I thought about all the things I was suddenly able to do—like fight with a sword and summon a magical shell of armor. Those were not things I covered in home school.

A general never shows despair. He instills confidence in his troops. He leads them forward, even into the mouth of death.

Yours in demigodishness, and all that. Peace out!

may the gods be with you

They send a person who can never stay," she whispered. "Who can never accept my offer of companionship for more than a little while. They send me a hero I can't help ... just the sort of person I can't help falling in love with." ... As I sailed into the lake I realized the Fates really were cruel. They sent Calypso someone she couldn't help but love. But it worked both ways. For the rest of my life I would be thinking about her. She would always be my biggest what if.

Stuff has become the enemy. There always seems to be more of it than I have storage in my house!

Well," I said. "If you need me, I'll be outside, playing with sharp objects.