I have one more month of stories to tell in this my 18th year of volunteering in schools with Spellbinders (spellbinders.org). I have said before all my stories are about nature or wildlife or fairy tales, and include some conflict, mystery, and/or magic. I read young people's books to get ideas for stories, and sometimes I donate copies of the book to the school libraries so the children can read them. This encourages literacy, which the teacher’s like.

Using a tablet connected to the 65-inch classroom monitors, I follow up my storytelling with photos or videos related to the tale. I also spend a few minutes showing photos of Colorado or Canyon Country or the Coral Triangle, depending on the latest journey or backpacking trip I have been on

As the year progressed I found wearing hearing aids was no longer optional, in order to hear the questions the children ask me. Still, at times I cannot make out what they are saying, especially if the room is not quiet. I turn to the teacher to ask her or him to interpret for me. The effects of old age

I would like to continue doing this, as long as the teachers will schedule me. It feels like I am doing a better job than ever with the stories, after years of experience. I actually noticed a definite improvement in how I was creating and organizing the stories when I went off all processed sugar four years ago. You realize what an effect sugar had on your body and brain when you give it up. That was one of the better decisions of my life, along with giving up alcohol. (25 years ago).

I told the kids during this month’s story that Beau stopped eating on my second Utah trip and went to dog Heaven last Saturday. (cancer). I then showed a few photos of Beau’s life and mentioned me and Jess are adjusting to our new reality of life without our good friend. I said it is sad that dog’s lives are so much shorter than our own.

When I was done with one of my Wednesday stories, a little third grade boy came up and told me the same thing happened to two of his dogs. Then he said something that I couldn't hear, and so I asked him to repeat it.. He said ‘but I'll see them in Heaven again someday