Do You Have One Mug You Favor Over All Others?

Above, my custom coffee mug I use at home. 

Are humans creatures of habit? 

This comes to mind after reading and participating in a new poll at RV Travel on coffee mugs. They ask if you have one mug you favor over others. 

At home, I usually use a custom-made mug featuring my book, The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan or one from Folgers Coffee. Both fit my hand perfectly and are of the right size.

Above, with one of the John Wayne coffee mugs in my RV.

While in my motorhome, I use two (not at the same time) mugs I bought from the John Wayne Stock & Supply. 

RV Travel begins their poll with:

If you’re a coffee or tea drinker, chances are you own more than one mug. Maybe you have an entire cabinet full of them—souvenirs from road trips, funny gifts from friends, campground treasures, or that one oversized mug that somehow holds juuuuust the right amount of coffee.

So, even with all those choices, do you always reach for the same one? You know the mug. It’s the one that just feels right in your hand. Maybe it’s chipped, maybe the handle fits your fingers perfectly, or maybe the coffee simply tastes better out of it. (Science has yet to confirm this, but plenty of us believe it.)

And, in most households, certain mugs seem to develop “ownership” without anyone officially claiming them. Everyone knows whose mug is whose. Use the wrong one, and you’ll probably hear about it. It’s funny how attached we can become to something as simple as a coffee mug, right?

So what about you? Are you loyal to one favorite mug, or do you happily grab whatever’s clean?

Vote in the poll below, and then tell us the story behind your favorite mug in the comments. We have a feeling there are some great ones out there.

To read more and participate in the poll, go here. 

Yesterday In Gallup

Above, yesterday at Gallup Coffee. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday afternoon was spent in Gallup.

I drove friend Larry Lucier to his doctor appointment in his bus. After dropping him off at the clinic, I headed into downtown Gallup to go to the Gallup Coffee shop. 

While there, I enjoyed a hot mocha latte and a blueberry muffin. Both were good. 

I recently read an article on wild blueberries on their health benefits. I've always known that they contain great cancer fighting antioxidants, but there are other health benefits as well. Plus, I just happen to like them.

According to an article in the Penobscot Bay Pilot:

ORONO — Wild blueberries, the iconic Maine crop dotting hillsides, decorating sweatshirts and adding personality to local menus, are more than a cultural symbol. Over 20 years of preclinical and clinical studies suggest that regularly consuming wild blueberries supports gut and heart health and may reduce risk factors associated with chronic disease.

Dorothy Klimis-Zacas, professor of clinical nutrition at the University of Maine, recommends one half to one cup per day. She eats them alongside her morning oats or blends them into smoothies.

She has spent her multi-decade career researching the health benefits of wild blueberries in relation to cardiometabolic health. Her work is featured in a comprehensive review from a Cardiometabolic Health Symposium of experts hosted by the Wild Blueberry Association of North America in Bar Harbor in 2025. Twelve experts — including Klimis-Zacas — participated, their work spanning the fields of nutrition, food science, dietetics, nutrition metabolism and physiology, cardiovascular and cognitive function, gut health and microbiology.

Blueberries contain polyphenols, which are bioactive compounds found in many berries, that have particularly powerful effects on vascular health. When compared to conventional blueberries, wild blueberries have twice the antioxidant content, 72% more fiber and 33% more anthocyanins — flavonoids related to the widespread health benefits of the berries, such as improved cardiometabolic health.

Research led by Klimis-Zacas was the first to show that wild blueberries reduce inflammation and vascular dysfunction by targeting the endothelium, the thin layer of cells lining blood vessels that regulates their contraction and relaxation. In preclinical studies, her team found that animals with hypertension and obesity showed reduced inflammation and improved vascular health after consuming wild blueberries for six weeks.

Further analysis revealed that a wild blueberry diet alters vascular structure via glycoproteins — key molecules involved in endothelial signaling processes. These structural changes not only improved endothelial function, but also made the endothelium more resilient to high blood lipids and high blood pressure changes.

“If your endothelium becomes dysfunctional, then everything starts going downhill,” Klimis-Zacas said.

Her lab has also investigated how wild blueberries influence local and systemic inflammation in metabolic syndrome, as well as glucose, lipid metabolism and gut health, to have a greater understanding of blueberries’ potential role in supporting overall metabolic function.

After Larry was done at the doctor's office, we headed to Jerry's Cafe for dinner.

To read more, go here. 

How To Make Cowboy/Campfire Coffee

Clamp-out season is almost upon the chapters and members of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus.

This means The Bretheren will be out dry camping. An important ingredient for camping, is having coffee. Some of us have RVs with stoves and percolators. But there are others who will be "roughing it" while camping in tents and cooking over campfires or Coleman stoves.

The video below tells how to make Cowboy/Campfire coffee by Horse Pen Ranch.

Summary: 

We will show you how to make cowboy or campfire coffee from start to finish. We will even share some helpful tips along the way!

1. Fill coffee pot with water to just below the spout

2. Heat water, add coffee (about a 1/4 cup of coffee to every quart of water)

3. Once it boils let it boil for about 4 min

4. Remove from heat and add about a cup of cold water to the pot and enjoy!

Confessions of A Coffee Addict

Above, a morning "cup of Joe" at a clampout. 

Coffee. 

Whether I am at home or on the road somewhere, I have to have my morning "Cup of Joe" to get my day started. This includes traveling by RV.

I have two means of making coffee in the RV. When the motorhome is plugged into electricity at an RV park, I use my 5-cup coffee-maker. If I am dry camping, I use my percolator on the stove.

RV Travel has posted an article by Chuck Woodbury with his confession as being a coffee addict.

It begins with:

I have one significant addiction. It’s coffee. So far, in all the scientific articles I have ever read, nobody has said, flat out, that drinking a lot of coffee is bad. Or nobody has convinced me of it. So why stop, is what I say.

I am so ridiculously addicted to it that I can now drink two or three cups and still fall quickly asleep. Go figure.

But the point of this article: I like my coffee with milk. I like cream, but my cardiologist doesn’t agree. I do not like my coffee black. Tried it: Nope, no can do.

To read more, go here. 

RV Poll: What Kind of Coffee Maker Do You Use?

Above, the Stanley percolator I use when dry camping. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

No matter where I am at, I must have a "cup of joe" in the morning. This includes while camping in my RV.

When I am at a campground with full hook-ups, I use a drip coffee maker. If I am dry camping (no hook-ups), I use a percolator. 

RV Travel has posted a poll asking RVers what coffee makers do they use. 

They begin with:

For coffee drinkers, we know that coffee is much more than just a morning routine. The magic stuff gets you through your day (us, too). But when you’re living on the road, the type of coffee maker you use can be as personal as your choice of campsite.

Some RVers swear by the simplicity of a drip coffee maker. Easy to use and capable of brewing multiple cups at once, it’s a reliable option for those with hookups or a generator. Others lean toward single-serve machines, like a Keurig, for their convenience and minimal cleanup. When counter space is limited, the compact design of these machines is a lifesaver.

For boondockers and off-grid explorers, a French press or pour-over system is often the go-to. These manual methods require no electricity, just hot water, maybe brought to a boil over a camp stove outside, and deliver a rich, flavorful brew. A Moka pot is another favorite, especially among espresso lovers craving that strong, bold kick without the need for a full-blown espresso machine.

Similarly, for those who like a touch of tradition, a percolator bubbling away on a campfire can turn coffee-making into an experience.

To see the results or participate in the poll, go here. 

Rare Gathering At Grandpa's Grill

Yesterday's breakfast gathering of the gang from Jamestown was a rare occurrence. We had all 6 from Jamestown attend plus Bob Weeks from Gallup at Grandpa's Grill. For one reason or another, we don't often get everyone present.

It was such a rare event that we had the waitress take a group photo.

Above, starting at the back row from left going clockwise are Bob Weeks (waving),
 yours truly, Roger Slape, Greg Lucier, Larry Lucier, Russell Azbill and Victor Gomez.

 

Godzilla Finally Arrived

Well, not Godzilla himself, but rather a 70th anniversary commemorative coffee mug.

I had ordered it on June 1 and it finally arrived today. I think the sender was somewhere in Asia.

Although I have many coffee mugs, I figured that it wouldn't hurt to add this one.

Here it is:

Today's Coffee

Above, the roads are too icy for the Mustang and it's too cold out for the Jeep. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today's coffee/breakfast with the gang down at Denny's will be going on as scheduled.

I took a look outside and the roads in the community are still icy. The Mustang would not be a good choice to be driving on them at it is rear-wheel drive.

Also, it is about 19° outside. That is too cold to be driving the Jeep, even though it could handle the roads in 4WD.

So, I will be hitching a ride with Greg Lucier this morning. His Subaru is all-wheel-drive, a much better choice.

Day In Gallup

Above, at the Gallup Coffee Company in downtown Gallup. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Most of yesterday was spent in Gallup.

First, I dropped off Larry Lucier at his physical therapist's for his hour and a half workout.

From there, I headed over to Albertsons' market to pick up a few groceries. After that, I headed over into the historical downtown district of Gallup to the Gallup Coffee Company shop for an espresso. Gallup Coffee Company is like Starbucks, only better. It is a few doors from the historic El Morro Theater.

Above, at the Gallup Coffee Company.

While there I ran into one of our supper group members as I was sitting at a sidewalk table. We caught up on things and cigars.

After hanging out at the Gallup Coffee Company, I went to pick up Larry and we headed over to the Cracker Barrel restaurant to celebrate his brother Greg's birthday.

It was a nice day out (around 80° outside).

New Camp Mugs

Recently, I purchased a couple of camp mugs from the John Wayne Stock & Supply.

I am in the process of replacing drinkware and dishware in the motorhome. The plastic ones are starting to get worn. 

The John Wayne Stock & Supply has these camp mugs for $18 each. I decided to buy a couple of them.

By the way, the saying, “Feo Fuerte y Formal”, translates to “Ugly, Strong, and Dignified”.

I was going to put these mugs into the motorhome today, but it rained hard yesterday and overnight, leaving the ground around the RV garage soggy. So I'll wait for it to dry a bit.

To access John Wayne Stock & Supply, go here.

Found Chase & Sanborn Coffee After 20 Years

Above, finally, after 20 years I'll be having my favorite brand of coffee. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For 20 weeks in 2003-2004, there was a supermarket strike in Southern California against four supermarket chains by the  United Food and Commercial Workers union. One of the affected chains was Ralphs Markets (Kroger), were my mom and I shopped.

During the strike, some products were not available. One of them was Chase & Sanborn coffee, my favorite coffee brand.

When the strike ended, some products returned but Chase & Sanborn coffee didn't. It wasn't available anywhere. I had to switch to Maxwell House coffee. It was pretty close to Chase & Sanborn in flavor. I haven't seen it any Chase & Sanborn since.

The other day, I thought about it and did some searching to see what happened to it. Well, I never did find the answer, but I did find that it was still available and found some at Amazon, of all places. So I ordered a 30.5 ounce can and it arrived yesterday and I picked it up from the post office this morning.

As soon as my current batch of Maxwell House is gone, I'll be making myself some Chase & Sanborn coffee. I hope it is still as good as it was 20 years ago.

Coffee Ad Pays Tribute To Haruo Nakajima

Above, Haruo Nakajima at G-FEST in 2008. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This is a Japanese advertisement for Boss Coffee, a major coffee brand (part of Suntory) in Japan. This ad is three years old, but it is only now that I've seen it (thanks to Stan Hyde).  

Although a coffee ad, it pays tribute to Haruo Nakajima and what he endured while playing the King of the Monsters.

Here's the ad:

Oops! No Coffee!

Above, the group at Grandpa's Grill last November.

Last night, I went to Denny's at the Flying J for dinner.

I ordered the salmon dinner and coffee. Then I was told that the manager of the restaurant "forgot" to order coffee and they only had decaf available. They won't get any coffee in until Friday, unless a sister Denny's in Gallup gives them some.

Since our group in Jamestown goes to Denny's on Tuesdays for coffee and breakfast, an alternate plan was made. We're heading to Grandpa's Grill in Gallup today. 

This plan doesn't upset any of the group as most feel Grandpa's Grill has better food at more reasonable prices. 

So we're all going to hop into Larry's "magic bus" and head into Gallup.

Yup, somebody f*cked up!

People Should Drink Less Coffee To Combat Climate Change

With each passing minute (not just each passing day), the world is getting more wacko.

The latest is that a Canadian "study" has found that people should drink less coffee to combat climate change.

From the New York Post:

Canadian researchers analyzed coffee’s “contribution to climate change” in a piece published in early January and suggested people moderate their consumption of the popular drink as a part of the solution.

Researchers Luciano Rodrigues Viana, Charles Marty, Jean-François Boucher and Pierre-Luc Dessureault wrote in an analysis published in The Conversation that pollution from preparing coffee was “just the tip of the iceberg.”

“Limiting your contribution to climate change requires an adapted diet, and coffee is no exception. Choosing a mode of coffee preparation that emits less GHGs (greenhouse gases) and moderating your consumption are part of the solution,” the researchers at the University of Quebec at Chicoutimi wrote. 

The study also found that using coffee pods to brew coffee contributed less to the carbon footprint than brewing coffee with a traditional filter. 

To read more, pour yourself a cup and go here. 

Today's Change of Venue

Above, the gang at Grandpa's Grill in Gallup this morning.

Today started out interestingly.

After getting most of the gang (one decided to drive himself) into Larry Lucier's bus to head down to the Flying J, we arrived at Denny's only to find a couple of McKinley County Fire Department vehicles in front of Denny's.

One of the workers of Denny's told us that they will be closed for a "short time" due to a small kitchen fire. The workers put it out before the fire department arrived.

So, we decided to head into Gallup to have our coffee/breakfast gathering at Grandpa's Grill.

It actually worked out better for us. We got better food at a lower price.

Later, after dropping off everyone, I headed down to the post office at the Flying J and found that Denny's was still closed (that was around 1:00 this afternoon). It was a good thing we didn't wait around. 

Today's Coffee/Breakfast Group

This morning, our coffee/breakfast group gathered at Denny's at the Flying J for our usual Saturday coffee and breakfast.

Joining us today was Nandoh Munoz. There was one of our group missing, Roger Slape, who was in Heber, Utah.

I had our waitress photograph the group.

Above, (left to right) Nandoh Munoz, yours truly, Larry Lucier, Greg Lucier, Russell Azbill and Victor Gomez.

 

The Best RV Coffee Maker

Above, my Stanley camping percolator. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

RV Life has posted an article about RV coffee makers. The writer doesn't seem to like them for various reasons. 

Frankly, I think he's overexaggerating.

When I am camping at a campground or RV park, I use my Black & Decker 5-cup coffee maker. When I am dry camping (i.e., no hook-ups) I use my Stanley percolator. 

I do agree with the writer on one thing: clean-up. The coffee maker isn't so bad, but I find cleaning the percolator to be a pain-in-the-butt in dealing with coffee grounds that have escaped the basket.

There are some places, like the Route 66 RV Resort near Albuquerque, that have free morning coffee in the recreation room so I don't have to deal with either. For me, that would qualify as the "best" RV coffee maker.

That said, here's how the article starts:

I hate my RV coffee maker. Mind you, I love what comes out of it. In fact 66% of Americans agree…we love coffee. We love the way it smells, the way it tastes, and the way it clears a foggy head in the morning. Come evening time, we love the way it brings us together for conversation, or takes that over-sweet edge off your favorite slice of cheesecake. But that RV coffee maker…ugh!

To read more, go here.

Mr. Spock Coffee Mug

Above, Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock. 

The other day, I had to pick up a few things over at Walmart.

While walking through the kitchenware section, I spotted a coffee mug. It was of the late Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock in Star Trek. 

On one side, it had an image of Nimoy (a good one) giving the Vulcan hand sign and on the other, Spock's Vulcan salute, "Live Long and Prosper".

Above, the Vulcan salute.

Since the mug was under $5.00, I decided to get it, even though I have a cupboard full of coffee mugs.

It also reminded me of the time I saw Nimoy perform at the Shubert Theater in Century City's ABC Entertainment Center as Sherlock Holmes and Alan Sues as Prof. Moriarty back in the 1970s. The ABC Entertainment Center (along with the Shubert Theater and the Playboy Club) was demolished in 2004. 

John Wayne Cast & Crew Mugs

Above, actor Jim Davis with his John Wayne coffee mugs. From the Jim Davis Memorial Page.

Here's some movie trivia.

For those who worked with John Wayne on his movies (cast and crew), when production ended, they were given custom-made coffee mugs as a thank-you memento for their work from Duke.

According to the John Wayne Cast & Crew Mugs Database:

Welcome to the John Wayne Mugs website. Many of Duke’s fans are not aware of his fondness for custom made coffee mugs. Beginning with Flying Leathernecks 1951 and through The Shootist 1976,  John Wayne had custom mugs made which he gave to the cast and crew of each movie. These beautiful heavy mugs featured an image on the front commemorating the movie and was personalized on the back to it’s recipient from Duke. Through the years, they were produced by several companies. The earliest mugs were actually hand painted by Bob Williams an artist renown for the designs he created. While each movie’s mug is unique, just about all of them feature a distinguishing genuine gold painted handle. For those fortunate enough to be given one, as you can imagine, they are treasured as the works of art they are and especially because they came from Duke. They have become extremely valuable to collectors as there were so few made and they mean so much to those they were given to. Years back, Red Adair’s (Hell fighters) granddaughter, at her late grandfather’s auction, was asked if Red’s mug would be available. She replied “No, not at any price”.                 

Cloudy Day

Above, after-dinner coffee.

Today was spent mostly indoors except for a grocery trip to Thoreau and a trip to the Flying J.

During dinner, I watched for the first time in a long time National Lampoon's Vacation (1983). One scene was very familiar. It was shot in Monument Valley with the Three Sisters formation in the background. I had forgotten that Monument Valley was used.

Above, the Three Sisters in Monument Valley. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It has been cloudy all day with winds. It really didn't get past 65° all day.

Tomorrow might bring us thundershowers, but that's only a 20% chance.

According to the National Weather Service:

 Tonight

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tuesday

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the evening.

Wednesday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. West wind 5 to 15 mph.