In our newsroom, we call it the Spokane Vortex. It occurs when someone from the Inland Northwest is involved with a national or international news event. Or someone is related to someone in Spokane in coincidences beyond explanation.

Recently, I discovered some Spokane Vortex in history. In my Voice story today, I talked about discovering photos of two women (now deceased) who I'd written about May 27. I found photos of Eva Hardin and Ada Schaefer -- career women in an era when that was uncommon -- in albums once owned by Keo King LaVell, who belongs to a family who left us a collection of historic photos and memorabilia. And the next day, a man called me to tell me he'd just found one of Keo's paintings, from 1908, in a garage sale.

For some reason, it was comforting to see all these coincidences, though all the people involved have been  dead for many decades now. It was almost like they were reaching out of history to remind me how we are all so connected, in so many amazing ways.

Thanks Eva, Ada and Keo. You made my busy week a joy.

(Photo of Keo King LaVell painting courtesy of Ted Bidon)

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