September is always about the creation of the world. After the summer’s haphazard ways, we find new patterns and new ways of being. It is, as Thomas Merton once wrote, the time of year when everyone is filled with ambition. As the cooler air reinvigorates us, there is room for innovation.
Which might scare us Presbyterians, I suppose. We do like tradition and order and decorum. And yet we are supposed to be always reforming, aren’t we? So with both these things in mind – innovation and tradition – I think we have some celebrating to do.
Because this year is the 100th birthday of the binder clip.
That humble stationary implement, the complicated cousin to the paperclip, was designed in 1910 by one Louis E. Baltzley and since then the stalwart fastener has done its duty worldwide. It holds papers together with more conviction than any paperclip yet with a flexibility unoffered by the staple. It is a beautiful member of the office team. But (and here’s the real cause for celebration), like us belabouring parents, the binder clip’s real work is done at home. With a little bit of innovation, this traditional desktop tool finds jobs throughout the home, establishing order out of chaos. And I’ve got photos to prove it.
Let’s start gently. I wrote last week about green parenting, and one of the environmental realities of living with children is that the artwork piles up. Solution? Binder clip galleries. A bit of string, a handful of clips knotted in whatever kind of pattern you like, and ta-da! Modern art extraordinaire. Before the babies came along, we had a wall devoted to postcards, all carefully arranged in a superb binder clip gallery. And it’s even kinetic – a light breeze creates a moving masterpiece, a delightful addition to any home.
You can also use binder clips as stand-up frames for other art or photos, recipe cards, or not-to-be-missed notes to the Spouse.
They work as clothes pins, fit to stand up to any gale, and are much better at sealing bags than any specially purchased doodad. And, of course, binder clips ensure a happy spouse when the tooth paste tube is in proper order.
Perhaps it is my desire to be creative or maybe it is just sheer Scots frugality, but I have always looked for other ways of doing things – simply and cheaply. The binder clip is perfect – hardworking, versatile, and subtly stylish to boot.
Hmmm, boots…
The binder clip – the prefect Presbyterian pincher. Long may she run. And ever reforming may we be.
You’d think from multiple references to these binder clips that I was really happy to have a stock of them in the house. But when I used one to fix my watch strap, it pinched my arm hairs and caught on my sleeve.
In all seriousness, they are a colourful and useful addition to the home. Looking forward to the date (I’ll keep an eye out for that note…)
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PR Reply:
September 29th, 2010 at 11:00 am
don’t forget the flowers
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I like your note. Especially the flowers “you” is supposed to bring along for the date. I should try that one. Maybe I’ll get the flowers I dream of!
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Love it. Why exactly do you have so many binder clips?! I love September, it is refreshing to reform and get started, again.
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Katie Munnik Reply:
September 29th, 2010 at 9:33 am
Really, I bought them to put some order into the house. And some colour, too. I usually use plastic kitchen clips, but after breaking several at my in-laws’ house over the summer, I thought that something a little more robust might be in order…
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Katie
Binder Clips. Funny you should mention Binder Clips this week. At our Army Cadet Corps, it was Supply Receiving week. Five weeks ago we ordered basic office supplies. The Order has now sitting on the floor of the Cadet Orderly Room. Binder clips was not on the list. And how come you ask? Because four years ago, the previous Admin Officer ordered a “box” of binder clips. What he didn’t realize is that in the Cadet world, a “box” of binder clips means over 5000 clips. Assorted sizes, all in basic black.
But isn’t the Binder Clip a great illustration of prayer? Like binder clips that we use to hold a million papers together (or socks!)and contain life’s chaos…. prayer gives us strength when our life seems in chaos. Prayer, like binder clips, are flexible enough to be used anytime anywhere for anything. Binder clips even resemble (use your imagination) our hands held together in prayer. Both binder clips and prayer just sit there doing nothing unless we pick them up and start using them. The big difference between prayer and binder clips? Prayer is an action while binder clips are just things.
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Way to go, I love it! I agree with your comments & the sentiments offered by others. I think this is also a reminder for me to get back in touch with my creative (& frugal) side.
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