India, July 11 -- My family and I had a travel-filled month. We unpacked our sweaters from the Bhutan trip, only to pack our summer clothes for a trip to Japan a few days later. I was looking forward on our return to sinking my teeth into my hoard of Bhutanese paintings, textiles and other purchases from there. My gorgeousVajrayogini or Mahakaali (the subject of my painting was so identified by a Tibetan and a Bhutanese friend, respectively, so this is not any hegemonic nomenclature by me) by a Bhutanese master-artist was back from the framers. Now that the kids were due (at last) back to school, I was pleasurably anticipating a few quiet mornings spent poring over its exquisite detail and bold lines. I was sketching in my head a book based...