Before © Ricky Yates
The photograph on the left, shows the top of the organ in Kostel sv Kliment/St. Clement’s Church, as it was until August 2014, and as it had been for all of the previously nearly six years I’ve been Chaplain to the English-speaking Anglican congregation in Prague. At the centre of the picture is a mirror on a stand, to enable the organist to see beyond the front wall of the balcony, and know what is going on at the front of the Church – in particular, to know when to stop playing once the administration of Communion is complete.
But because the mirror stand is not sufficiently high, it has been propped up on three music and four words editions of our hymn book. Over that time, I have often observed this set up and thought how wasteful it was. We didn’t buy these hymn books to prop up a mirror – we bought them so people could sing from them to the praise and glory of God! And as in early 2012, I transferred three music and fifteen words editions of our hymn book permanently to Brno, for our congregation who worship there, the misuse of these books has become an ever more acute issue.
The problem has always been knowing what would be a suitable replacement for the mirror to sit on. In particular, knowing the correct dimensions – the required height, together with the length and breath of the base of the mirror stand. I always observed the problem just before, or following, Sunday worship. Therefore, my mind was inevitably on other things and I never have a measuring tape with me.
After © Ricky Yates
However, just over two months ago, I finally got around to measuring what was required. Then, when on a visit to IKEA, I spotted a little box storage unit, costing CZK 300, (less than £10.00 at current exchange rates), with the correct dimensions. The current value of the hymn books propping up the mirror, is £111.00. I bought the box!
Just as it took me nearly six years to solve this problem, so it has taken me over two months to finally complete this blog post and publish it. But in both cases, I did eventually get there 🙂
My computer monitor sits on books; unlike in your case, though, they’re old schoolbooks nobody needs anymore…
Interesting to put it into monetary terms like that. I dare say the box looks nicer, too.
I guess that finding some books of the correct dimensions, that nobody needs any longer, would have been the other solution. By going online, I discovered what these hymn books would cost to purchase now and it just strengthened my resolve to finally do something about it.
Hi Ricky,
The getting there is the important part I think 😉 I am reminded of the lady who was unimpressed at the house maintenance skills of her new son-in-law when she observed the kitchen table in her daughters house had one leg shorter than the other three. On her return home she bought a large hardback book called ‘DIY Home Maintenance Manual’ and posted it to her son in law; expecting great things on her next visit. When she visited them she was vexed to find the short leg of the table neatly propped on the manual as she sat down to tea. Keep smiling, Sean.
Thank you, Sean! That the task is finally completed is the most important part. I love your story – one only an Irishman could retell 🙂
It looks like a wonderful solution. It is funny how often stacks of books find a use in that way. I usually can find some that I know I don’t really need anymore. One nice thing about them in my experience is that you can create a collection that gets to the right height (because you have so much variation in the book sizes).
Indeed it is a wonderful solution, John. But what you say about using books to prop things up is borne out by the two previous comments!
Well done, Ricky. The box looks much nicer than a pile of books and the librarian in me hates the thought of wasting books like that in any case. 🙂
Thank you once more, Perpetua! It was the misuse of the books that finally drove me to do something. Whilst on most Sundays, we have sufficient hymn books for everyone who comes to worship, there are occasions such as Easter Day or having a visiting choir, when we need every available hymn book. Now we have several more available!