Making Scents:
Super Saving Sniffer

Meeting My Second Grade Teacher

If you’ve visited the “About Christy” page of my website or read my blog post, “The Birth of a Book,” you know I give my second-grade teacher, Mrs. Olson, credit for inspiring me to become a writer.

A year ago, I inquired about her to a reporter at my hometown’s newspaper, the Thief River Falls Times. That wonderful reporter knew who I was talking about and connected me with Mrs. Olson.

Mrs. Olson and I talked on the phone a couple of times, but the excitement grew as I told her of our trip to Minnesota.

I told her I would love to speak to students where my dad taught school and she went to work.

Soon, I was in contact with not only the principal of Challenger Elementary, but also a communications teacher at Franklin Junior High, where I went to school. He arranged a book signing at Diamonds and Designs, where Mrs. Olson volunteers.

I enjoyed every minute of my book tour, but the best moment I had was having dinner with Mrs. Susan Olson. I didn’t know what to call her, respectfully, since the entire town knows her as “Susie.” I settled on calling her Miss Susie.

We talked like old friends and had so much in common, down to our taste in clothing! I’m forever grateful to Miss Susie!