Imagine, “The Munsters Ghastly Glow Lamp” for only $225. Surely, you remember the spooky funny TV show by that name. It starred Herman, the head of the family with a Frankenstein-like head, his wife Lily, their son Eddie and Goofy Grandpa who all lived at 13 Mockingbird Lane. They also had a daughter, Marilyn, who was a total outcast because she looked like an all-American beauty instead of the rest of the family who resembled escapees from a haunted house. They were friendly monsters who meant no harm but caused the neighbors quite a fright. First of all, the crumbling second Empire Victorian mansion covered with smoke, dust and cobwebs lowered property values in the neighborhood. Lily’s idea of cleaning was to use her Electrolux to suck up all the dust so that she could cover any clean surfaces with it. Eddie was half vampire and half werewolf. His face resembled Senator Paul Ryan from Wisconsin, because of his hair line. Lily and Herman had trouble keeping the boy in line. Grandpa lived in the dungeon because he felt it was so damp, dark and homey. Their only vehicle was a combination hot rod and hearse. Herman had trouble driving because of his terrible temper tantrums. Sometimes he got so angry he destroyed part of the house, and the Munsters never repaired it. The neighbors shivered every time a newcomer visited the house. Visitors like the truant officer, insurance agents, contractors, and Avon ladies never made a second visit.
I think the Munsters would have gotten along with “The Addams Family” stars of another spooky funny show. This family was a bit more gentile and even had a butler named Lurch. Their house was the talk of the neighborhood because of the way it looked. The gothic house stood on Cemetery Lane near a swamp. It was a wreck! The family was very house proud though and bragged that every trap door worked! The family consisted of Gomez, a dashing lover of women, his wife Morticia with long black hair, a long black dress and questionable make-up practices. She drove Gomez crazy when she spoke French. He couldn’t stop kissing her hand. The actress who played their daughter went on to star as “Lizzie Borden, who took an ax and gave her father 40 wacks and when she saw what she had done gave her mother 41” fame. Pugsley the son was goth before it was a fashion statement. Cousin It was a disembodied hand. I am not making that up! One of the best features of the show was the catchy opening music which make you want to snap your fingers.
I think fondly of these shows every Halloween when all the gruesome, bloody, slasher movies appear on TV. By the way, cannibalism is also popular in some of these. This makes it difficult for me when I am trying to snack while watching. I understand that distant relatives of the Munsters and the Addams family have relocated to a small town in Minnesota which is known for its sink holes and Drury’s Furniture. Names have been changed to protect the innocent, but the family consists of a father and mother and son and daughter and a delightful grandmother who spends time not in a dungeon but rather on a screen porch. Their name starts with the “middle letter of the alphabet,” and they create a haunted house in an old barn every year. Sometimes you can’t escape your destiny!
Spice Cup Cakes Made from a Cake Mix with Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting
Buy any spice cake mix and follow directions on the box for cupcakes.
Frosting
1 cup butter (softened)
3 cups powdered sugar
2 Tbsp. whipping cream
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and beat until smooth. Frost cupcakes.
*I had to use a cake mix because I need to save my energy for tricks or treating! I did not buy the Munster lamp because I am waiting for after Halloween when it will go