"It's a sin … "

… said my oldest friend when, after more than twenty years of not seeing each other, I admitted I no longer drew or painted the miniatures that once were my relief and refuge. An interesting coincidence, I thought, given that not hours before I'd walked around the National Gallery thinking to myself, "I used to do that." 

"It's a sin!" A statement, simple and direct, but one of the many gifts and blessings this holiday brought – like the brother I never knew I had. More of that later when jetlag is passed and my brain returns, I hope, as quickly as it seems to have left.