My Mugsistential Crisis

I found that one of the most challenging things in transitioning to our new overlanding life is my attachment to many things. I admit, I like things. I know that experts say that experience make you happy and not things. I like my things. I like my leather overnight bag, I like the cocktail glass that I bought from the tapas place we like to go to, I like my car. These things bring me pleasure.

I’m going to be giving much of them up for our new life on the road. There are items that I don’t have a choice on. I must sell my car. My Dewalt table saw has no place in the rig. These choices are made for me by the overall lifestyle choice. That choice was easy.

Now for the harder choices. The choices that whittle down or perhaps cut deep into items that I have. Obvious my wardrobe is a challenge. My oxblood leather shoes that feel more like slippers on my feet. Several of my shirts that just make me look and feel like a million bucks. This will take some doing. Fortunately, much of my wardrobe is not suited for life on the road. This is also fortunate for REI who has played a big part in outfitting me for our future lifestyle.

A surprisingly tough choice was deciding which mugs to take with me. I figure that two mugs is plenty. Dishes should be washed after every meal, so I could get by with just one. But what if I misplaced my lone mug or I dropped it and it shattered. I need a backup. Bottom line: I must choose only two. Possessions, especially in a large house, tend to accumulate. The mug shelf in our kitchen had no other option but to fill up. Photographic evidence above. Most of these have some sentimental value.

- The one with the orangutan that we got on our trip to Borneo when Jane and I got engaged.

- The Father’s Day gift from my middle son, Justin, calling me his hero - gentle and brave.

- The classic Navy mug commemorating my time as the Engineer Officer on the USS Topeka.

- The mug with the logo of the podcast I hosted for the better part of 2017 - The R and D Show

 Like all moral dilemmas, this is not a choice between right and wrong but a choice between many rights. I had to sacrifice several cherished possessions to enable our dreams of living on the road. Painful as it was, I decided on the final two mugs. The deciding factor reflects part of my outlook on life and family. I feel it is a detriment to be too focused on your family. Love them, cherish them, develop a fulfilling life together. Making them the center of your world does not help them, or you. You must have your own life as well. There must be a balance.

So, one of the mugs is for me. It is the Viking mug pictured below. Jane and I bought it at dinner while celebrating New Years Eve 2016 with my parents. We were at Krokstrom Restaurant in Kansas City. Krokstrom is a Scandinavian restaurant and we had a wonderful dinner. To commemorate the evening, I bought the Viking mug (along with a very cool bottle of a port-type concoction called “Viking’s Blod” that Jane and I enjoyed over the following few weeks.) The mug represents my individual spirit. An independent and adventurous force that will take me all over this great globe.

The other mug is for my family. Shown below, it is photo mug of my three sons when they were young tykes. I even make an appearance in a grade school photo rocking the lapels and vest. I love this mug. I reminds me of each of them, how I loved them as youngsters (one still is), and how proud I am of how they have grown into amazing people (yes, even Wolf). The mug warms my heart. I find myself looking at the pictures as I use it, lost in some fond memory. The only thing missing from the mug is Jane. Except through Wolf of course. I have Jane covered, though. I will be spending my mornings next to her, sipping tea, with the world as our front yard.

Decision made. On to the next crisis!