Rabies

Raoul’s Two Cents: June 13, 2025

Caricature of Souls

This week I volunteered to do caricatures for our church Summer Bible Studies. Kids from all over the neighborhood flocked in for a fun time. I was stationed where the parents waited for their kids and I got to meet and draw new faces. Oh, the things you learn about people.

When I had people sitting in front of me for their caricatures, our brief 10 minute conversations opened up to amazing stories. Drawing caricatures is like peeking into someone’s life through a warped lens. I exaggerate a nose or a grin, but what I really capture is their story.

An exuberant Dad said he took off from his regular schedule to be there for his kids. He is on his 2nd year working solo — transporting crude oil from the oil pumps scattered in Southern California. His thumb was in a cast because he sprained it pulling on the hoses to his truck. It’s hard work but he enjoys working for himself. He’s ambitious and is already getting a second truck.

An excitable Mom is a property manager. We had a lot in common. She doesn’t know how she wound up in that business but she’s organized and juggles vendors and renters … and 4 kids.

A husband is into construction while the wife takes care of 4 kids. They’re so busy but one day they’d like to go back to church.

A woman from Taiwan barely spoke English and we communicated partly with sign language. I had a speech impediment because I’m partly deaf now. She’s here selling high-end chips. I could tell she wanted to share so much in the 5 minutes I needed to draw her. Few people probably give her the time because of the language barrier.

A single Mom has 2 young adorable kids. Her husband died in a motorcycle accident just before Covid. She said she survived because of the support she got from church. I’ve seen her in church but I would never have guessed she was going through a lot.

An elderly gentleman had just retired from IBM in Silicon Valley and moved to this area to be closer to his grand kids. He trained big businesses to adapt to IBM’s AI technology. Now he’s adjusting to his new season of life. I invited him to our Sunday School to meet other techies.

A jolly lawyer with two adopted babies in each arm shared his struggles. He left a law firm to stand on his own. His success fluctuates. I gave him marketing tips. I could tell he was tired. He has 2 other kids — all from the same (may I say it?) irresponsible mother. The babies were hyper but all smiles and I’m sure they give him joy.

I drew an Asian teenager playing his favorite baseball. After it was done, he accepted the drawing neither happy nor sad. Puzzled by his non-reaction I saw him sit back in his Mom’s table where he went back pouring through a stack of school books. I understood.

My pen and ink caricatures break the ice between strangers. I give them a mirror from my vantage and they bless me with their hidden stories — each stroke reveals joy, sadness, or both—life’s messy truth, scribbled in ink.

TGIF people!

p.s.
Happy Father’s Day Dads of the world! Mothers, it’s their turn now.

“Sometimes in your life you will go on a journey. It will be the longest journey you have ever taken. It is the journey to find yourself.” — Katherine Sharp

“I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I intended to be.” — Douglas Adams

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” — Jeremiah 29:11

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, California

Original art by Raoul Pascual.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Frank of Modesto, California

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

Thanks to Boris of Washington, DC

Thanks to Tim of Anaheim, CA

Thanks to Norm of Encino, CA

Thanks to Agnes of Washington, DC

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Thanks to Colleen of Washington State

I found these:

My good friend (and jokester) Terry and I came up with these.

Got any good jokes? Come share it with rest of us!

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