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Winnie hadn't yet gotten her paws on. Using only two unlikely tools, a circular saw and a hand drill with a circular sanding attachment, he craft- ed these beautifully rustic chessmen. The material came from an elderly neighbor. "He saw how much Winnie loved it," Karrer says. "A former hunter, he took some trophy antlers off his garage wall and gave them to me, saying, 'Let her chew. They're just sitting there collecting dust.' Antler is expensive." With this new supply in hand, he got to work. This set is by no means an exact replica of the Lewis Chessmen, rather a takeoff on the original. Karrer has kept himself busy since he retired. He's an accomplished writer, having published several books, including, "The Baby Flight," an account about the impor tation of Korean orphans to the US for adoption. Another is the humorous and lighthearted "101 Dinosaur Dos and Don'ts" in collaboration with illustrator Harry Briggs. "Right now, my main thing is writing," Karrer says. He's published pieces on the Voices of Monterey Bay website, The New York Post, The San Francisco Chronicle Magazine, Education Week and has penned a column for The Salinas Californian. He's contributed 14 stories to the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. "I presently have seven manuscripts in the works, mostly nonfic- tion," Karrer says. In Steven King's "Misery," each time the pro- tagonist Paul Sheldon finishes a book, he treats himself to one Lucky Strike cigarette and a bot- tle of Dom Perignon champagne. Each time Karrer sells a story, he rewards himself with the purchase of a vintage military hat or helmet. The collection holds a place of honor in his living room bookcase. The chess set Karrer created gets a bit of use but for obvious reasons, it must be kept out of Winnie's sight. There's no doubt that if she got a hold of these pieces, they would be reduced to crumbs in no time. Karrer created his chessmen in his workshop using two basic tools: a circular saw and a hand drill. The antler was supplied by a neighbor. These rustic pieces made by Karrer were inspired by the Lewis Chessmen, ancient pieces carved from walrus tusks, discovered in Scotland circa 1830. 132 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 2 1