ASTRID BENDER has traveled extensively in the Southwest U.S. as well as Mexico and South America. Through years of studies in anthropology and psychology she brings to her writing a vast knowledge of life in many venues. She lives with her husband in California. These stories are fictionalized accounts of the author's many adventures. They hum with a wide range of human endeavors and frailties - work, hope and love as well as lies, deception and death. The stories tell of our modern life styles. Native Americans' world views come to the fore as we understand their spiritual beliefs. Author photo: Horst Bender Front Cover photo: Scott Bender Storyteller Figure by Alicia Fragua (Jemez)