Being Blessed

Just kidding! I'm not one to use that word. In fact, I laughed my head off when I read this article about the over-use of the word "blessed" on social media. Didn't people used to just call themselves "lucky"?

Anyway, were I to use the word "blessed", I'd say it would be appropriate this week.

First of all I got a lovely award from the nice people at The Displaced Nation. It's nice to have such an enthusiastic shout-out for something I've written. Ironically, it was for a piece I wrote about Brits not being able to take praise very well, so I'm being very un-British in bragging here aren't I?

And secondly, I went to an event last night. I don't really go out much, especially during the week, and usually not to what one calls events. Anyway, as I said, last night I went to a soft opening (that's when the place has been open for a while but they haven't got round to having an "opening") at a fabulous little gift shop in Chicago.

This is me hanging out with the owner -

Yes, it's her. You know, the one from ooh, what's that movie? (Joan Cussack, by the way.) And she's as funny, lovely and zany as you'd think she'd be. Confusingly, the shop's called Judy Maxwell Home, (on Wells Street, by the way).

What's more her shop sells the most amazing gifts - funny and sometimes a little well, titilating. 

Like these hand sanitizers - 

Yes, you read that right!

Made me laugh out loud anyway.