Cartoon Messages

 In the “GO” section of the Hamilton Spectator are travel suggestions...local events to attend...activities of the celebrities...gardening tips...recipes for seasonal fruits and vegetables...good health directives.  The main attractions to me are the Crossword Puzzle...Sudoku...and a full page of comic strips which intrigue me as they depict life with a touch of humour, a touch of irony perhaps or a fluff of philosophy to strengthen one's day.  From these cartoons, one views personal qualities with a new perspective!

Mutts ~ is one of my favourite comic strips.  It usually features Earl, a small dog with a big heart...cheerfully tugging at the leash on the walk of life and Mooch, Earl's feline pal, the “tuxedo” kitty with his own way of thinking and talking. Ozzie is Earl's guardian and best friend and of him says, “He's the guy who feeds me...gives me treats...rubs my belly...and takes me for rides ~ my Ozzie! There are about a dozen other characters in the strip including Sid the Fish.  All these characters live near parkland...and the sandy beach along ocean water.

.                                       Walking together, Earl and Mooch believe as Henry Ford:

“Obstacles are those frightful things

you see when you take your eyes off your goal.”

I loved Saturday's issue of Mutts in colour.  A vertical picture on the left shows the wavy blue ocean water with a huge orange sun beginning to descend from the sky...approaching the horizon.  The remaining large rectangle  is divided into 3 long horizontal spaces.  Try to visualize this as Earl and Mooch in the top section, walk toward the sandy beach beside the ocean blue, and observing the setting orange sun, Mooch comments, “Every night the sun shlips gently into the sea.” 

 In the middle horizontal scene, as the sun disappear halfway below the horizon, Mooch   again comments, “...and the cool water gently puts the hot flames to rest. Earl looks questioningly at Mooch trying to understand his pal’s thinking. 

The lower picture depicts the sun gone from view...the sky and waters both darkened.  Earl exclaims, “Ahh...” and Mooch, this magnificent sunset fully enthralling him, with his “arms extended outward  and upward” into the deep purple sky,...philosophically says, “The Wisdom of Nature!”

A Few More of My Favourite Cartoon Strips:

Hagar the Horrible ~ is a caricature of medieval Scandinavian life.  Hagar is a shaggy, scruffy, overweight red-bearded Viking.  As a warrior, he regularly raids England and southern France.  His “dress” with horned helmet makes him look  somewhat like a cave man...but you also know that he has a soft heart.. Much of the humour centers around Hagar's interactions with his longship crew, especially Lucky Eddie...in the tavern (where he spends much time)...or at home with his combative wife, Helga...their brilliant and sensitive son, Hamlet...the pretty but domestically hopeless daughter, Honi...Helga's pet duck, Kvack. There is also Hagar's loyal and clever dog, Snert...often Hagar's mother-in-law comes to visit (which to him is a dreaded experience!)

Blondie ~ began her cartoon life as a gorgeous flapper who had a list of boyfriends (one of whom was Dagwood Bumstead.)  Later they fell in love and married. Dagwood and Blondie had to go out in the world and hack it like the rest of us.  Settling down to a modest lifestyle with children and a dog, Daisy, they greatly became concerned with real life.  Today they appear together in blissful love and happiness. Characters in the comic strip include the personnel in Dagwood's office...Blondie's catering business...their neighbours...the mailman…a  boy who frequents  Dagwood to show or tell something.

Hi and Lois ~ The cast of this classic American comic strip provides a warm, loving portrait of a wholesome family with traditional values and modern day sensibilities.  The main characters are Hi (Hiram) and Lois Flagstone who have four children (she works part time as a realtor).  Chip is a stereotypical, slovenly teenage boy...Dot and Ditto are rambunctious twins...Trixie, their blonde baby girl loves talking to Sunbeam (a ray of sunlight that comes through her morning window.)  Dawg is the family's large shaggy sheep dog.  Thirsty and Irma Thurston are their friendly neighbours.

Adam at Home ~ follows the life of Adam Newman, a stay-at-home-dad who  juggles his busy family life and career job…Adam Newman Enterprises... from his home computer.  A caffeine addict, he spends his days at his computer, occasionally slacking off with coffee and tending his baby son, Nick.  He dreads the summertime when his older children will be home tearing up the house and begging him to take them out.  Laura, his wife, works at a bookstore…and becomes his ‘salvation’ when she returns from work to take the kids off his hands.  (Clayton and Katy elementary school students.)

Pickles ~  The strip describes the efforts of Earl and Opal Pickles in their 70’s to enjoy retirement, which instead proves quite imperfect for both.  Earl is characterized by having a bald head, wears glasses, has a bushy white moustache and wears suspenders.  Opal is characterized as somewhat chubby, bespectacled  and is often seen wearing purple polka-dotted dresses and white sneakers.  When sitting, she is usually seen with her pet cat, Muffin, on her lap. The cast includes their dog, Rascoe, their grandson, Nelson (who often visits grandma and grandpa)…a crony friend of Earl’s, whom he frequently meets at a nearby park to discuss how their world turns.

to love each other.

Zits ~ is about the life of Jeremy Duncan, a 16-year-old High School sophomore,  as he tries to balance his family life…social life…academic demands of High School…and his plans for the future.  He aspires to be a rock musician, spending much time with his music friends  and their band.  Connie Duncan, his mother is a child psychologist but only works part time since Jeremy’s  birth. She acts as the disciplinarian for him.  He doesn’t share much with his parents…yet she is willing to listen to him. Walt Duncan, his father, an orthodontist, finds it impossible to hold a conversation with his son.

Between Friends ~ Created by a Canadian cartoonist, it offers a near-telepathic view of female psyche and illustrates the essence and angst of modern women.  It chronicles the highs and lows of three archetypal women in their early 40’s who have known each other since High School.  Susan who balances her full time job with responsibilities at home…Maeve, the sophisticated divorced professional who’s always looking for Mr. Right…and Kim who works at home while taking care of her 6-year-old stepson.  They talk to each other re…aging…dating exes…motherhood…guilt…the pros   & cons of Botox.. Readers may recognize themselves or friends in this contemporary slice-of-life strip.

Sherman’s Lagoon ~ is an imaginary place in the tropics inhabited by a cast of sea creatures whose lives are curiously similar to our own.  The cartoonist explores many of the issues we face daily in our lives on dry land.  By putting them in a different context, he helps us laugh at ourselves.  His characters attempt new business ventures…go on disastrous dates…try fad diets…and read the latest best-selling books.  But they also have problems relating to fish.  Sherman, the main character is a great white shark who is completely unaware of how intimidating his species can be.  He gets pushed around by the other characters…namely Hawthorne (the hermit crab)…Fillmor (the sea turtle)...and his wife, Megan (who is another great white shark, of course).  The cartoonist takes his characters on “road trips” where they explore different parts of the ocean and meet nature animals along the way.

Pooch Café ~ is a comic strip that follows Poncho’s interactions with humans…namely Chazz (his master who rescued him from the dog pound) and his loving wife, Carmen, who owns a brood of 6 cats…and Poncho’s adventures with his fellow dogs ( 7 of them). Other semi-recurring characters are Tito (the garbage man),  Sheldon (a pigeon) and Margo (a dog-walker).  The strip takes its name from the café where Poncho and his friends gather to compare notes about life among humans.

Words of Wisdom re Quality:

Never blame anyone in your life ~ good people bring you Happiness.

Bad people give you Experience. Worst people teach you a Lesson.

Best people give you Memories!

(Thank  you, Dilu for these words.)

Crafted by Merle Baird-Kerr … August 24, 2013

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Motivations & Smiles for September

(gleaned from my collection of “calendar quotes”)

The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.

The next time is NOW!

(Chinese Proverb)

Concentration:  You must be single minded.  Drive for the one thing on which you have decided. (George S. Patton).  Illustration: a quarterback poised ready to pass to receiver.

Change:  We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sail. (Anonymous) 

Illustration: sailboat with red, white & blue sail on a windy lake.

Survival:  Never eat more than you can lift.  (Miss Piggy)  Illustration: brownish bird eating berries  
 from a fruit tree.

Friendship:  What is a friend?  A single soul dwelling in two bodies (Aristotle).
Illustration: two antlered deer in the forest meeting “nose to nose.”

Accept the Challenges so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory.  (General George Patton)

 Illustration:  team of players “high-fives” for success.

Always Do what you are afraid to do.  Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Illustration:  diver soaring off a steep cliff into deep water set against a sunset sky.

Progress Always Involves Risk:  You can't steal second base and keep your foot on first.
(Frederick Wilcox) Illustration:  runner sliding and stealing the base.

Between each dawn and setting sun, set aside some time for fun. (Anonymous) 

 Illustration:  family with bonfire on a sandy beach.

They are Able because they believe they are able.  (Virgil)

 Illustration:  football players waiting for “the snap.”

From Marie's Motivation Calendar with Invitation to Aspire:

Envision a rock climber ascending a steep icy cliff.

Aspire, rather to be a  hero, rather than be one.

(Baltasar Gracian)

Special Event Days

September 2 ~ Labour Day...celebrated yearly the first Monday in September.

September 3 ~ My daughter's birthday.

September 8 ~ Grandparents Day...the Sunday following Labour Day.  ***

September 11 ~ Memorial Day (United States) commemorating Attack on NYC Twin Towers.

September 16 ~ International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer...commemorates the date of signing of the Montreal Protocol (1987) on substances that delete the Ozone Layer.  Classrooms will focus on related topics.

September 19 ~ Full Moon

September 22 ~ First Day of Autumn

***  “I’m retired, but I work part-time spoiling my grandchildren.”

         Grandparents are so easy to operate ~ even a child can do it.

         Grandparents bestow upon their grandchildren 

          the strength and wisdom that time and experience have given them.

Did You Know?

The Canadian Wildlife Federation has trained thousands of teachers across Canada and has education resources available online to help educators, parents and the general public learn about wildlife.  Visit CWFEducation.ca to find out more.

This month caribou begin their annual mating season called the “rut”. Frequent and  intense sparring occurs between competitive males.

September's Butterfly

The eastern comma is found throughout eastern North America.  They are found across central and eastern Canada from Newfoundland to Saskatchewan.  These orange and black speckled butterflies are most commonly seen along roadsides and clearings...happily flitting around flowers.

September Song

(Tony Bennett lyrics)

When I was a young man

Courting the girls,

I played a watching game.

If a maid refused me with tossing curls

I let the old Earth take a couple of whirls

While I plied her with tears in lieu of pearls.

And as the time came around

She came my way.

As the time came around

She came my way.

But it's a long, long while from May to December.

But the days grow short when you reach September.

When the autumn weather turns the leaves to flame

One hasn't got time for the watching game.

Oh, the days dwindle down to a precious few

September, November

And these special days, I'll spend with you.

These special days, I'll spend with you.

And the wine dwindles down to a precious brew

September, November

And these few vintage years I'll spend with you.

These few vintage years I'll spend with you.

Crafted by Merle Baird-Kerr … September 1, 2013

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Keeper Friends

Dear Keeper,

I grew up in the 60's with practical parents.  A Mother, God love her, who washed aluminum foil after she cooked in it, then reused it.  She was the original recycle queen...before they had a name for it...a Father who was happier getting old shoes fixed than buying new ones.

Their marriage was good, their dreams focused.  Their best friends lived barely a wave away.  I can see them now...Dad in trousers, tee shirt and a hat...and Mom in a house dress, broom in one hand and dish-towel in the other.  It was the time for fixing things:  a curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress...things we keep!

It was a way of life and sometimes it made me crazy.  All that re-fixing, eating, renewing.  I wanted just once to be wasteful.  Waste meant affluence.  Throwing things away meant  you knew there'd always be more from where those came.

But then, my Mother died and on that clear summer's night, in the warmth of the hospital room, I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more. Sometimes, what we care about most, gets all used up and goes away...never to return.  So...while we have it...it's best we love it...and care for it...and fix it when it's broken...and heal it when it's sick.

This is true...for marriage...for old cars...and children with bad report cards...dogs and cats with bad hips...and aging parents...and grandparents.  We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it.  Some things we keep...like a best friend that moved away or a classmate we grew up with.

There are just some things that make life important...like people we know who are special...and so we keep them close! I received this from someone who thinks I am a “keeper” so I've sent it to the people I think of in the same way.  Now, it's your turn to send this to those “keepers” in your life.

(Appreciation to Tom who sent me the foregoing)

“Good Friends are like Stars.

You don't always see themselves

but you always know they are there.”

(Anonymous)

Pearls of Wisdom

There are 5 things you cannot recover in life ~ thanks to Dilu:

A Stone  ~  thrown!

                                                             An Occasion ~  forgotten!

A Word  ~  spoken!

                                                                     A Time ~ gone!

                                                                     A Love ~  lost!

Merle Baird-Kerr … crafted July 29, 2013

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Boston Marathon Bombings

Perspectives...by Evelyn Marshak

Did you know that two of the doctors treating the Boston Marathon Bombing patients at Boston's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center were Israeli?  Two of the seven doctors have had abundant experience treating victims of terror because these medical personnel are Israelis. 

Doctors and medical staff at Boston hospitals found themselves facing the horrific aftermath of the bombings and realized that they were rather well prepared  in part by lessons shared by Israeli Medical personnel.  Terror medicine is something doctors have learned a lot about over the years.  The war in Afghanistan, Iraq and the earthquake in Haiti gave many doctors in United States, on-the-job-training in treating bombing and other kinds of terror patients. 

Dr. Avi Rivkind heads the surgery and trauma unit at Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem Haddah Hospital and has treated more than half of Israel's bombing victims.  With his personal experience he  helped rewrite the book on treating victims of bombing. 

Rivkin is revered for refusing to give up on the most hopeless trauma  patients such as a soldier that was shot through the heart and pronounced dead.  Somehow, Rivkin revived him!

Dr. Kevin Tabb, President and CEO of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center received his medical degree from Jerusalem's Hebrew University.  Tabb said, “Unfortunately, I have had a lot of experience with these types of injuries, after years of treating people injured in terror attacks.”

The director of the emergency room at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is Dr. David Talmor, also an Israeli physician.

Dr. Alasdair Conn, chief of emergency medicine at Massachusetts  General Hospital told reporters that his staff was better prepared because a few  years ago, some Israeli doctors travelled to Boston to help upgrade Massachusetts General's disaster response plan.  Conn noted that, “We in the United States have had little experience in urban explosions.  The Israelis, unfortunately had the experience; they transferred it to us... and this worked well for us.”

I think I speak for many Americans who waited to do something but too far away from Boston to rush into the city on that horrific day.  There was little  one could do in a direct way, but as Jews, we can take great pride in the Jewish doctors' medical skills in both Israel and in Boston; they have done something indirectly to ease the pain of the injured.

Words of Wisdom

It is a man’s own mind…not the enemy or foe

that leads him to evil ways.

(Buddha)

Crafted by Merle Baird-Kerr...June 29, 2013

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 ***  Today, August 21, the following “update” 

                                                       was published in our local newspaper:

Bombing suspect was shot in the face

Newly released court documents describe the extent of injuries to the surviving suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing, including multiple gunshot wounds to his face and a skull fracture.

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s injuries were described by Dr. Stephen Ray Odom during a legal proceeding at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center three days after Tsarnaev was captured in a boat in a back yard  in the Boston suburb of Watertown.  A transcript of the testimony was unsealed  Monday. 

Odom, a trauma surgeon who treated Tsarnaev, said the most severe injury was from a bullet that appeared to enter through the left inside of his mouth and exit the lower section of his face on the left side.  He described it as a “high-powered injury” that resulted in a skull-base fracture, injuries to his middle ear, the skull base , the pharynx and mouth.  Odom said Tsarnaev also had wounds to his lower extremities and bone injuries to his left hand.

Tsarnaev, 20, has pleaded not guilty to numerous charges  in the April 15^th bombing ~ including using a weapon of mass destruction ~ and faces a potential death sentence if convicted.  The twin bombings near the finish line of the marathon killed 3 people and injured more than 260.

Lesson From the Professor

It is most encouraging when blog readers  submit to me stories, experiences and philosophies...that well blend with and enhance the messages I present  through Merle's Kaleidoscope of Life. “Coffee Service”  (previous posted article) and this one truly impressed me and bear significant importance to how we, today, may live our lives.

 I extend gracious thanks to an American reader  for having the insight to send me today’s article.

Life is Like Coffee

A video shows the University entrance...coffee pot...and assortment of beautiful cups and saucers from ornate to plain...captions at each picture “paint the lesson” to us all...illustrated with various coffee cups as the professor's message is revealed.

Think about it!

Maybe you don't even like coffee...but this is thought provoking.

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, get together to visit their old college professor.

Conversation soon turned to complaints...about stress and work in life.

Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large silver pot of coffee and an assortment of cups:  porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal...some plain looking...some expensive...some exquisite.

He told his guests to help themselves to the coffee.  After everyone had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said, “If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups have been taken up ~ leaving behind the plain and cheap ones.  While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves...that's the source of your problems and stress.

Be aware that the cup adds no quality to the coffee.  In most cases ~ it's just not expensive...and in some cases, even hides what we drink...when all you really want is the coffee ~ not the cup. But  you consciously went for the best cups...and then you began eyeing each other's cup.  They are just tools to hold and contain Life.

Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee!

Savour the Coffee...not the Cup!

The happiest people don't have the best of everything.

Live simply...Speak kindly...Care deeply...Love graciously.

The happiest person is not the one who has the most! But the one who has the least.

Life is like Coffee!

(Author Unknown)

SOMETHING ELSE TO THINK ABOUT

Self Lesson

Imagine that you had won the following prize in a contest.  Each morning your bank would deposit $86,400.00 in your private account for your use.  However, this prize had rules, just as any game has certain rules.  The first set of rules would be:  "Everything that you didn't spend during each day would be taken away from you. You may not simply transfer money into some other account.  You may only spend it."

Each morning upon awakening, the bank opens your account with another $86,400.00 for that day.

The second set of rules would be:  The bank can end the game without warning  and at any time can   say, “It's over;  the game is over!" It can close the account and you will not receive a new one.

What would you personally do?

You would buy anything and everything you wanted, right?  Not only for yourself, but for all the people you love, right?  You would try to spend every cent, and use it, right?

ACTUALLY, THIS GAME IS REALITY!

                                       Each of us is in possession of such a “magical” bank.   
                                                             We just cant' seem to see it.

THE MAGICAL BANK IS TIME

Each awakening morning we receive 86,400 seconds as a gift of life...

and when we go to sleep at night, any remaining time is NOT credited to us. 

What we haven't lived up that day is forever lost.  Yesterday is forever gone!

            Each morning the account is refilled,

but the bank can dissolve your account at any time

WITHOUT WARNING!

Well, what will you do with your 86,400 seconds?

Aren't they worth so much more than the same amount in dollars?

Think about that, and always think of this:

Enjoy every second of your life, because time races by

so much quicker than you think.

So, take care of yourself and enjoy life!

Pearl of Wisdom

“The uncertainty of the present always give way

to the enchanted possibilities of the future.”

Crafted by Merle Baird-Kerr...May 3, 2013

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Coffee Service

Introducing a New Office Procedure

Hello Mom,

I remember a time when you said that at your Real Estate Office, ordinary people lacked the common sense to install a new roll of papier de toilette.  One lady finally posted a little sign labelled, “Very Simple Instructions!”

Here in the “break room” at my place of employment, we have a microwave only and a pure water dispenser.  There was nowhere to wash your hands, except in the bathroom.  And if you bought some blueberries or cherries from an outside street vendor, you had to rinse them in this same place.

Then, facilities came along and installed a really nice sink in the “break room.”  And they installed a proper microwave shelf, then put the oven up there.  But there was no soap or coffee or tea.  Many offices now have a Keurig machine.  But the nuisance problem is that some workers like to steal the Keurig cartridges to take home.

I finally gave in and bought a box of Lipton tea and put it in the “break room” with a notice that it was supplied by your co-workers...and meant for all to share in the office.  And they did.  And now, some other people bring in tea.

About a month ago, facilities installed a three-pot commercial office coffee-machine ~ you know the old kind with the basket brewer.  And there it sat...fully connected and operational, but with no coffee to put in it.  So, like the little red hen, I bought some coffee and filters.  Just today, I put some half-and-half in the fridge and some sugar under the counter.  This is the notice that I put on the coffee machine:

“It us nice to have a coffee service, don't you think?  Every office has basic coffee and tea service in the 'break room'.  Facilities has been kind enough to make us a nice hand-washing sink, which is also good for rinsing fresh fruit which we can buy outside.  (It's pretty awkward to rinse them in the bathroom.)

“And look, Facilities has put the microwave up on a shelf for us and installed this beautiful new commercial coffee maker.  A simple Keurig would have been simpler and cheaper, but this is what we have now.  It's a nice museum piece, but did you know that it actually works?  That's right:  If you put a proper filter in the basket with the right amount of ground coffee, and press the Brewski button, you won't believe this, but it will actually fill the carafe with hot coffee!  Isn't that simply lovely?

“I love hot, fresh coffee, don't you?  Where I come from, there's a Tim Horton's on  every corner and people line up for their 'Timmies' coffee every morning.

“The one thing we do not have is actual coffee to put in the machine.  So, your kind-and-generous co-workers, the same folks who wanted free tea in the 'break room', and happily share it with everybody, have bought some coffee...filters...milk (half-and-half)...and sugar, so we can make this spiffy new coffee machine do its thing.

“It isn't really expensive ~ it's just that if no one person takes the initiative...then no one will.

“If  you like having coffee in the 'break room' , then you buy some once in a while.  (One can of ground coffee is cheaper than a Caramel Macchiato at Starbucks.  If  you like milk in your coffee, then you buy some occasionally. It's  that simple.  You learn to live with people by being kind to your fellow man.

“So yes, there is some real sugar in the cupboard below and some half-and-half in the fridge.  These are for all to use.  And you ask,  'Where's the sweetener?'  It's over at CVS (Pharmacy) and they will accept Federal Reserve notes in exchange for sweetener.

“What about stir sticks, you may ask; Just put your milk and sugar in the cup first and  learn to pour so the turbulence in the cup achieves  the dissolving  reaction.  In fancy restaurants, they pour the carafe a meter from the cup without spilling a drop.

“What about cups?  They have some nice ones over at the PATH station.

“As a last word, we are adults here...and not kids.  We all learned to clean up after ourselves in childhood.  If  you make a mess, then clean it.  If you spill some milk, coffee or sugar, then get a paper towel and wipe it.  And you men...the ladies here are not your mommies and wives to clean for you.  In a civilized country, we treat our ladies with respect.

“Now...let's make good use of our new coffee machine!”

* * * * * * * *

Henry Ford's View on Co-operation:

Coming Together is a Beginning.

Keeping Together is Progress.

Working Together is Success.

Merle Baird-Kerr … crafted July 27, 2013

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Power of Attitude

The longer I live, the more I realize  the impact of Attitude on life. 

Attitude to me is more important than facts.

It is more important than the past, than education, than money,

than circumstances, than failure, than successes,

than what other people think or say or do.

It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill.

It will make or break a company...a church...a home.

The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.  We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.  We cannot change the inevitable.

The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have and that is our attitude...I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me...and 90% how I react to it.  And so it is with you and your life.

We are in charge of our ATTITUDES!

 (unknown author)

Negative Attitude:

Every 60 seconds you spend angry, upset or mad

is a full minute of happiness you'll never get back.

(unknown philosopher)

Positive Attitude

“I've learned that people will forget what you said,

people will forget what you did,

but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

(Oprah Winfrey)

The “Win or Lose” Attitude

from The Girl Who Played with Fire...

a novel written by Stieg Larsson.

“Then came the moment that every boxer has experienced with dread.  The feeling that could turn up any time in the middle of a bout.  The feeling of just not being good enough.  The realization that you are about to lose.  That's the crux of almost every fight...the moment when strength drains from you and the adrenalin pumps so hard that it becomes a burden and surrender appears like a ghost at ringside.  That's the moment that separates the pros from the amateurs and the winner from the loser."

"Few boxers who find themselves at the edge of that abyss,

manage to turn the match around, turn certain defeat into victory. 

Paola Roberto was struck by this insight.”  

Merle Baird-Kerr … crafted July 29, 2013

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