My grandparents grew up when kerosene lamps were the only form of lighting. When the electric arrived their old house became a beacon of light to all around. In their fascination they became hoarders of every form of lighting they could find. Grandad would scour the weekend papers looking for garage sales, jump in his car returning hours later with some new lamp they didn’t already have.
I always thought it a shame the house was too small for their collection and the spill over landed on the veranda. Grandad always said, ‘You can never have too much light.’
posted for: http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2014/02/05/7-february-2014/
Morpethroad 
Dear Michael,
How enlightening. And I’m sure I’ve opened myself up for a week of pun and games. 😉 Seriously, I loved the story. Collections can get out of hand, can’t they? Grandad’s last line was the perfect ending. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks Rochelle, it was a fun write, shame you restricted me to 100 words.
Some days are tougher than others. 😉 At any rate you used your hundred words well.
Happy for you enlightening words. Have a good day.
Good comment Rochelle! How enlightening you are too!
Thanks!
I enjoyed this story. It reminded me of the old farms in the U.S. State of Ohio where I’m from.
Thanks Patricia, good you can connect with my story.
Lovely story Michael. I loved the phrase “when the electric arrived” – it was just the way grandparents would say it.
Thanks Sandra, hmm…maybe I am showing my age..
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Lovely piece but when I think of hoarders, I just go crazy!
Yes they drive me crazy too.
I feel a bit that way, too. I can’t understand why builders don’t put ceiling lights in every room. You can always add lamps. In our rental house, the living room has a high ceiling with a lovely fan, but not light package. I just don’t get that! And hoarders make me crazy, too.
janet
Thanks Janet never ceases to surprise me what people do hoard.
Grandad was right!
Thank you for reading and your comment.
I like that mentality, ‘you can never have too much light’. This does remind me of my grandparent’s house, filled with many old knick-knacks and collectibles.
-David
Thanks David, happy you could connect, thanks again for the comment.
‘You can never have too much light.’ such a lovely line. 🙂
Thank KZ for reading, glad you liked my story.
Great story…I can so hear MY granpa saying the same thing! 🙂
Thanks Courtney, it’s good when you can connect with a story. Must be our age we had grandad’s who lived that way.
Nice story. I like the simplicity of it.
And – true – ‘You can never have too much light.’ 🙂
Thanks RoSy, it is true isn’t it, you can never have too much light. That’s what lighthouse keepers say anyway.
Grandma is right never too much light. Nice story.
Thanks so much Kim, yes you can’t have too much can you.
A lovely, touching story.
Thanks etienne, lovely comment.
Great story Michael. My grandparents still used kerosene lamps, when they finally got electricity they were more intrigued by the TV my dad bought them. I remember sleeping in a big bed with my siblings when we were visiting and the blankets would freeze to the wall at night. No lamps, no indoor bathroom either. Man that was cold! They were way behind the times!
I bet. I remember a mate of mine telling me when he first married and he and he wife didn’t have a lot of money they rented this little old house where on a cold morning you’d wake up to frost on top of the blankets.
Yeah, I’ve been in places like that. Brr and I complain now. haha! I’ve grown soft.
Maybe we have it too easy now, what with electric blankets and what not.
Hmmm should I give up my electric blanket? Not yet!
Couldn’t resist the dig, as I don’t use one.
Yeah, well, if my mind was sharper today you’d be in trouble! haha!
Spot on! Great contribution!
Thanks so much, mumma! Thank you for reading.
I remember kerosene lamps, my grandmother had a few. Those things are dangerous, but what wonderful light!
Thanks Glynis you are right thy were dangerous, and smelly, but every one used one. Thanks again, please call again.
Nice and sweet story! It feels very true.
Thanks Gabriella, mostly fiction this one.
Michael, I love that you went with the assumption that this was all typical and part of a normal life, lived by folks who are in awe of what’s new. Really special!
Thanks Dawn, it was a fun write, as every FF is. Must go read your now.
This made me chuckle out loud great story!
Thanks Riya happy it made you laugh. Have a good day.
I find the assorted spins on a prompt interesting, in this case, enlightening. Your literal interpretation works well, Michael.
All my best,
MG
Thank you Marie, I appreciate your comment and reading. Please call again.
I will! 🙂
I love the grandpa and the loving tone of this story.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment.
Granddad was very enlightened. Lovely story.
Thank you so much, it was a fun write.
Collections can indeed be shameful.. Ha but really the backdrop of replacing the kerosene lamps made it worthwhile.
Thanks Bjorn as always I enjoy reading your comments.
Very nice read 🙂
Thanks you so much.
Thank you Mr Binks.
Very clever story – wait until they get their first electric bill – but maybe they own a wind mill. Good story! Nan
Thanks Nan, I think that bill may cause them to change their attitude to light.
Sounds like a real enthusiast! I wonder what new invention he’ll jump on next.
Thank you for your comment, I guess you could just speculate, maybe glass bottles?
Could probably see their house for a country mile on a clear night.
Yes I think they were a bit a lighthouse around the district. Thanks for the comment.
Well I can agree with loving light…but well, that is a bit much 😀
Thanks Georgia, I agree a hobby is a hobby until it becomes an obsession.
I guess a bit obvious on my part! I actually know someone who collects and collects just about anything that has to do with computer parts…and the interesting thing is he insists he’s not a collector.
Grandpas do have some queer hobbies 😉
Some do I agree, but it keeps them occupied. Thanks for the comment.
Well Granddad was a wise old man. I do remember my grandmother telling me that when they got electricity when she was six, they were all scared to death of it. Apparently people were getting electrocuted left and right from not understanding how it worked! Great story Michael! 😀
Thanks Linda, I can imagine it was a shocking time for many. Hope you are doing well.
What a lovely take on the prompt. Loved the last line 😀 well done!
Thank you Tinkerbelle, happy you could read my post.
Ah,how simple changes can add a new dimension to one’s life and even make one a “collector” ;-)A sweet story my friend and I agree with Grandpa(though the electric bill may give one a heart attack,lol).
Thanks Atreyee yes one wonders about the power bill.
🙂
Great piece of nostalgia.
Thank you Patrick yes it is.
I agree with that one, Michael. You can never have too much light. Besides, these lamps found a spot outside on the veranda. Great story!
Thanks Amy, have a good day.
Hmm electric indeed 🙂 lovely piece.
Thank you camgal I appreciate your comment.
🙂
Lovely Story
I know how addictive collecting stuff can be
*sigh* i wish i had a collection of lamps like ‘Grandad’ 😀
Cheerio!
Thank you so much for your comment. Yes collecting is addictive no doubt about it.
A sweet, touching story.
Thanks Melissa for reading and your comment.
I suppose that little saying could be a metaphor for life in general.
So true Dawn, thanks for the comment
Love Grandpa’s last line. Maybe he should have opened a museum.
Thanks Sarah that’s a good idea.