Clutter Bin Series: The “writer” Mug

“Writer” Coffee mug

Current status: In use 

I am not a writer. Never have been, never will. Anything I write is riddled with errors, mistakes and the occasional confused “there” or was it “their” . In my entire school education I can count on one hand the times I received an “A” on anything longer than a page…Two of which were written in elementary school. My I was more interested in tools than pencils. How on earth did I end up with the mug you say … .well it was originally owned by my late grandfather, he was the writer, the trumpet player and philosopher. After he died we were assigned the duty of cleaning out his house to get it ready for sale. The saddest thing was chucking away inanimate objects that had a place in his life and now only lost memories. This included photos, furniture, electronics etc. They all participated in the life of Roland Chirico but in our eyes, they were trash, clutter and junk that got in the way of a quick sale of the house.  Lifetime of stuff chucked for a one time cash out. I don’t blame my family or myself for the destruction of all of his possessions. After all, the clutter of generations past would slow down the present. With all that in mind I saw this mug on top of the trash above the mismatch Tupperware and appliances too dirty for a new home. I thought of the irony it would be for the  Non-writer in the family to drink from the cup of writers. So I tossed it into the back of the truck. Figuring if it survives the ride home I’ll have myself a haunted cup of coffee. Perhaps, I thought his spirit will take the bitterness out of the dark roast. Despite my careless stowing of the mug, it survived. Every week or so I drink from it wondering if past cups drunk by my late grandfather inspired him to write or at least help him put up with his illiterate grandchild trying to dismantle his desk toys.

I was never certain what my grandpa thought of me. I sort of assumed that I was a disappointment never picking up any sort of musical instrument or really even a book that isn’t riddled with diagrams of engines or atoms…. I sort of never cared because at an early age I decided I was a terrible writer and even worse musician. Anyways, its funny how opposites can be related sort of like ying ang yang or the the contrast between coffee and creamer.

This is inspiration for the clutter series, just a record of the stuff I have, where I got it, what stories may be attached at least before I decide its junk. I have never really been strongly attached to “things” so even the stuff I write about is still subject to destruction, donation and sale. I think of the clutter series as an excuse to write a story before what I own is chucked in to a dumpster by my grandchild. Anyways the Wedding part 2 is coming I only just now received the photos .

“Anyone can be a writer , just drink from this mug” Vincent Chirico 2023

My late Grandpa