A picture is worth a thousand words. The first words this afternoon from Talitha were, “Welcome home. I’m so glad you’re back. I love you.” Then came a few gifts, and the words were, “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”

Thank you to the one who suggested Uggs as gifts. Sorry I couldn’t bring a pair back for all of you. Talitha is the grand winner of these–and so practical for our Minnesota winter.

I asked a friend in Australia how to be sure I was getting genuine Uggs and not a cheap knock-off. She said, “Just be sure it’s real sheepskin and not a synthetic.” I said, “But how can I know it’s the real Ugg brand?” Here’s the surprise–at least to me: In Australia Ugg is a generic word for any sheepskin shoe, boot, or slipper. So, though the word is a trademark in the US, it’s any “ugg-ly” warm, comfortable sheepskin footwear in Australia. The friend said it’s as if someone took the word slipper and turned it into a brand name.

I have a few more Australia-related posts in mind, including the announcement of Mystery Prize winners. So go ahead and subscribe, if you haven’t already, so you don’t miss anything.