52 Weeks #17

Here we are at the end of April and piece #17 of the 52 WEEKS PROJECT and still going strong...so far.  Did you know that the killer whale or orca is closely related to the dolphin family?  And that this guy, because he has a dorsal fin, is definitely a guy...females don't have them...and that they are social?  I remember learning these things as a child when we first glimpsed them on travels to the west coast but forgot along the way, especially since their proclivity to stalk and prey seems to refute any idea of a close knit community. 

I think people are the same, even if someone is grouchy on the outside, I do believe they need to feel part of the community, too.  When I work evenings at the library, I often chat with an elderly gentleman that comes across as quite abrupt and even angry, and yet, over time as we've come to know each other a bit, he now makes a point of coming in to see me.  And he even smiles. 

It's that old adage, you need to walk a mile in someone else's shoes, I guess.  Someone met me for the first time a couple of years ago while I was undergoing tests and treatment and found me to be rather difficult and we've recently connected again with much more positive results, thankfully.  Though I tried hard to be positive at that time, I know I was stressed.  And I'm glad I had another opportunity to connect, a better and happier one.

The killer whale is known as a traveler and guardian and is also believed to be the water wolf.  There is a myth which shares that killer whale will provide whatever is required to one who needs it.

PS I wove the red mat in the first photo when I was 12...I still love it but wonder why I chose red as blue was always my favorite colour...