An Interview with Rod Espinosa–Illustrator for Ariel: Therapy Dog of the Rio Grande Valley

rod photo In this blog entry, I am posting a recent interview with Rod Espinosa, award winning artist and illustrator who was chosen by my publisher, Sarah Publishing, to illustrate my newest children’s book entitled, Ariel: Therapy Dog of the Rio Grande Valley. cheap albion silver You can see some information (including how to order it) about the book here:
1. What is the best website to go to for information about you and your work?
The best website right now is http://rodespinosa.deviantart.com The gallery is easily navigable and it includes most up to date pictures of my projects. I also post on Facebook under the name of Rod_Espinosa.
2. How long have you been a full-time artist? How many works have you produced?
I have been a full-time artist now for 15 years. When I first came down to San Antonio to work for Antarctic Press, I wore many hats. At some points, I was also the submissions editor, editor, driver (lots of driving), laborer and even janitor.
To date, I have written and illustrated over 30 comic book titles and illustrated over 42 children’s books (43 now, with Ariel the Therapy Dog). Some of the graphic novel titles I wrote and drew include “the Courageous Princess” (nominated for the Eisner awards), “Neotopia” (nominated for the Max und Moritz awards in Germany), Steampunk Fairy Tales, and my work with the UN program’s “Stop TB” series which features famous footballers teaching people how to avoid getting Tuberculosis and various other diseases. new balance 577 grey green orange (http://www.stoptb.org/global/people/ambassadors/figo/world_tb_cup.asp)
Oh, and I produced, developed and illustrated my very own boardgame “Adventure Kingdom”. That was a lot of fun, work and hardship! haha! (https://www.thegamecrafter.com/games/adventure-kingdom-starter-set) (https://www.thegamecrafter.com/games/adventure-kingdom)
3. buy albion silver When/how did you discover your interest in art? What was your first really big break?
Like most artists, I began very early. But I never envisioned being able to do art for a living. cheap albion gold I thought I’d be an Architect because that’s what kids who could draw usually entered into in college. Luckily, the field of Advertising came up just as I was entering college so that became a good option. Solde adidas zx flux It exposed me to all the possible media out there.
There wasn’t really a big break per se. It’s more like a series of small victories interspersed with some career drops. Even now, it’s still a challenge to finally “make it”. I guess we all have a definition of what it means to finally “make it”. I can support my folks in their old age and buy good food and pay the bills. nike homme kaki That’s about it. Don’t have a Lamborghini yet (though I’d love to have a Prius).
4. Though I know you have several artistic skills, I know you primarily as a digital artist? How is that different/similar from traditional art forms? What are the basic tools/programs needed for digital art? Do you see or can you predict any changes in the genre of digital art? How/where can a young artists get training in this art form? Are there any contests you’d recommend to young/beginning artists?
There isn’t much difference between traditional and digital art aside from the fact that when you do traditional art, you do have the original piece to sell. With digital art, you have to be very careful to not accidentally erase all your copies. (I have 4 sets of duplicate files scattered all over the place and halfway around the world to prevent the loss of any one of my artworks) I would recommend though that beginning artists learn traditional painting first before moving to digital. There’s just something about doing painting that trains you better for coloring on the computer screen. But maybe that’s just me. Obviously, going digital has a massive advantage of cheaper costs. You have an endless supply of whatever color you need and and limitless supply of canvasses on which to paint your work on.
I would recommend young beginning artists to still study the old masters and how they do their art.
As for getting exposure, anywhere and every chance you get is an opportunity.
Programs: Any computer program which will allow you do to artwork is fine with me. I would not recommend getting high end software just yet. Any free program you can get online should be sufficient for practice.
How I do my art: My artwork is in 2 stages. Air Jordan 11 Retro The first stage is traditional hand drawn art. albion gold I draw the piece on a sheet of smooth laser copier paper (I buy them by the ream). I have eliminated the need for getting higher end papers with this technique. 99% of my art needs (including the work done for “Ariel, the Therapy Dog”) were done on laser copier paper. Once I have the black and white drawing finalized, I scan that into the computer.
Second stage is when I color the art up using Adobe Photoshop (again, any version is fine –some of the best colorists still use older versions of Photoshop with their work). Usually, the newer programs eat up more machine memory and have more useless features I don’t even want or can employ with my work.
Where the field is going: There’s a staggering number of artists now coming up. A lot of their work is first rate. Rod in his 20’s would not stand a chance. This is a whole new generation of kids coming up now who know their business straight out of college or art school. I wish I knew all the things they know in their youth. buy albion gold The advantages of the digital age, I guess? It’s highly competitive now but the key is to always find your voice.
5. adidas eqt damskie cheap albion gold Who are some of your favorite artists?
There are so many! But right now, I like Lawrence Alma Tadema. I first saw his work at the Getty Museum and I have a scene in my books that is a homage to that painting. buy albion gold Among the classic folks, I like Frazetta, HR Giger, Moebius. The Japanese Manga artists I like are too many to mention. kobe 9 cheap And of course, there are always today’s illustrators Oscar Chichoni, Ralph McQuarrie, Doug Chiang, Alan Lee, Julie Bell, Drew Struzan, Keith Parkinson, Christopher Moeller, and Geoff Darrow.
6. You live in the Philippines but you spend a good bit of time in the states?
You can say I straddle both worlds right now depending on the need. I am in the Philippines often because I am looking after my aging parents. Inne Buty Adidas I return to the US mostly for business needs and to visit relatives and friends.
7. One recent project is your work on Ariel: Therapy Dog of the Rio Grande Valley (Sarah Publishing) Comment on this project. Have you done work that featured animals before? What stand outs to you (or what is most important) about the story of Ariel? Tell about how/why you designed the layout. What is your favorite quote from that book?
Working on Ariel’s book has been one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had. Anytime I am presented with a project that has new challenges, this excites me. It’s been a pleasure working with the authors and the publisher Sarah Books in this endeavor. Since I worked on projects with children in the past, I had no problem drawing them and regular day to day clothing. It’s a great relief to be frank. I usually work on fantasy and Science Fiction stories so much, it’s a good change of pace to draw regular people.
As if by coincidence, I have been doing a lot of dog illustrations lately. So it’s a great time to work on Ariel’s book. I learned a lot about dog anatomy and how fur is painted with Ariel’s book.
The kid on the cover is my niece. She modeled that pose and my sister sent about 6 photos of her hugging a non-existent dog. Later on, I just painted her with Ariel in her arms.
It’s been a log of fun.
8. You have received several awards as an artist. Tell me about those.
Nominated only! (laughs) There is the Eisner nomination, the Max und Moritz nomination (my first overseas award nomination (Germany) !) and the Ignatz nomination. We can say “I won something” if we count the award the UNDP Goodwill Ambassadors award (http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/presscenter/articles/2011/10/26/comic-book-featuring-undp-goodwill-ambassadors-wins-award/)
It was presented to the organizers of the probram, but I’d like to think I’m part of that effort along with the writer of the book. 🙂
9. What advice would you give to aspiring artists today?
Go study Medicine. OK, just kidding! Be frugal. free run 5.0 blu uomo Always think of ways to not pay for anything (without resorting to crime). I cannot stress that enough. Every time I speak about comics and careers in art, it really morphs into a speech about financial management and personal motivation. Air Jordan 5 Uomo

This to me, is the bedrock of a good career in art. If you’re not an overnight success with your first book, you have to be willing to do what it takes to keep your place in the sun.

I’ve gone from living with my parents, to living with 2 roommates, living on my own, then living with my brother, on my own again, on my own with one roommate, to living in a converted van, living in my office cubicle, living with my parents (Hey, even the world famous Jane Austen lived with her parents all her life) and now I am back here in Texas, full circle.
On the road, I shared hotel rooms with 12 people, drove across the US twice, finished work for others without being paid, finished work for others while getting half the pay, done charity work to keep the company afloat…. You do what you have to do. If you really love art, it will show. You will go the distance to pursue your dream. You only live once.
I personally have set out to have a life that is not ordinary. And so thus, I live a life that is rather unique. Some people will see these constant changes in living conditions and salary fluctuations as unstable factors they are not willing to deal with. Well, to each his own. Flipping burgers is stable. This line of work isn’t for the faint of heart. You will, however, make a lot of friends.
10. AJ McCarron Jersey albion silver Is there anything else you’d like to add?
You only have one life. Do not live it according to the wishes of anyone else but you.
Here is as list of the top 5 things people regret at the end of their lives:
Make your life count.

A Southern Missive: Jan.-Feb. Issue

Bardofthesouth.com

Date: January/February 2014

A Southern Missive: Containing special news, interviews, reviews, and articles, written by Rickey E. Pittman—award-winning author, storyteller, college writing instructor, folksinger, and songwriter. ————————————————————- About the Bard of the South: Rickey E. Pittman Read his complete bio here: ============================================================= The Latest news from http://www.bardofthesouth.com/ ============================================================= The Bard of the South has been booked for the main stage at the 2014 World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Monday, March 17. Jim Belushi will be the celebrity Grand Marshal for this event. Read more about the event here: You can listen to some of the Bard’s Scottish and Irish music samples here: New Original Songs by the Bard of the South “Miss Rio Grande Valley”- So many beauties have come from the Rio Grande Valley. Here’s a song about a man who falls for a beauty queen! (Model for single release cover is Tyler Zimmerman, Miss South Texas) Preview and spend the 99 cents to order the song here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rickeypittmanbardoftheso3 “The 13th Floor” – If you’re superstitious or if you’ve heard about the wild nightlife of Dallas, you are sure to like this song! (Model for single release cover is Amanda Brady) Preview and spend the 99 cents to order the song here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rickeypittmanbardoftheso4 These songs (along with other originals) will be on the Bard’s 4th CD, which should be available by Summer 2014. The CD’s theme is songs of Texas and the Rio Grande Valley. ============================================================= ============================================================= The Bard’s calendar is filling up for the spring! Book the Bard of the South for your own school, library, organization, festival, church, banquet or other event. His positive, energetic presentation of stories and songs are sure to delight and edify those in attendance. His rates are reasonable and he pays his own travel and lodging expenses. Contact information: Rickey Pittman Cell 318-547-2906 Email: rickeyp@bayou.com ————————————————————- ( 5.) This Week’s Article ============================================================= Advice to High School Students on Making Money in the Future After living as long as I have, reflecting back on the smart and dumb choices I made, I decided to write a blog of advice to young folks listing ideas on how they can make their financial future more secure than mine has been. These are just ideas on how to make you employable, and I know these ideas may not be suitable for all. Just take these suggestions as advice. air max 90 blu donna

1. Learn at least one trade. New Balance 373 mujer According to William Barclay, the Jewish rabbis had a proverb: “He that does not teach his son a trade, teaches him to steal.” I talked once to a successful contractor about how to learn various different trades. He said, “If I wanted to learn bricklaying, I’d find a mason, tell him I’d work for him as an apprentice for two weeks for nothing. And if he liked my work, he could hire me or recommend me. There are many trades our society will need for many years in the future, including, electric, cable, plumbing, carpentry, painting, auto mechanics (I’ve paid mechanics more than I have doctors!) and music (private instruction). 2. Learn sign language for the deaf. Not only is this a service that will benefit society, it is a service that can make you money. Courts, hospitals, churches, and media often use translators. 3. Become fluent in a second language. If you intend on staying in the U.S., I would suggest Spanish, though certainly there are so many different ethnic groups coming into our nation with big population pockets in various parts of the nation, so if you wanted to specialize in one of those, I’m sure there would be opportunities for you as well in legal courts, schools, individual tutoring, and other translation opportunities. I predict that excellence in Arabic or Korean languages would be of value to the government and military in the future. 4. Start a saving’s account early and put something in it every month and never touch it. albion silver Let your money make money. 5. Make sure you are skilled in keyboarding (old word is typing) and in general computer skills. This is an expected skill in today’s society. 6. Get certified in specialization areas such as a notary, teaching, substitute teacher (a substitute teacher in Texas for example can easily make $30,000 a year), lifeguard, EMT, real estate, nursing, paralegals, welding, commercial and truck drivers. I’m sure there are many others areas I could list. 7. Read. I would suggest you read about entrepreneurs and bios of successful people. These readings will not only give you ideas but will inspire you. Build up your personal network of people you know. Never burn bridges. Keep up with those contacts. This is a fast-changing world and friends tend to be willing to provide friends with economic opportunities. ————————————————————- Like Bard of the South on Facebook! Click here: Rickey E. Pittman ============================================================= ============================================================= Apollo Descends: A Short Story by Rickey E. Pittman

Apollo Descends

I remember all the ruckus about that movie they called The Fight Club. Shoot. I live on a farm outside of Hendrix, Oklahoma, where we been having barn fights rougher than that since Indian Territory days. Fights where the blood is real, and the bruises deep, and where a man can make one careless move and be stove up for a month. My daddy said the old Chickasaw masters had some white man vices in them and enjoyed watching their slaves duke it out with slaves from other plantations and ranches. Well, after General Stand Watie surrendered to the Federals in 1865, slavery ended in Indian Territory, but the barn fights didn’t stop. No, sir. Nick Marshall – Auburn Tigers Jerseys The rich Chickasaws switched to gamblin’ on their sharecropper and field hand fighters. They knew a poor man will do about anything for a chance to climb out of his misfortune. They’d throw a little money to the winners so they could feel better about using them so, but the fighters didn’t mean nothin’ to them. Barnfights were their recreation. They didn’t lose a bit of sleep over broken jaws, busted hands, or bruised ribs. The Chickasaws called the fighters Southern Gladiators and talked with admiration of how these men were fightin’ for a better life, but I think they just wanted to get the poor man’s hopes up with such talk and keep the gristmill turning so more fighters would come their way. I’ve watched many a man step in this gristmill, saw many a man make some money and win a woman’s eye, but I never saw one that could fight himself enough to get out of the fightin’ once he got the big head and started winning.

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  • I know about the barn fights because my son Phorbas was a barn fighter for a long time. cheap albion gold No one could whip him till ole Sol came along. That was a long time ago. I’m an old man now, but I still come to the fights. I can spot the old hands. The moment a fighter steps up to the scratch line and peels off his shirt and I see his scars and the way he carries himself, I can tell how tired, how drunk, and how scared he is. Most new fighters are rattled, unsettled by the blood and ruthlessness of it all. There’s a new fighter tonight, a big white boy, and I can tell he ain’t scared at all. When the boy’s face turned, I saw how his eyes were the same as a wild-eyed dog that you knew was bout to bite you. He’s one of the mean ones who are always fightin’ with something, even if it’s just himself. He weren’t drinkin’ like the others, just leaning against the post, arms crossed, with almost a bored look on his face. Just like Phorbas used to do. I reached in my overalls pocket for a wad of bills, thumbed through them, and decided to bet on him tonight. Directly, he looked me right in the eye, half-smiled, and nodded his head. Yes, sir, he and I knew this would be his night. Mr. Rainwater sponsors the barn fights now, just like Mr.

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  • Colbert used to do when Phorbas was on this earth. I saw him across the room collecting money, and I walked over to him. “How you doin’, Jacob?” he said. “I’s fine Mr. Rainwater, I’s fine.” “You bettin’ tonight?” he asked. “Yessuh, I’m goin’ to bet on that white boy yonder. Who is he?” I handed him fifty dollars. “Some boy from West Texas. And he’s an arrogant son of a bitch. You’re the only one bettin’ on him so far. If you win, you’ll win big.” “He reminds me of Phorbas years ago.” “That’s what I just said.” I looked at him. “Phorbas weren’t always that way, Mr. Rainwater. I made him that way, getting him started in these barn fights.” “Phorbas was a man who made his own choices, Jacob. We got to let them grow up on their own, even if they do make a mess of it. He was a good fighter—none better, till ole Sol rose up. He’s in the pen now.” “Who’s in the pen?” “Ole Sol. The law sent him down to Huntsville after he killed a man in a barn fight in Athens, Texas.” “Don’t bother me none that he’s in the pen. He should have gone to the pen for what he done to Phorbas.” I opened my pocketknife and cut a sliver from the Bull of the Woods tobacco plug and slipped it into my mouth. “That was a most unfortunate night, Jacob,” Mr. Rainwater said.

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  • “Yeah, Phorbas was a good fighter, till all his winning went to his head. He messed up when he started drinkin’ and livin’ hard like all these others here. Started thinkin’ no one could beat him. But there’s always someone who can whip you. Always is.” “Yes, suh. Always is.” Phorbas believed anybody could be whipped—anybody but him, but I should’ve told Phorbas that he was wrong, that there ain’t no mortal man who can’t be whipped somehow. I guess deep down, I didn’t want to believe no one could whip him, and he was making so much money that I sure didn’t want to discourage him none. That was over twenty years ago, when Phorbas had his first fight, but I remembered it well.

    * * *

    PHORBAS and me were plowing a new acre of land I’d won from my bets the last winter. One morning after our breakfast of leftover fried cornmeal mush and sorghum syrup, we walked down to the field. I put Phorbas to plowing while I snaked logs out of the field with our other mule. Phorbas righted the plow and got right to work. He weren’t no lazy boy. “Come on, jenny,” he said. He snapped the reins and the mule moved forward, and the iron blade he had filed the night before bit into the black bottomland dirt. Directly, the plowshare hung up on a stump root. “Hold, jenny,” Phorbas said. He lifted the plow handle, and I could see the blade was bent nearly straight back. After he laid the plow on its side, he pounded the blade with his grapefruit-sized fist until the metal bent back to its original shape. He righted the plow, jackhammered the point into the ground, and said, “Go on, mule,” and then went right back to work. “Lord, have mercy,” I said. “Phorbas!” Phorbas reined the mule to a stop and turned toward me. “Yessir?” “Stop working and get you a drank.” He walked over, and I handed him a dipper of water. I studied him a minute, picturing that big fist of his connecting to someone’s head and making us a passel of money. Phorbas was a big boy—nearly six-foot tall, with muscles like I never had. Asics Corrido damskie He could lift a 480 pound cotton bale by himself and pitch hay bales for ten hours on the hottest of days. I let him take a good drink, and then I said, “I’m mite proud of you, Phorbas, graduatin’ from high school and all. You learn anything from all those fights you’s always getting in at school?” “I learnt it’s best to not get hit yourself.” “You never lost a fight, did you?” “Not even close, daddy. Most of them I only had to hit once and they went down. Ain’t nobody round here to fight no more.” “A man can always find someone to fight. new balance 1400 invincible What if I was to enter you in a little boxin’ match so we could make a little money? Let you use up some of that extra nervous energy you got.” “I don’t know. Jordan Hydro 5 How much money you talking about?” “How much you making workin’ for me?” “I ain’t makin nothin’ workin’ for you.” “Be a whole lot more than that.” Phorbas grinned. “Shore. Making some money would be good for a change.” “You finish up the field. I got some business in town,” I said. “You get cleaned up a little. We might go back later.” “Yessir,” Phorbas said. “I ain’t been to town in a long time. Chandler Jones And you ain’t never took me in on a Saturday night.” Phorbas wiped his bare chest with the rag he had looped on the plow-pole. “Well, after tonight, you’ll know where I been going.” I took my mule to the barn, and walked down what we call Peanut Trail toward Kemp. When I reached Mr. Colbert’s store, I stepped inside and pulled an orange pop out of the icebox. new balance 577 napes sale I laid down a quarter for the pop. “Mr. Colbert, I want to talk to you about the fight tonight.” “Sure. You wanting to bet?” “Yessir, I got me a little money I can put down. I want to bet on a new fighter.” “Who’s that, Jacob? Who? Big John from Stillwater is the only new fighter I heared of.” “No, suh. I want to enter my boy Phorbas into this here contest. You reckon he can make some money at one of these fights?” “If he wins, he can walk out with a pocketful. But pshaw, Jacob. Phorbas, big and strong as he is, ain’t no barn-fighter. He ain’t ever been in a fight like this before. Barn fightin’s not at all like a schoolyard fight. Odds won’t be in his favor.” “Phorbas ain’t a schoolboy no more. I learnt that today. He’s ready.” I laid down fifty dollars. “I want to bet this on him. Phorbas is gonna win tonight.” I pushed the stack of bills toward Colbert. Colbert picked up the money, then shook his head. “You ain’t got enough money to be throwing it away like this, Jacob.” “I earned every cent of this money, and it’s mine to throw away if I’m a mind to.” “Alright. But I think this is about a hair-brained scheme as you ever come up with. And Phorbas is the one who’ll hurt over it.” “We’ll see you tonight,” I said. nike air huarache italia Phorbas and I ate a supper of cornbread, turnip greens, and purple-hull peas, then walked down the highway together. We had walked about a mile when I said, “Folks say there’s a black boy from Stillwater who calls hisself Big John. He be comin’ to the barn fights and bragging he cain’t be beaten. This afternoon I bet some money that you could whip him. This here’s a chance for you to make some good money. New Balance 577 damskie Those hands of yours are a gift from the Lord. You think you can handle this boy?” “I ain’t found no man yet I couldn’t whip.” We cut up the dirt road off the Kemp Highway that led up to Hebert’s farm. We walked behind his house to the barn where the fighters and the gamblers had gathered. Mr. Colbert was there, and he held a clipboard on which he had the fighters matched. When he saw us, he said, “Phorbas. You and Big John are the two newest fighters. You go first. Let’s see what you got, boy.” While the men in the barn were cheering and placing last minute bets, Big John slowly circled Phorbas. Big John’s hands moved continuously in a circular motion in front of him. Phorbas’ elbows were pressed against his body, the fists close, protective of his face. At first, Phorbas circled with him, but then he set himself, dropped his hands, and didn’t move at all,. When Big John moved in, Phorbas’ front hand snapped out and that big fist of his flattened that Stillwater boy. The crowd got real quiet, looking at Big John lying there on the floor, like they couldn’t hardly believe the fight was already over. Mr. Colbert nudged big John with his boot, then held up Phorbas’ arm. “Here’s the winner. Pay up gentlemen.” He pointed at me. “Give this boy’s money to his daddy there. Let’s get Big John out of here.” “What’s they going to do with Big John?” Phorbas asked. “They’ll put him out along the road somewhere,” I said. “What if’n he needs a doctor?” Phorbas said. “He can get to one tomorrow, I reckon. Ain’t our concern, Phorbas. That’s the way it is in the barn fights.” “What if’n a man was to die?” “Then they’d leave him in front of a funeral home. They got undertakers at the fights now and then. They be glad to get the business.” “A hurt or dead man shouldn’t be done like that, just throwed out like he weren’t no good.” “Ain’t no good way for a man to die, Phorbas,” I said. “But don’t you worry about it none. There ain’t no one in the county that can whip you.” Then I’ll be durned if Mr. Colbert didn’t do something strange. He pulled me aside and said, “ Tell Phorbas not to knockout a man so quick. Drag it out next time, play the crowd. Know who’s betting on him. He’ll make more money. Some of the men like to watch a spell before they bet.” Phorbas didn’t pal around with many, but he did have one white friend that he favored. Called himself Brandon. He was a strange sort of bird with wild hair like that Mr. Don King I saw once on Mr. Colbert’s television. Neither Brandon nor Phorbas had a regular job. Phorbas said there weren’t no need to wear himself out with shift-work at the Pillsbury plant when he could make enough money in one night of fighting to buy all the whiskey and women he wanted for a month. buy albion gold I wanted to make life easier for Phorbas when I got him into this fightin’, but looking back, I don’t think he was suited for it. Phorbas turned mean and kept getting into scraps with people in town who didn’t know about his fighting abilities. That temper and mouth of his got him put in the Bryan County caboose a few times and he was fined pretty heavy. Eventually, Phorbas got so wild I could hardly recognize my own boy. He got a notion to look like someone he called Jimmy Hendrix, so he let his hair bush out like Brandon’s. He said that once he retired from fighting, he wanted to learn to play guitar soon as he found someone who would teach him. Brandon helped Phorbas get ready for the fights by giving him water and wrapping his hands. Phorbas was mighty particular about his hands, so he never would fight bare-knuckled. Brandon would wrap each of Phorbas’s hands with some strips of soft leather, once around his knuckles, then a diagonal wrap across palm, then he would tape or tie it off. Brandon had told him that was how the ancient Greek fighters did it. Whilst they got ready, they talked about who Phorbas would fight that night. The last time I saw my boy fight, the night he fought ole Sol, I was sitting behind him and I heard them talking. “I ain’t looked at the roster. Who am I fighting tonight?” Phorbas asked Brandon. Brandon tore off a piece of tape with his teeth and wrapped it around the leather on Phorbas’s wrist. buy albion silver “You got one white boy,” Brandon said. “He looks burned out and I don’t think he will give you any trouble. He’s got too big a belly to be a boxer. albion gold And his shins are too thick, so he won’t be able to move round much. I think he’ll go down quick. The other one’s name is Sol. bns gold He’s a black boy who’s been winning fights over in Athens and Bonham. I’d shore watch him close. He’s near as big as you, Phorbas. That’s him over yonder.” Phorbas eyed the black man across the room. Sol had a woman in his lap and a bottle of beer in his hand. He locked eyes with Phorbas and hooted, “That’s it! Give me some of that padding. I mean to retire you out good. Yes sir, this is probably your last barn fight. They’ll find you in your car on the highway in the morning.” “Aw, Sol, I think he’s kinda cute,” the girl said. “You hear that, meathead?” Sol said. “My no-good sister thinks you’re cute. But my folks used to drop her on her head now and then, so I wouldn’t pay Diane here no mind.” “That high yellar is an arrogant son of a bitch, ain’t he, Phorbas?” Brandon said. “Why don’t you just fight bare knuckle tonight? Ain’t no reason to worry bout padding your blows on this man.” Phorbas pounded each fist twice into the palm of the opposite hand. “I ain’t worried bout protecting his face. Just don’t want to break my hand. If I break my hand, I can’t fight no more and can’t make no money.” Phorbas coughed. “You wheezing again?” Brandon said. “You better lay off those Kools.” “A few cigarettes ain’t gonna kill me. A man’s gotta have a few vices. I ain’t lost a fight yet, have I?” “No, and I don’t reckon you oughta start tonight neither. But I know you’re hungover, so you ain’t gonna be at a hundred percent tonight, and this boy from Athens might be trouble. I was listenin’ to some of the farmers. They’s thinkin’ your luck’s going to run out.” “Aint no luck to winning a fight,” Phorbas said as he stood and moved up to the scratch line. He and Sol eyed each other for a spell. Neither got in a real hurry, just circling each other, tapping out in the air, blowing once in a while like a deer that jumped out of a thicket. Ole Sol sure knew how to box, almost like he had been the one to invent the sport. A natural—fast, strong, and vicious—just like Phorbas was. He knew things that Phorbas didn’t. I lost a bunch of money that night. After the fight, two of Mr. buy albion gold Hebert’s friends helped me load Phorbas into my old Chrysler, and I drove him to Mr. Smith’s funeral home up in Achille. 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    “Welcome Home, Our Son”: A Song for Veterans on Memorial Day

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