Johnny Shred.......

So, this is not KOG related, but I have had to many people say I need to post this here....

All the best KOGNation:

So, I have a confession to make.....
The last time I wrote a note (Quarter mile of hell), was the day I conquered Ogle Tree Gap Hill (aka the quarter mile of hell) I was so fired up after writing that, and there was plenty of day light, I just went and did it. And I DID IT!
Funny thing is, I had just gotten my bike back from getting a tune up, and my brakes seemed a lil tight, well, they for sure as heck were....they were not totally engaged, but slightly engaged the whole time I did the hill. When I got home and got under some real lighting, I spun the tire, and sure enough, there were kinda rubbing. It makes the journey all that much sweeter!

A few things that happened ......
As I got to the base of the hill, I called my old and best friend J.Brown and he prayed for me. I actually faced the sun, got on my knees and listened to the words he lifted up to God. It helped I know, and inspired me all the more.
As I get older and hopefully wiser, that hill signifies for me a milestone of life. It wasn't just the hill that I physically conquered, but as I allowed my legs to piston me up that hill, I left a lot of "stuff" there too. I did not realize it either, but the folks that live at the top of that hill have a "shrine to Jesus" up there and it is the first thing you see as you finish it.....what a great way to remind us that He is there with us during all of the hard times in our lives.

I left a lot of things there too...... I left the fat guy there, I left many hurts there, I left my theatre angst there, I left many fears there, I simply kept pumping up that hill, and it was if it got easier and easier, not physically, but without a doubt emotionally. It all just continued to fall off of me!

I spun around a few bends and saw a couple walking towards the hill (their turn around point) and I told them, I made it up the hill. They were shocked and told me they were proud. I know I was beaming, and all of a sudden it hit me. I really wanna go and watch a movie. So, on Saturday night, I let all of my cares go to the way side and I darkened the doors of the Cove Theatre. I said I would never do that again, but you know what...Time heals wounds, and it's a 3 dollar ticket. I even got the VIP seat in which one gets to sit in a lazy boy, eat all of the popcorn and drink all of the root beer and they come to you during the movie very subtle like and bring you your refills whether you need it or not. (yeah, that was my idea, so you knew it was awesome!) Anyway, I am past it, and that is a huge signal to me that I am no longer holding onto it. It was a little awkward to see the owner, but it all turned out to be great and I had a great experience. And, I owe so much of it to that damned quarter mile of hell. I really owe it all to JC who keeps me and does not forsake me, but He gives us milestones to allow us to "mark" our lives with I believe, and the hill is and always will be one for me.

I can't thank all of you enough for the emails, the support, the encouragement and so many of you for simply being there. YOU have filled my cup beyond capacity, and I can't thank you enough.


This is Johnny "Shred" Ward signing off and reminding you....Don't let the heat control the meat!

KOGNations "Day of the Word" for Thursday, April 30, 2009

Rise and Shine KOGNation!
Today is a day full of great energy and positive mojo! Embrace it and spread it around! Don't smile because you wanna make someone wonder what you are up to, although, that can be fun, smile because you can't even help it as the greatness of today exudes out of you! It's a choice, and you can do it!

The KOGNation "Day of the Word" for Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Good Morning KOGNation! It's ALLLLLLLLL Good! Make the most out of what you got goin' on today, and it'll turn out roses!

YAHOO NEWS (read it)

KOGNation is in the news!

Here is the article (if the link does not work copy and paste it to your browser and then, click on the links inside the article.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb17 46394.htm

Great article for KOGNation!

Remember....Don't let the heat control the meat!

KROGER #3 update!

So today, I visited with the 3rd KROGER store I am allowed to solicit to sell the KOGGear in!
It went well because he did not say no, it went bad cuz he did not say yes, and I am not going to hear anything until at least Friday. This is not good as it can take up to 10 days to get in an order like this and it will not give many Christmas shoppers enough time to make a purchase there prior to Christmas. Not that it really matters cuz the first day it is in there, all of it will sell out, but, just in case it does not, it poses a problem as it is biting into the time crunch!

Anyway, all in all, it is all good, and it is all going to happen the way it should.

KOGNation signing off and reminding you....Don't let the heat control the meat!

You've been KOG'd!!! (12/06/2008)

So, the newest citizen of KOGNation is Hillary.

She was shy and did not let me put the video I wanted to put up here, so she agreed to this 6 second clip.

Just think...when you join the KOGNation you may get a visit from the Founder (ME) and I will come to your home and make for you an amazing meal on your own grill (if you don't have a grill, just as a back up I always bring my little webber...((Webber, do you want to sponsor me?))

When I got to Hillary's home she was surprised for sure, and was kind enough to let me onto her patio and make a horseradish and vodka infused steak with grilled mushrooms and a nice spinach salad.

Join the KOGNation at www.keepersofthegrill.com and you never know if I may just show up at your home and KOG you!

This is the KOGNation signing off and reminding you.... Don't let the heat control the meat!

State of the KOG....

Howdy KOGNation!

The Kroger deal is simply a phone call away! (I am not sure if it will be 1 store or 3 stores initially) but the fact of the matter is, it is just a phone call away, and my distributor said it could be turned around in 10 days or less.

My challenge to you, when the deal is done, is to call all the Kroger stores in your area and DEMAND that they get KOGNation gear in there!

KOGDog....Max is actually on his bed with a portion of the blanket wrapped over him. He is settling in well!

KOGMercials! Check out the latest in Commercials (KOGMercials) for the KOGNation. They are both posted on facebook, but here are both of the links from UTube.

http://de.youtube.com/watch?v=A2f7Jcf2JTg
and KOGMercial number 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=munFudm2DvU

28 Person Challenge:
I was looking at the numbers and in the last 5 weeks we have doubled in numbers, and now with the additional numbers, we simply need 28 more members to double again!
www.keepersofthegrill.com is the place to become a citizen of KOGNation!

The KOGNation has spoken....opposed to membership to KOGNation and since we are a "NATION" of grillers and those that love to eat grilled food etc....We are not Citizens of KOGNation.

As additional fundage is available for it, I am going to revamp the website and offer different levels of citizenships and each Citizenship will include a passport.

I do believe that is the highlighs for the State of the KOGNation!

Remember....Don't let the heat control the meat!



(Become a KOGCutie like these two ladies have done....go to www.keepersofthegrill.com get some KOGGear and send in your photo.)

Keep Your Fingers Crossed with Kroger!

So, I spoke with Kroger today, and he liked my presentation!
He is going to call the 3 College Station stores, and see if they want to bring on KOG Brand! He said he may follow up with me by weeks end, but if I have not heard from him to call him on Monday! This is exciting exciting news! I wish it was sooner, but we all have to understand this guy is working and housed out of Houston, and is still recovering from Hurricane Ike.

I'll keep you posted, and Remember....Don't let the heat control the meat!

Johnny

PS -- the photo in this blog was taken after the game, and the folks in this picture were about half of the KOGNation actually there and this was AFTER THE GAME! WOO HOO

Readfield.......Tailgates and Radio

Howdy KOGNation!

So, this past week, I was able to meet with a great man that has a great company.
Larry Ruffino with Ruffio/Readfield Meats! Ruffino is one of 3 brothers that run a local and great meat company.

The Ruffino Meat company is for commercial orders, so anyone with a restaurant, look them up.

The Readfield Meats and Deli is for "US"...the general customer.

Anyway, I was able to get with Mr. Ruffino, and he likes the idea of KOGNatio and their company (Readfield) donated meat(s) for our 2 tailgates we threw.

The two tailgates are as follows:
The Official KOGNation tailgate is located at the main gate of Olsen field.
The Official KOGNation tailgate "SHOW" is located at the corner of Olsen Blvd and Olsen Blvd....(that doesn't make sense does it?) Well, if you drive past Olsen Field and just keep going until it "seems" like it dead ends, that is where I am located along with KZNE 1150AM Radio (the Zone). The tailgate show is put on by Louie Belina, Billy Luicci, and Hunter "The Man" Goodwin. They loved the KOG Kabobs I made (meats complements of Readfield) and special for them, I made them a burger that Louie could not help but to discuss it today on the radio, and that was more radio play that was not part of our contract. Because I am going to continue to do this for the radio show, they are agreeing to put more KOGNation radio bits including (Readfield Meat) bits on the weekly show on Tuesday and Thursdays as a promo.

The tailgates and the KOGNation is growing people...
Lets welcome John K. and Suzanne A. who joined this past Friday and Today.

Take care KOGNation and Remember....Don't let the heat control the meat!

Johnny Ward

Tailgate News

Howdy KOGNation!

Well, it is official, the KOGNation will have a presence on the TAMU campus in 2 locations.

The feature tailgate will be right in front of Olsen Field between the K & J Lots in the grassy knoll just in front of the main gate of Olsen Field. You should see the KOGNation signs.

OUR 2nd location will be corner of Olsen Boulevard and Olsen Boulevard. (WHAT?!) Yeah, it looks like a dead end right there, but it is and it isn't. It is just across from LOT H and the LOT R (the RV Lot). We will be right there on the corner! KOG Kudos to KZNE 1150 The Zone (sports talk radio) for asking the KOGNation to be the official griller for their tail gate show! Make sure you tune in to them 3hrs prior the game, they typically have a former Aggie Great to discuss the game as well, which is always fun!

I look forward to seeing all of you at the tailgates!

Remember...Don't let the heat control the meat!

Johnny Ward