Tower of Power.

MUG: RTIC travel mug, made in China but designed in Houston, stainless steel double-walled vacuum-insulated. Fourteen ounces (perfect size for hot coffee). Decorated with a commemorative sticker made by Sticker Mule.

COFFEE: Colombian Huila, Pitalito, from Barrett's Micro Roast Coffee.

NOTE: Keeps coffee warm. Doesn't burn lips. Doesn't impart a metallic taste. Nice large and broad handle. Glove friendly. Comes with a screw-down, leak-proof lid, but it's a tight fit in my MINI's cupholders. Fits. Barely.

The sticker was made for the MINI group trip to the Davis Mountains and the Big Bend.

Without a trust fund.

MUG: Made by Semper Texas (Chinese mug, I'm pretty sure), a standard 11 ounce imitation Waechtersbach barrel mug.

COFFEE: Colombian Huila, Pitalito, from Barrett's Micro Roast Coffee.

NOTE: A running joke of mine, used during introductions at public and private gatherings, is that I am something of a rarity. I am a fifth-generation Anglo Texan...without a trust fund. Some people chuckle. 

This was a thoughtful gift, from a thoughtful friend...both much appreciated.

Reflects well on my tastes.

MUG: Ozark Trails, made in China, stainless steel double-walled vacuum 'camp cup'. Eleven ounces. Decorated with a commemorative sticker made by Sticker Mule.

COFFEE: Colombian Huila, Pitalito, from Barrett's Micro Roast Coffee.

NOTE: Keeps coffee warm. Doesn't burn lips. Doesn't impart a metallic taste. Nice large and broad handle. Glove friendly. Comes with a lid, but it won't fit in the MINI's cupholders. $6.00 at a Walmart near you.

The sticker was made for the MINI group trip to the Davis Mountains and the Big Bend.

Cats meow, dogs bark. Wake up.

MUG: Chinese-made diner-style mug (the new lighter weight design I've been seeing... cheaper to ship), with a slogan promoting Dos Gatos Kolache Bakery, but no logo interestingly enough. Bonus points.

COFFEE: Katz Coffee medium roast. Over-roasted. Penalty points.

NOTES: Come to Dos Gatos for the excellent Kolaches and Klobasniks. Seriously.

The coffee? Meh. It's not bad.

Dos Gatos is owned (or was started by at least) two sons of the Katz Deli family out of Houston, who were attending school at Texas State. The same Katz family who makes Katz Coffee, and possibly owns Karbach Brewery as well.

'Dos Gatos' is two Katz.

Here's mud in your eye, Ludwig!

MUG: Waechtersbach, made in Spain, PMS Mud-colored, Composers Signature Edition.

COFFEE: Colombian Huila, Pitalito, from Barrett's Micro Roast Coffee.

NOTE: As you should know, I collect Waechtersbach coffee mugs. In the late 1970s, they produced a limited run of mugs with the signatures of Classical Music composers on them. They also produced a run of mugs in a natural color that I admired greatly (I called it PMS-Mud, and painted my entire duplex interior this color).

I never saw any of these 'mud-colored' (roughly, Pantone Matching System - Warm Grey 3 C) mugs in the Composers Series, and I never found a Beethoven mug I liked. But last week, I found the combo above on Ebay at a reasonable BIN price, and in good condition. I grabbed it. I was excited.

Unlike my last attempt to get this mug (a NOS older and heavier W German version), this one was shipped properly and arrived safe and sound. Still looking for a Bach-up plan.

Mug: The last in the series of four Texas History Movies Sesquicentennial mugs. Chinese promo-mug of a non-offensive design. Two-finger handle design.

Coffee: Colombia Huila, Pitalito, from Barrett's Micro Roast Coffee.

Note: The Battle of San Jacinto was one of history's (and especially American history's) most decisive battles. The entire political shape of the North American continent was changed in less than an hour by this conflict between roughly 2,000 armed men. The battle started one hundred and seventy two years ago this hour, as a small ensemble better suited for a tavern than a battlefield began to play the Irish melody, "Will Ye Come To The Bower". The opening volley of the Texian army's "Twin Sisters" cannons were fired soon after, and the fight was on. It was a battle with mythic elements that are true nonetheless:

Extreme bravery and courage (Texian general Sam Houston was shot off his horse while leading the attack, one of only 30 Texians hit by enemy fire),

Brutality (as Mexican soldier's begged for their lives by pleading "Me no Alamo! Me no Goliad", they were ruthlessly slaughtered by men who were drunk with vengeance... over 600 Mexican soldiers died in the battle, many of who were executed as they tried to surrender while standing in the waters of Buffalo Bayou),

Cowardice (General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna put on a private's tunic and hid in the weeds until captured), and...

Chivalry (Houston received the captured the General and spared his life from those who would have shown Santa Anna the same mercy he showed to Col. Fannin and his men at La Bahia... execution).

These are the things of myth, but being mythical does not always mean it is untrue.

Getting a grip on my addiction.

MUG: Stainless steel, double-walled vacuum insulated, 12 ounce, via Walmart's Ozark Trails. Made in China. Sans decoration. Nice handle, wide and large enough for gloved fingers. Won't fit in the MINI's cup-holders, however.

COFFEE: Colombia Huila, Pitalito, from Barrett's Micro Roast Coffee.

NOTES: I wanted to get a handle on my stainless steel vacuum insulated caffeine habit. $5.97 was simply irresistible.

NOTES 2: With decoration, a commemorative of a recent grand adventure.

Roses are red for a reason.

MUG: Made in the USA by Nostalgic Glass Works, with a Mexican Dia de los Muertos folk-motif image, laser engraved into the mug. Purchased at Terlingua Trading Post.

COFFEE: Colombian Santander from Central Market Westgate (mildly roasted in south Austin).

NOTES: Saint Valentine.

Big Shot

MUG: Starbuck's two ounce espresso cup, made in Thailand. It's from their 'Been There' series of cups. I've been there.

COFFEE: Guatemalan Antigua Dark Roast from Java Beans and Joe.

NOTES: A Christmas gift from Catherine. Sweet!

I got the coffee beans on Christmas Eve afternoon, because I wanted to make espresso and cappuccinos on Christmas. My local roaster closed very early, so I got these beans at the H-E-B grocery store before they closed for the day in the late afternoon.

Direct deposit.

MUG: 10 ounce Ozark Trails (Walmart) vacuum-insulated stainless-steel travel mug.

COFFEE: Colombian Huila.

NOTES: An experiment in coffee making that holds promise. I used the vacuum-insulated travel mug to steam heat and froth the milk, and then poured two shots of espresso into the cup directly.

Less mess, less fuss, good café au lait.

Dutch treat.

MUG: Chinese made cafe-style 'tactical defense' mug.

COFFEE: White Rock Coffee House Blend. Direct Trade Guatemalan, Brazilian and Colombian coffees, full city roast.

NOTES: The mug came from Henk's European Deli & Black Forest Bakery. I filled it at the Lake Highlands location of White Rock Coffee. If you find yourself in Dallas, I highly recommend both establishments. Superior product, service, and atmosphere. Orange you glad? I certainly am.

Handle with care.

MUG: Enameled steel with chrome lip (made in China), 16 ounce, via MINI Merchandise.

COFFEE: Colombia Huila, Pitalito, from Barrett's Micro Roast Coffee.

NOTES: Souvenir mug from MINI Takes The States 2018. Very attractive, unusable for anything hot (burn your hands, scald your lips, oh boy). Best use is either as a pencil cup, or as an ice and bourbon holder (two ice cubes, two ounces of Very Old Barton KSBW).

Happy as a pig in mud.

MUG: M Ware coffee mug (made in China), heavy cafe/naval-style mug ('tactical self-defense' weight?).

COFFEE: Colombia Huila, Pitalito, from Barrett's Micro Roast Coffee.

NOTES: While on a trip through parts of West Texas and The Big Empty, I stopped in at Booked Up, Larry McMurtry's bookstore/collection in his hometown of Archer City, Texas. I didn't have time to prowl around the shelves and stacks and tables of the two buildings, but I did have time to swap a couple of stories with the proprietress, and purchase this mug.

Raven-black coffee.

MUG: Texas Sesquicentennial coffee mug (from China), featuring a panel from the Texas History Movies graphic history book series.

COFFEE: Colombia Huila, Pitalito, from Barrett's Micro Roast Coffee.

NOTES: April 21, 1836: the Anglo-Celtic forging of what became known as 'America'.

MINI Traveller

MUG: Eleven ounce (one standard coffee mug) Chinese travel mug sold by MINI Lifestyles (a subsidiary of MINI USA). Perfect size for that last cup of coffee as you drive to work. Double-walled, stainless steel, vacuum insulated travel mug that actually fits in a MINI's cup-holder. The vacuum area is very small, so the insulating properties are small, too. The exterior is painted with a rubberized paint for excellent touch. The lid is omni-directional, and doubles as a drip cup when you get closer to end of your beverage.

COFFEE: 'Breakfast Blend' coffee beans, ground on demand by a monster-Kuerig coffee maker (no K-Cups) in MINI of Austin's customer lounge. Brewed 'strong' (the strongest of three choices). I don't think 'strong' means what Kuerig thinks it means. This machine replaces a similar Starbuck's-branded machine at the dealership.

NOTES: The ancestor of my MINI Clubman was the Morris Mini Traveller, whose father was the Morris Minor Traveller.

I'm mulling how to make glue from wine.

MUG: Fiesta Ware coffee/tea cup.

COFFEE: Nope. Nurnberger Christkindl Markt Glühwein.

NOTES: I should have added a cinnamon stick, and a few cloves. Happy New Year!

Trumpet Blast

MUG: Promotional mug, Chinese made, probably from Discount Mugs. Trumpet mouth, with a nice handle, and in the colors of the only high school football team I pay attention to... the Denison Yellowjackets.

COFFEE: The Colombian Huila from Barrett's.

NOTES: I secured this mug from the throwaway box at work. The Savannah Club is an apartment complex catering to students, with rents that start at $915 a month. Times have changed.

Survival of the fittest.

MUG: Chinese-made paid promotional 14 ounce cafe mug, made by Discount Mugs for White Rock Coffee (whose imprint appears on the left-handed front). A speckled-blue glaze on the exterior (reminiscent of enameled steel mugs), with a white interior glazing.

COFFEE: Colombia Huila, Pitalito, from Barrett's Micro Roast Coffee.

NOTES: Great coffee house/roastery/bulk green bean supplier in Dallas. The original location (where I got this, filled with a nice Rwandan coffee) is on Northwest Highway in the Lake Highlands neighborhood of Dallas... above White Rock Lake. This is the area I grew up in. WRC has been Targeted by the predatory scum at Starbucks Corporate for elimination.

The end of the line.

MUG: As shown before, this is a Spanish ceramic coffee mug with a beautiful yellow glaze featuring hand-painted images of olive leaves, stems, and fruit. The cast body has a hand-attached handle. Thick and fairly light. A bit undersized.

COFFEE: Fair-Trade Organic Colombian Supremo, medium-roasted in San Antonio by Melissa Guerra Latin Kitchen Market.

NOTES: The mug and coffee were both sourced from Melissa Guerra's shop in the Historic Pearl Brewery development in San Antonio. Due to rising rents and low sales volume, Melissa Guerra is closing shop today (although I believe she will maintain an internet store).

"I hope you roast in yellow!"

MUG: Spanish-made Waechtersbach. School bus yellow.

CONTENTS: Roasted tomato soup, creme-style. Brought to life with a few shots of Tabasco Sauce.

NOTES: From my time as the publisher of the unedited art magazine, Bwana-Art.