… for me and Huck.

Max here — briefly — on a boat in the Mediterranean about 9 hours from Barcelona. The Barcelona airport, at this hour, is open. Flights direct to the U.S. are flying — at this hour. That means we may depart as scheduled on Monday for the U.S. and a return to Arkansas Monday night. But the volcanic ash may move south; questions remain about people traveling on frequent flier miles (as we are) in the absolute chaos that has become European travel. I’m on a boat with 650 people looking to return home, mostly through London (they’re screwed). The ship is also looking to bring in another 650 people coming through London and other European cities to begin a new cruise Sunday. I’m glad it’s not my logistical headache.

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Looks like Leslie and Gerard and Co. have filled admirably in my absence. Lots to talk about it seems. Sen. Lincoln is running like somebody who’s in trouble. The Republican candidates for the same seat are running to be first to the nut house.

The highlight of the trip is, of course, the news that I ran Mike Huckabee out of Arkansas. (I know. I know. He’s just a tax fugitive and whining about unfriendly local media  for cover. But still, to whatever extent we can take credit for Florida’s loss and our gain, we’ll take a bow.)

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I wish I could post a fine picture I took of the gastronomic highlight of the trip — a platter of seafood in the fish stalls of Agadir, Morocco, the biggest sardine port in the world. It was a pile of broiled and fried fish, shrimp, langoustine and squid. It was served at long tables in a fly-blown courtyard surrounded by tiny individual vendors supplied by seafood straight off the boats that dock nearby. The fiendish hot sauce — salty and dosed with preserved lemon — was just right. Sneer at sardines, if you will. But eat some fresh ones — fried or broiled — and you might change your tune.

See you Monday, I hope.

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PS — Somebody asked: I’m raising money with Rosi Smith Friday on KUAR. The Arkansas Blog match applies as usual. Mention the Blog in your call and I’ll chip in a match up to another $10.

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