burgers, barbecue, and baxter

today a friend and i drove about six hours south of louisville to hot old birmingham. he is on a reading sabbatical and i hope to get a first draft of chapter three finished. on the way down, we were able to meet a dear friend of mine for lunch, sharing a wonderful time together over what might one of the best hamburgers in the known world. from dub's, we made our way to whitt's barbecue and, then, on to birmingham. i must say it was good to get here and see that baxter is doing well, despite his outpatient surgery today. the week promises to be a productive, encouraging, and enlightening time. much mary catherine's will be consumed. way too much food will be eaten. and cynical comments will be made. i need weeks like this.