This is not just any old stainless steel coffee mug.

It is unique, and it has a history.

My wife, Lois, and I had a paint horse ranch for a number of years.  It was really my wife’s passion.  My involvement was mainly menial labor.  I was active duty military at the time.

Through sheer talent, will, and determination, Lois went from a total unknown at ground zero to a force to be reckoned with in the paint horse industry in a very few years.  What she accomplished in a very short time is remarkable, and I am incredibly proud of her.

Just as the business was really starting to take off, Lois was struck by multiple debilitating illnesses.  In a period of about 18 months she was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, fibromyalgia, and type I diabetes.

We hired some help and two of our kids, Jeannie and Dustin, worked their asses off to keep the ranch going.  As Lois’ health deteriorated, I tried to convince her to give up the ranch, but she refused.

In 2003 I was alerted for deployment to OIF.

Lois still refused to give up the ranch, but after I left things quickly fell apart.  By the time I flew home for R&R over Thanksgiving 2004 Lois had sold off all the horses for cheap and let the property go on a short sale.  I was just in time to help move the big stuff into a rented duplex.  With some help from the kids she had everything else moved into storage after I returned to the Gulf to finish my tour.

The focus of the business was our breeding program.  Most of what we did focused on promoting our stallion, Just Obviously Cool.  He, of course, was sold with the rest of the horses when Lois liquidated the ranch.  My understanding is he died a year or so ago, but if you do a search on his name you’ll find a lot of pictures of his get.

This brings me (finally) to the stainless steel coffee mug.

For three or four years Lois had some promotional items made for clients who bred their mares to Just Obviously Cool.  The last year she had some stainless steel coffee mugs imprinted with a picture of the stallion, his name, and the ranch name (Cedar Creek Ranch).  I don’t remember exactly how many she had made.  I’m certain it was no more than 30.

When I returned home from deployment, there were two of the coffee mugs remaining.  Our oldest son took one to work with him one day, and it never returned.  The one remaining stainless steel coffee mug is what I’m offering for trade.

It’s not new.  I used it occasionally when I was still commuting.  But the imprint is still clearly visible on the mug.

It’s about 6-1/2″ tall and 3-1/2″ in diameter, holds about 16 oz, and still has the lid.

If you have something you would like to trade, please post a comment with a detailed description of your trade item, and I will contact you.

The winning trade will be documented here, with your name, a picture of you if you wish, and a link to your website or blog if you have one.