I'm back from another delightful and productive visit to Birmingham, but I think I left my wallet and likely future royalty income in the copy machine in the archives at the Birmingham Public Library. After a little organization, I'll be ready to review my notes and write.

I saw long-time friends, Neal and Joan Broerman, who took me to Dreamland for some down-home Alabama barbecue. Yummy! And that day, my Calkins Creek editor told me that We Are One: The Story of Bayard Rustin has gone into its second printing. Already. I'm not complaining.

Later this week I will visit Mesquite Elementary School in Gilbert, Arizona. School visits are almost always fun, so I'm looking forward to meeting everyone at Mesquite. Gosh, can it be mid-February already? I just realized today that 2008 is a leap year. Who knew?!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm packed for Birmingham--almost. What I hope to find there on this trip? Transcripts for the trial of Robert Chambliss. Also, I hope to return to the FBI files so I can photocopy information about their investigation into the 16th Street bombing in 1963. I hate ferreting out this primary source stuff--but it's necessary for the type of book I'm hoping to write. I've already read books (adult variety) that summarize all this information, but there's nothing like having the original sources.

Swapped e-mail with Joan Broerman, and we plan to see each other while I'm in B'ham this trip. She's doing research at the BCRI (where I spent a week during my last visit), so she'll be right in the neighborhood.

When I return, there will be work to do on behalf of my homeowners' association. It's simply amazing to me that a shifty builder can come into a neighborhood, ruin it, and somehow wiggle out of his obligations to correct the damages. We--the association--turned to the Arizona Registrar of Contractors, the state's oversight organization, and the builder boasted that we could file all the complaints in the world and he'd never be cited for wrong-doing because he had them in his pocket. The AZ ROC IS funded by contractors and their may be truth to his statements, but I've been asked to file an appeal on behalf of the association. Somebody really needs to shut this builder down before he victimizes other neighborhoods. Enough grousing.

I'm looking forward to a February 15th visit to Mesquite Elementary in Gilbert, Arizona. It should be great fun!