I have a couple of possessions that have been part of my everyday routine for a decade or more. They are not necessarily valuable or one-of-a-kind, or even very unusual.
One of them was a Capricorn mug I got in Thailand when I was living there in the late-1990s. Almost every day since then, I have had at least one cup of tea from this mug.
Although the gold leaf that used to decorate it has almost gone, it seemed to be going strong. But a few days ago, it broke when it fell into the sink. Just broke, just like that.
Now I have to throw it away, and I will. But I will miss it.
Knowing it couldn’t last too much longer, I recently searched for another on the internet, but there is not one to be found, it would seem, although these mugs were available in a shop at a particularly popular shopping centre in central Bangkok for six years or more.
A couple of years ago, I even emailed the factory that makes Royal Bone China in Thailand, hoping they might have some remainders. They replied very cordially, but no luck: the cups had all been sold years before.
So now all I have is these pictures. If ever you see one, let me know, won’t you?
The Crayon Files 
Oh, I know what you mean, Caron. It’s always those kinds of loved things that seem to break/disappear, etc. isn’t it? Sorry to hear your mug is gone. I hope you find another from that series; it’s lovely!
Why throw it away? You could glue the piece back in and use the cup as a flower pot, so you’d still have it around you in a beautiful way!
I love repurposing old cups, milk cans, and whatever by putting a little soil and green plants like ivy, sempervivum, or fern in them. When my husband broke the front glass of one of the small table lanterns from our wedding decorations I planted sempervivum in the candle holding part of it, and it looks pretty cool.
This is part of the green stuff in our kitchen: https://starfishskies.wordpress.com/2015/01/12/green-kitchen-update/
Hey, that’s a really great idea, thank you. I have all the pieces. Will keep you posted!
i’ve had similar things happen. It’s inevitable, I suppose, but upsetting just the same. A part of your life is entwined in that mug. Hope you find another one (or two, just to be safe.)
Thanks, Fransi. My sister-in-law actually found a seller on ebay who had sold what sounded like the same one a while ago, so perhaps I will even find another.
Not quite the same, though.
No it’s not the same. maybe it’s time to find a new mug, a different one, that becomes a part of adventures yet to happen. New memories.
I think you’re right! Actually, my husband gave me two new mugs for Christmas, depicting “the owl and the pussycat”. Perhaps they’ll be it.
There you go …
It’s like losing an old friend, isn’t it?
Yes, exactly!
Awww. I’m sorry for your loss. 😦
Thanks! I really think I will reinvent this cup as a planter, as Starfish so cleverly suggested.
Excellent idea.
Will do Caron. I often visit Opportunity shops