Wednesday, August 26, 2009

The Ugly Lamp Contest







Sorry to be a day late-my desktop computer is badly infected and at my computer hero's house for a major hospitalization. So, it took me a little bit of time to get up and running on my laptop. Not to mention the three days I spent trying to fix it myself. :(
For many years Lynn's Paradise Cafe, one of my favorite fun restaurants to visit, has sponsored an Ugly Lamp Contest. Lynn's tables are adorned with them and a few just hang out around the place. Lynn's is a quirky place that also has good food. You can't always find both, you know. Lynn started her business in a house on Frankfort Avenue, expanded to the house next door and eventually needed even MORE room and moved to the Highlands. It is now housed in a building that was a very characteristic shape of a Denny's or something akin to that.Boxy with a big, wide, tall pointy roof. You know what I'm talking about.
I always just enjoyed looking around at the brightly painted walls, collages, kids' art, lamps, banners, decorated deciduous tree-yes, a big one with Christmas lights and playing the games that are on the table. Easy place to occupy kids of any age, including me.
My typical meal there is the meatloaf and mashed potatoes or the turkey dinner complete with trimmings. But, breakfast is served all day and I sometimes go for that.
Oh, yes, the Ugly Lamp contest. This has grown over the years and some of the entries border on the absurd. Just how much junk can we plaster onto something that has a light bulb, too? You will find out when you go!
There are several categories. There are so many "leg lamp" entries inspired by A Christmas Story, that they have their own category. One of those was my favorite this year and won a ribbon.
One disgusting lamp is the, I'll call it-Nature Lamp-complete with dead insects on the shade and a stuffed squirrel. Uck.
I sort of liked this multipurpose lamp in a lovely marbled plastic. It has an alarm clock, music box and phone! Not to mention the little brass knob that you barely touch to turn on the lamp and increase the wattage. Cool! I'd put it in my house!
But, the one I loved the best from the moment I saw it, was the cast base with fake foot and the leg x-rays made into a shade for it. Clever, indeed! What better way to commemorate a broken bone than a lamp with all the related items!
I always like looking at the lamps at the fair.This year did not disappoint.
Next post-"Life is Sweet!"

4 comments:

Yogi said...

very interesting contest. sheesh
nice cast lamp.

donna said...

That lamp with the squirrel and insects scares me. I know about Lynn's Paradise Cafe. Have seen mention of it here and there over the years. Recently, I clipped from a magazine a recipe for its Bourbon Ball Milk Shakes. The turkey dinner with trimmings sounds better.

Beth Akins said...

Ooh, I had the turkey dinner today!! it was yummy!

lindalou said...

Brilliant lamps. What a great idea. People imaginations always amaze me.

I'll join you on the meatloaf and mashed potatoes. I love a good meatloaf. Is that weird?