28 Days of Gratitude: Day Twenty - Doorknobs and Levers

The city of Vancouver has passed an ordinance that all new construction, including private homes, install levers on all doors rather than doorknobs.  Imagine.  A house with no doorknobs.  I imagine that we would get used to it, but really, no doorknobs?  Well, I do know it is not that big a deal.  Levers actually are more usable for all people, especially those with physical disabilities.  I also imagine it will make it a lot easier for dogs and even cats to open doors...maybe doors they shouldn't, but that's beside the point.  

The potential of the demise of doorknobs (probably realistically not in any of our lifetimes) made me think about them as I never had before.  And since this is a blog about things we are grateful for, I realized I am grateful for doorknobs...at least for things like doorknobs.  I am grateful for the things that make our lives easier, better in some ways.  How else would we open doors?  With levers, I know.  Or perhaps pulls.  Or maybe just pushing them open and closed, lifting them up and out.  Bottom line here, I am grateful, I suppose, not just for doorknobs, but for the ingenuity and inventiveness of humankind.  Aren't we something?  

So, yes, I am grateful for plain old ordinary brass, glass, wood or ceramic doorknobs.  They may be ubiquitous, but an invention the creates a safer and more convenient life for us all, should be given its due.  Thank goodness for doorknobs.

Here is a link to the article about the new ordinance in Vancouver for your information:
http://www.salon.com/2013/11/21/vancouver_bans_doorknobs_partner/

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