much to remember and reuse

 keepers 

Plastic Aprons

I was finishing my lunch.

The volunteers were getting ready to leave.

As I watched, they torn off the white plastic aprons.

The regular staff had dark colored cloth aprons.

That phase of the community outreach was complete.

Just then I appreciated how that cleverly shaped garment is so useful.

The covering of the front of each person that served allowed them to stay clean.

They could work with foods that might get messy yet leave without any spots.

One could argue that each article of clothing is a silent servant.

And in most respects that is correct.

But it was the tearing of the white plastic that made me notice the utility of this item.

I see you there silent servants.

Yellow Umbrella

There in the middle of the downtown intersection was a yellow umbrella.

It was mounted on a metal stand over an open manhole.

Nearby was a truck with signage of a utility company.

There were wires running from the truck into the hole.

That yellow umbrella was casting a shadow over the open hole.

This caught my attention because I rarely see yellow umbrellas.

I do not recall seeing such a device used like that for shade before.

Then I noticed the umbrella itself.

There were a few metal ribs that were stretching some fabric.

It was an efficient way to cause a shadow.

Then it was easy to minimize the size for storage and use on another day.

Normally I see umbrellas used to shield from rain.

Mostly they are black.

That yellow one at that location grabbed my attention.

I have used umbrellas many times over the years.

They kept the rain off me.

I did not notice or appreciate the value they offered me.

Clearly umbrellas are silent servants.

I see you there silent servants.

Pigeons in Formation

Over the streets downtown the pigeons sometimes soar together.

There is a very special elegance as they gracefully turn together.

They seem to have a common mind as they dance through the air as a team.

Many times, as they glide in for a landing together. it is breath taking.

Bed

I have slept on the floor before

I have slept on couches.

I have slept in bedrolls with and without a cot.

I have slept on the decks of sail boats

I do not recall ever just sleeping under the stars with no bedding.

When I was in my 20s it did not matter much where I slept.

But now in my 60s I have some preferences.

I notice that a bed is a silent servant that I have taken for granted.

I see you there silent servant.

Stairs

I was leaving my residence in the morning.

Then I noticed another silent servant.

Those stairs had faithfully allowed me to move up and down to the third floor.

The steps and railing had been there for me daily.

And at the library I have used the stair more often than the elevator.

I had never thought of the usefulness of this provision.

The stairs are built sturdy and will long lasting.

Little by little I am becoming more aware of the world around me.

I see you there silent servant.

Candle Holders

I was in the library enjoying the oversize books.

Those shelves with huge coffee table books have lots of excellent pictures.

I go there sometimes for a visual treat.

I was enjoying the lovely images of the paintings of Michelangelo.

It was stunning to me to notice how he used candle light in his works.

That was normal for his era but odd for these days.

Then in the paintings I recognized another silent servant.

The candle stick holders made lighting those places possible.

There were a wide range of them in the many beautiful works of art.

A case could be made that candles are silent servants too.

I feel generous in naming those and any neglected part of modern life as a silent servant.

I see you there silent servants.