This past week was a bit of a blur - time just keeps speeding up...

The Pop-up Crew had a great time at the Massena Library & the Nicandri Nature Center.

A huge thank you to the SLU Women’s Lax team for coming out for Make a Difference Day and spending their Saturday morning cleaning, organizing, raking, and lifting & hauling.

Freedom and responsibility, to some folks, may feel like polar opposites; however, they are inextricably linked when you live in society or are a part of a community.

Yes, you have the freedom to make choices that are best for you, but within your personal decisions, you also have a responsibility to the whole. Bound by that, your personally held beliefs are yours. Your choices can be based on those convictions; however, you cannot force them or the repercussions on anyone else. It is the very definition of society.

At DRC, we trust each student member with tons of freedom. They are each in charge of their education and, with our mentoring support, get to decide what that looks like. Nevertheless, we also hold them accountable for how their decisions may affect others.

In this diverse environment, we are all reminded daily of how our personalities, needs, wants, and behaviors can bump up against others, and are fodder for conversation when they become a point of conflict, uncomfortable, or unsafe for others.

Oftentimes, all it takes is a quick reminder or a few moments in a quiet place to reset and regulate. Other times, when harmful choices are set on repeat, and dysregulation is the default mode, it involves creating firm (non-punitive) boundaries that, at first glance, may seem restrictive within this environment where freedom is innate - but in the long run, are vital pieces we have put in place to model and teach accountability, collaboration, respect, and kindness.

Freedom, responsibility, and diversity of individuals can coexist when given equal importance and nurtured with loving boundaries. And when everyone is celebrated for who they are and what they bring to the group.

It was a wild energy week full of kitchen and art adventures at DRC Canton. Oh, and we discovered via our porch cam that we have a fairly regular "stinky" visitor. Hopefully, he restricts his visits to nighttime and early, early morning.

The DRC Pop-ups met at the Massena and Norwood Libraries this past week.

Thanks again to the Potsdam Food Co-op for inviting us to collaborate at their Open House last weekend. We had a great time watching kids get creative. We look forward to future opportunities to team up.

This past week, it felt like my only luck would be bad luck. Two things hit, one right after another. The first was learning that someone had been viciously, maliciously, and spitefully cruel with potential repercussions. It felt like a gut punch upon discovery.

The second incident was actually physical. I dislocated my shoulder for the sixth time while lying in bed and reaching for my earbuds from the stand. Yes, it's that easy now — just like a fun 3-D puzzle. Unfortunately, my arm and shoulder muscles seize up, making it harder to put back in. Thankfully, the ER doctor was very experienced in the manipulation that does not require sedation.

On Thursday morning, I woke up anticipating the third thing - the feeling of impending doom was visceral. You all know the cardinal rule: "Bad things happen in threes."

Then I gave myself a stern talking-to, asking - "What if I anticipated three good things instead?" After this many years on earth, I know, without a doubt, that whatever energy I send out will be returned in spades.

I know the Universe can distribute the shitty stuff - but She also delivers the excellent and awe-inspiring, too. And to be clear, I also greatly appreciate all of the 'just' OK stuff - as long as it comes with no drama or sensationalism.

With that insight, Thursday and Friday at DRC were exceedingly pleasant. We had a great time connecting with each other, building relationships, sharing our interests, working quietly on independent academics, creating art, playing outside, and cooking delicious food. Some of us even sorted and organized the toys and the overflowing closet in the Seedlings Room. Also, just to update you, my shoulder is fine (when you dislocate it this many times it is pretty much 'business as usual' with very little pain) - the challenge is keeping it in place.

Here's to all the good stuff coming our (your) way - with the understanding that bad shit does happen -  it just doesn't need to be predestined or expected because of some age-old superstition (sorry, Great Grandma). 

Thank you to the Potsdam Food Co-op for inviting DRC to collaborate this weekend (both Saturday and Sunday from 11 - 2) during their annual Open House. We have pumpkins and gourds for kids to decorate, as well as a table full of arts and crafts supplies for kids of all ages to imagine and create to their heart's content. If you missed us Saturday - come on out and meet me and Janine there today.

The Co-op has also graciously offered to help us fundraise during this two-day event.

Photos this week from DRC-Canton & the Pop-ups

The Pop-up Crew had a great time at the Massena Library & the Nicandri Nature Center this past week. They even met a few reptilian friends.

You will find two fresh designs from a new series in the DRC Printify shop. We will be retiring a few designs over the next month including "Digby of DRC" & "I read the DRC Blog." If you have been waiting to get them - better buy them now - they will be gone by the New Year.

Yesterday was a gorgeous autumn day for our Fall Craft Fair and Family Fun Event. Between vendor fees, the raffle featuring items donated by the vendors, and general donations, we raised $438.00, which directly benefits all of our student members. The DRC Staff & Board would like to offer the following thanks.

Thank you to the thirteen vendors who participated; we are grateful for their support and patience. They committed earlier this summer and then had to endure a rescheduling due to the storm in August.

Thanks to Norwood Village for hosting. The village park provided a perfect venue for our event, and thanks to the firemen who brought tables down the stairs from the municipal building.

The Deep Root Center families who helped cart, carry, set up, run our welcome tent, and clean up are appreciated beyond measure. They are amazing and deeply appreciated!

Thanks to the multi-talented Janine, our DRC Pop-up Mentor, for facilitating all the arts and crafts adventures.

Shouts of gratitude to our fabulous musicians, Galaxy Hitchhiker (AKA Mike Corse) and DRC's own Christopher Raymo, who provided a lively backdrop of sound all day long.

Thank you to Nature's Storehouse, The Potsdam Food Co-op, the Massena Public Library, and the Canton Free Library for letting us borrow your canopy tents. Fortunately, we didn't need them to stay dry - but we were grateful to have some shade from the bright sun.

And finally, a huge thank you to all of the community members from all over St. Lawrence County who came out in support of DRC to enjoy the beautiful day with us. We thoroughly appreciated meeting you and watching your children play and create art. The winners of the raffle items will be contacted tomorrow (Monday).

We look forward to planning our next craft fair & family fun event and the opportunity to connect. Stay tuned for the details!