Well, I have to tell you I’m a heck of a lot more familiar with logs (as in bbq) than I am blogs (as in computers). That being said here goes my first attempt at blogging — almost as exciting as my first solo flight — but that’s a subject for later.
The grill you see here belonged to a truly great man — my dad. As with most of what he had, he built it in his shop and it looked and worked great for a long long time. Dad never had more than an eighth grade education and yet worked his way up to IT manager for Royal Crown Cola. He began his life somewhere up North around Ohio and moved to Columbus with Remington Rand and later accepted a job with RC. He always told the story of coming down South and going to his first fish camp — never had hush puppies before. He said the fish was pretty good but those were the worst chicken croquettes he’d ever had.
A boy’s father teaches him many things and that was certainly the case with mine. He certainly taught me that hard work was natural. Dad wouldn’t even invest in the stock market because he thought it wasn’t real work. He taught me to respect and take care of tools and equipment — if I stripped out the nut on a bolt I could expect a dressing down. He gave me a great appreciation of music. Dad played in big bands and was accomplished on the sax, clarinet and organ. He instilled a love of boating which I enjoy to this day keeping a sailboat in Florida.
He taught me many many things and YES barbecue was one of them. Even being a Yankee he loved and learned Southern barbecue — course he had to since my Mom was from the South. Lord knows how many backyard barbecues we had in the 50’s. He also built a brick barbecue pit in the backyard and sometimes fired up several grills to feed the crowd. His ribs were a little unusual in that he slow cooked them for 8 or more hours. They were good but cooked so long there wasn’t a whole lot of meat and you could actually crunch the bone in your mouth. He was also a great steak chef — man those grass fed, naturally aged steaks were incredible.
So what’s the point of all this? Nothing really except it’s just beginnings — the beginning of my lessons that certainly steered me toward my life’s course — and the beginning of this blog. Hopefully I can come up with some interesting stuff like recipes, thoughts on our food supply, stories about restuarants and the folks that make them hum, current happenings around Country’s Barbecue and just life.
e vivi la vita
Jim
Great blog Jim!! I think you may almost be as good at blogging as you are at cooking! We absolutely LOVE Country’s BBQ. Thank you for the wonderful food through the years. I look forward to many more delicious meals and entertaining blogs from you. Keep it up!
I certainly know you have done them proud Jim! Countrys is without a doubt our families choice of a great restaurant where we never get tired of revisiting. From the food to the employess and best of all the customer satisfaction there is none better. We look forward what the future brings for you and your family. Many blessings and Merry Christmas!
What a great way to share the stories we have heard many times about your Dad and growing up, and what makes you who you are. ILU
Hey Jim and the rest of the Countryside crew. Loved the blog. You should write a book.I can’t wait to hear the “rest of the story”.
i look forward to hearing more. what a fabulous story teller you are.
thank you for sharing! merry christmas.
Well we could not be any more please that you have started a blog. Now the rest of the community can find out what a bunch of great guys you are.
When the blog reaches creating Backfire Sauce. If I remember correct, there were three people in the kitchen. Jim, Dot’s son and me. At least I think it was Dot’s son. There should be a million blogs on Dot. She was the greatest.
Off to a great start, Jim!! New beginnings are so exciting. Good for you (& very much like you!) for taking on this new endeavor. It will be fun to follow. And who knows? Could surely lead into a book…! You probably already have a rough draft of one started. I never knew your dad was a yankee!
So go on….what’s next? 🙂
Wow great to see Dad’s grill again. I remimber many a fine meal cooked on that grill shared with family and friends. I am glad you saved the seed that helped you start Country’s . Thomas
A think a Blog is a great idea! Keep up the good work! I miss my Country’s BBQ Family!!!!