Close to a week ago a packet came for Claudia in the mail, and when I told her about it, I made the fatal mistake of using the imperative “Open it!” in my announcement. As a result, she refused to open it for six days.

She is now (very likely the youngest) part of a countrywide, Hermes-related art exchange. She knew about this, as I would never dare volunteer her energies much less her corporeal body for anything that would give us both satisfaction. It is forbidden.

We are still somewhat behind goal on our Hadrian’s Wall fitness challenge, but it’s also clear we can make it. It is hard to get all four of us to want to walk in this heat, even at night, but we are.