Posts Tagged: christy hoss book tour

My Visiting Author Trip to Kenwood School

Posted November 12, 2021 | Christy Hoss

I felt like a little girl on Christmas morning opening the biggest present, and finding exactly what she wanted!

When Sharon Watson, Kenwood School’s librarian, invited me to come do an author visit assembly, I was over-the-top thrilled. I taught at Kenwood for ten years and filled various creative roles. To me, it was the happiest place on earth to teach but I gave it up to pursue my writing dreams.

Facing the assembled children, I told the story of my journey since second grade. I didn’t bore them with lengthy tales of my history but encouraged them to keep hoping and dreaming and work hard at whatever their dream is, in order to make it come true.

Just for fun, I gave volunteers the opportunity to shoot rubber bands through holes on a game board, reminding them that shooting a rubber band is how Eddie got in trouble and they should only use rubber bands for their intended purpose or end up in the principal’s office.

The students had many great questions and I had to opportunity to speak to the fifth-grade class as they are doing a NANOWRIMO project.

It’s always a pleasure to watch the faces of the children as I sign books. But, just like a day ending at Disneyland, I didn’t want to leave the happiest place on earth. Alas, I must return to the hardest part of being an author – writing.

Traveling with a Diabetic Handler

Posted October 24, 2021 | Aiden the Service Dog

Does a service dog ever get a vacation?

Thanks for asking.

Traveling with Christy is always an adventure. She has to pack not only for herself but also for my needs. That makes for extra-heavy luggage because I need my food, special treats, vitamins, toys, bed, parkas for cold weather, rain slicker for wet weather and booties for hot and cold weather. I get exhausted just thinking about it.

When Christy packs for herself, she includes all her diabetic supplies, and food and juice for low blood sugars (enough to last longer than our stay just in case – she’s prepared).

I’m not mentioning all the other stuff she packs for herself. She packs everything like we’re moving or something. Before flying, she had to remove a lot of stuff because the airline only allows a checked bag to be fifty pounds. That’s how over-prepared she is.

However, a diabetic always has to be prepared.

Traveling across two times zones to the East messed up her blood sugars. Our schedule changed from day to day, so she was without a regular eating routine – something that is very important to a diabetic.

Going to Minnesota really wasn’t a vacation for me. Mom had two-to-three low blood sugars a day, so I worked a lot. But I’m always on duty, 24/7. In fact, I like my job so much, I never take vacations.

What does vacation mean to a dog, anyway?

Read more about our book tour to Minnesota here.

Aiden’s Thoughts About Our Book Tour to Minnesota

Posted October 4, 2021 | Aiden the Service Dog
Love from Minnesota storefront

Love from Minnesota storefront

I’m so glad to be home! I don’t mind travelling, but it seems we were just getting settled and the scents were becoming familiar when we packed up and moved to the next city.

I fly like a carry-on and fit nicely under the seat in front of Christy. I was trained to do it that way. It’s always nice when we have a seat or two with no one next to us for extra stretch-out space.

Here are photos of some of the things I did in Minnesota.

Walked the Mall of America.

Made new friends, Cody and Frankie.

Saw a lot of lakes (I didn’t get too near them since I don’t like water, but it made for a nice background).

Discovered the true purposes of dogs (things I love to do when I’m not working).

Spent four nights in Christy’ hometown of Thief River Falls. (Yes, there really is such a place).

All totaled, we put in more than 4,000 miles!

Despite all the places we visited, the miles we put on the rented van and the adventures I had, I’m beyond thrilled to be home. Even though airports have “pet relief” areas, I’d rather do my business in my own backyard.