This big guy is Parker Ask, who was born yesterday, Saturday, morning at 9:55. Both Parker and his mom, Lisa, are doing great. (Oh, yes. And so is dad, David.) This photo was taken when Parker was about six hours old by Natalie Willis, another Hammoratian who is counting down the final days until her bundle of joy introduces herself.

We'll have to wait until Monday to report who made the closest prediction to Parker's arrival time and size, 9 lbs., 8 ounces. (Update: Lynne Boyer is the winner by a few ounces.)

(Note from Rex: I'd especially like to commend Parker for choosing my mother's 90th birthday for his arrival. Also, I'd like to give Lisa a special shout-out for working through a Friday and having her baby on a weekend. Now that's service way beyond the call of duty!)

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Back in January, some of the native Alabamans at Hammock listed their favorite eatery. As a native Tennessean, I can recognize the supreme southern meat and three meal. Yesterday my husband John and I dined at Carl's Perfect Pig in White Bluff, TN (where a waist is a terrible thing to mind), after our hike in Montgomery Bell State Park. I had the pork barbeque with fried corn, baked beans and baked apples with a cornbread pancake washed down with sweet tea. John had the gigantic jalapena burger with fries. I couldn't resist the pineapple upside cake, and he tested the mini chess pie with coffee.

Before we drifted into a food coma, I realized that John was wearing his Hammock tee, and I took this snapshot in front of the restaurant. If we visit Carl's again, we may need larger tee shirts next year. Barbara Mathieson

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From Rex:

I'm having a hard time recalling if I've ever been this proud a magazine we don't publish has won lots of awards.

Last night in Louisville, Hammoratian editorial ace Bill Hudgins, who had a decade-long stint editing a trucking magazine we published for a former client, was the big winner in this year's Truck Writers of North America Communications Awards.

A freelance piece Bill wrote for Land Line Magazine not only the Gold prize for technical writing, but also won the Gold prize among all print articles and then, drum roll please, the Grand prize for best article, overall.

I'm happy that Bill is still recognized as the best trucking writer in America. We've known that all along.

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