private void gameRender()
	  {
	    if (dbImage == null){
	      dbImage = createImage(PWIDTH, PHEIGHT);
	      if (dbImage == null) {
	        System.out.println("dbImage is null");
	        return;
	      }
	      else
	        dbg = dbImage.getGraphics();
	    }

	    // a light blue background
	    dbg.setColor(lightBlue);
	    dbg.fillRect(0, 0, PWIDTH, PHEIGHT);

	    // draw the game elements: order is important
	    world.draw(dbg);  
	    /* WorldDisplay draws the game world: the tile floor, blocks, 
	       pickups, and the sprites. */

	    reportStats(dbg);

	    if (gameOver)
	      gameOverMessage(dbg);

	    if (showHelp)    // draw the help at the very front (if switched on)
	      dbg.drawImage(helpIm, (PWIDTH-helpIm.getWidth())/2, 
	                          (PHEIGHT-helpIm.getHeight())/2, null);
	  }  // end of gameRender()