My nephew (here) accuses me of being the "Oracle" because I am aware of "coincidences" and make more of them than I should. In short, an example would be riding in a van from the airport in San Diego, CA and surprisingly find that another passenger on the van was someone I had drawn in Wytheville, Virginia, in an alpaca barn. Another was being in the right place, at the right time to rescue a terrified small dog on the run. A chance meeting that turns into an answered prayer...you know small world stuff...most of it has no significance, some is just weird, but occasionally I wonder if these happen as it were, by divine appointment.

I created a brochure comp and needed a generic photo of a guy to fill in for what will be my clients portrait, at first I used a photo of my husband, but then decided I needed to find a picture of someone that was in a business suit (he never wears suits in pictures), so I jumped onto the millions of google images and found the perfect shot for a temporary fill in...Less than 24 hours later while picking up my local newspapers off the couch - I saw an ad for a local retirement community, and there staring at me was the same man...different picture casually dressed..

Most likely a model who was a major player in stock photography, which would increase the chances of that happening... nothing deep, no spiritual lesson, just a "coincidence". My nephew claims I have more of these "coincidences" than other people. I think that they do happen to everyone else, they are just smart enough to keep their mouth shut to avoid being taken for a nut! I kind of enjoy the curiosity and amusement of the moment and don't take it seriously - most of the time...

When the house directly across the street, identical in layout, came up for sale just when my sister needed a place for herself and three small children after a sad divorce, I mused that God had just made it possible for me to be closer to my niece and nephews - and over the next three years I was able to share with them many everyday moments, reading before bedtime, the first big snow, car washes....

Then Kim was tragically was killed in an auto accident, it suddenly seemed as if the fall had been cushioned by our proximity to each other... it made the transition easier for the kids as they could still come home to my house after school, until their Dad picked them up after work. Just a coincidence, her living next door, but it seemed to have God's purpose written all over it. Perhaps it was a God incident...

It is comforting to believe, the alternative would be to believe in randomness, which has no personality, or intent, and certainly isn't a Someone to share and anticipate an abundant and curiously coincidental life with.

Peter Pencil was looking over my shoulder...

July 4 was a big day for me with a gig at Poplar Jefferson Forest: http://www.poplarforest.org/ Did you know Thomas Jefferson died on July 4?

Born: April 13, 1743; Died: July 04, 1826

If you haven't pondered what our heritage has blessed us with recently, plan that trip to walk the acres, and view the panoramic vistas that Thomas Jefferson's own eyes looked on.

While I do not consider myself to be in step with our current presidents' aspirations (or angst) of "what will my legacy be" learning about history makes me wonder if what I produce will have an impact on people after I'm gone. I was honored to be able to draw under a shade tree, not just as entertainment, but to have it relevant the historical and educational mission of Poplar Forest. To justify the the budget item of having an artist draw big heads with little bodies of the guests, it was only right to have a historical reason connected to Thomas Jefferson. And happy surprise! I have Peter Pencil (or Pencill, depending on which cartoon you are looking at) and Cruikshank to thank for this. They left their marks, literally, on history by having a negative opinion about Jefferson ie: the embargo against Britain imposed during his presidency. There are only 5 Cartoons/caricatures that we know of - the first pokes of the satirical illustrators pen at an american president. I'm grateful for their opinions. They ensured that there would be an invitation for this humble Virginia caricature artist to be part of the celebration - 200 years later - on a picture perfect day on July 4, 2009 at Jefferson Poplar Forest. The minutemen fifed, drummed and marched. I drew - Big heads, little bodies and had a job. Thank You Peter Pencil, (and Diane Kinney! )