Back in the Saddle

Hi Everyone,

Sorry about the long layoff. I have been dealing with a few health issues, including laziness, but they seem to be resolving themselves. The bigger issue is that I come from a generation long, long ago when writers were actually paid for their work -- not well usually but at least they got something. This blogging for "fun" is an adjustment for me. Still, I'm ready to press on, at least until I get sued.

A few developments, thoughts and travel notes:

--On doctor's orders I've been losing weight, about 30 pounds since June 1. I've got at least that much more to go. Then comes the real battle: keeping it off. I will be chronicling  my weight loss adventure in a new magazine published by Upstate Medical University. The mag is scheduled to debut at the Great New York State Fair, which opens Aug. 25. Be sure to grab a copy, and say hi if you see me. I'll be the guy face down in a bucket of corn dogs.

--I took a meal or two off my strict regimen during a trip to Kansas City last week. No regrets there. Kansas City is a serious barbecue town. Some friends and I visited the reigning king, Oklahoma Joe's,  which is technically just over the city line at a gas station in Kansas City, Kansas. My friends and I didn't do a lot of talking during our meal, which should tell you something right there, but all had basically the same opinion: As barbecue goes there is nothing particularly distinctive or even interesting to say about it, except it's perfect. We could discern no magic ingredients. There were no unusual signature dishes. What you get is a sublime, unobtrusive balance between smoke and heat, sweet and spice, and top quality meat. It's like eating a version of Beethoven's 5th Symphony. We've all heard it before, but this time it's being played by an orchestra made up entirely of angels.  Go there.

--I'm also giving big props to the small-yet-still complete Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City's Jazz District. You leave feeling weirdly appalled and uplifted at the same time. Appalled that for almost 100 years following the Civil War, White America treated some of nation's best athletes as if they did not exist, or worse. Uplifted that these players still found a constructive outlet for their talents. Go there, too.


--Free T-shirt op: Also while in K.C. we hit a steakhouse in Martin City, Missouri, Jess and Jim's. It was once a favorite of Dale Earnhardt and Walter Cronkite. I had the bright idea of picking up a T-shirt for my eight-year-old, Lily, a committed young carnivore. I picked neon green. There was a cute logo of a steer emblazoned on the front, and the name of the joint. It cost me $11. What I didn't see until I got home and started to give the shirt to Lily was the large-lettered slogan on the back: "You Can't Beat Our Meat." Even this Dad realizes that's not appropriate attire for a child. Lily's loss could be your gain. The size small shirt is free to the first person to request it. Just email me at jeffmkramer@gmail.com. No one under 18, please.