michigan. I chose to wear these red crossing stripes to recall the symbol often seen on nursing caps.

8 November 17

This is Dorothy Day's Day! Day was born on this day in 1897. The short story is that she was "an American journalist, social activist, and Catholic convert. Day initially lived a bohemian lifestyle before gaining fame as a social activist after her conversion" (Wikipedia). The "Atlantic" calls her "a saint for difficult people." Photos of Saint Dorothy show that she dressed plainly, but I think she would not object to this tie with red and silver crossing stripes to honor her memory.

12 January 16

Another day with no special occasion to celebrate -- so I'll wear this tie that hasn't seen the world since last winter.

6 January 15

Today is Epiphany, so I'm happy to reveal yet another Christmas gift tie -- this one from our son David Anderson. This would have been my mother's 99th birthday, and I am sure she would have approved this mixture of burgundy and dark gray/silver!