Nora enjoyed learning about other cultures in art class. Last semester, the focus was on Australian Aborigine art in comparison to the artwork of South African tribes.
This semester, Mrs. Shaw was comparing and contrasting Native American tribal art to that of the Druids of Ireland.
As an adopted child from the Emerald Isle, Nora was excited for the opportunity to better understand her cultural roots. She loved her adopted parents fiercely; they were her Mother and Father in every way that mattered. Being adopted wasn't ever an issue between them. That didn't mean Nora wasn't innately curious about her biological roots, and she loved that Mrs. Shaw was using her heritage for a class learning experience. Likewise, she was drawn to Native American art history in a way that she hadn't expected.
From what she knew of the Druids, or Celtics as some liked to call them, theirs was a very spiritual existence that strived to live in harmony with nature. It was only logical then, Nora supposed, that she also enjoyed learning about Native American beliefs and practices.
It was almost eeiry how similar the two cultures were. Nora suspected that was why Mrs. Shaw was teaching them together this semester.
As mentioned in the hallway, Mrs. Shaw's lesson for the day was strangely related to Nora's problems. Perhaps it could even help her.
They were discussing the Native American art of dreamcatchers.
According to course reference material, (see below reference notes), Dreamcatchers are used as charms against nightmares. It was the tribe's children who were often gifted with these small treasures. Legend says that bad dreams can't reach those who sleep under a dreamcatcher. This is because anyone's nightmares would get caught in their dreamcatcher's webs.
Nora sighed thinking about this tradition. Something about it triggered unexplainable emotions upon her heart.
In any event, after Nora's recent experiences, she'd be willing to try anything to make her night- and daymeres stop. As luck would have it, Mrs. Shaw was somehow on the same wavelength.
"For your homework this week," Mrs. Shaw began while rolling a pen between her fingers. She was standing by the studio door watching the clock lest she run out of time before the period bell rang. "you are to make your own dreamcatchers. I want to see something both culturally traditional but reflective of your own creativity. It's due by week's end."
As she finished her sentence, the bell sounded and everyone raced to gather their things and leave as Mrs. Shaw opened her door. Nora was so flustered, for her caffeine high was crashing and she'd been lost in her own head again, that she found herself rushing to get packed up. By the time she got herself together, even Mrs. Shaw had gone.
Which is why, as she ran out into the empty hallway, Nora never saw Drexel and Utz before falling straight into their surprised arms.
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References:
*Bullock, C. (N.D.) Dreamcatcher Instructions. Web Search 6 June 2020. Website: https://wanderingbull.com/dreamcatcher-instructions/
*Bullock, C. (2019). Sinew for Crafting. The Wandering Bull, LLC. Web Search: 6 June 2020. Website: https://youtu.be/g5B233fvDEY
*Duggan, C. (2016). The Difference Between Real Animal Sinew and Imitation Sinew.
Wandering Bull, LLC. Web Search 6 June 2020. Website: https://wanderingbull.com/real-animal-sinew-vs-imitation-sinew/
*Chapter Photo Credit: Jaime Handley at https://www.unsplash.com
*Redish, L. and Lewis, O. Native Languages of the Americas. (1998-2019). Native American Dream Catchers. Web Search 4 June 2020. Website: http://www.native-languages.org/dreamcatchers.htm/
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Dreamcatching
Romance© 2020 & 2022 Written by A. E. F. All Rights Reserved. When you kill vampires, losing your memory can be fatal, especially when your blood attracks the dead. For a stand-alone short-story prequel, read "Blood Angel," (though it's not necessary for...
