A Precarious Perch

I spotted a metal paperclip teetering right on the beveled edge of the mantelpiece. Classic hazard waiting to happen. I shimmied up the decorative wooden moulding, planted both boots firmly on the smooth painted shelf, and gave the clip a firm nudge with both palms toward a heavy ceramic mug. It slid safely inward with a satisfying metallic clink, tucked securely against the glazed pottery base. Crisis averted, perimeter tidy.