I’ve found the perfect replacement…

I have an old lamp. I’m very fond of it.

I’m so fond of it that I’ve carried it around with me since high school in spite of all the other stuff I’ve lost, sold, given or thrown away over the years. I did a gas-money job of yard work for an old lady one weekend. When I was leaving she had a whole bunch of trash she wanted me to take to the landfill, and instead I brought it home and my brother and I went through it. Made more money selling the old books this old lady wanted to throw away than she actually paid me.

Anyway, this old lamp was in there, and there was absolutely nothing wrong with it except the cord was missing its plug. I’ve had it for over forty years now, and it’s incredible that I’ve kept it so long. I’m not careful with my possessions, but this old lamp has gone through two re-wirings and who knows how many cheap lampshades.

What brought it to mind, though, is that today I saw the thing I’d happily swap it for, straight up…