Observations & Questions

This past week has been a roller-coaster ride with never-ending run-away stomach-flopping downhill sections without any slow uphill climbs of temporary relief before the next terrifying descent. To be clear, I have never been on an actual roller-coaster, but I have a vivid enough imagination to know that there are multiple reasons why. My inclination for motion sickness is just one.

Unfortunately, the nausea-inducing, heart-stopping 24-hour news cycle since Monday is an excellent replication and is sadly our new normal. Thus, my perpetual unease and bafflement ensue, and persistent questions arise.
Starting with all the whys:

• Why isn't kindness, compassion, and empathy the starting point for every interaction and every decision?
  
• Why are some more concerned that folks are cheating the system - are "illegal" or "didn't earn it" than they are about human rights, advancement, and progress for all?
  
• Why does something (an idea, way of life, or personal choice) that has zero effect on someone else’s life induce loathing for another individual or group of people enough to obliterate and invalidate their rights?
  
• And especially at this point in our history, why do greed and hate determine our economic, scientific advancement, climate, and human rights policies?
  
  

Now, continuing to what can I (we) do in the face of such monstrous and odious evil:

• Show up with love, respect, and compassion - every damn time. Slay 'em with kindness.
  
• Remember, our youth are always watching and learning - show them that the "helpers" are everywhere.  
  
• When you encounter it, call out hate and discrimination in all of its forms. There is an abundance of issues we can not "agree to disagree" on - especially, anything that is a fundamental human right. But while confronting - always be kind. "Honey catches more flies than vinegar." (Be like the Right Rev. Mariann Budde) Remember - our children are watching.
  
• However, resist argument - it bears repeating human rights are not debatable. No matter how hard you try - you can't change a closed mind.
  
• Support those who are being targeted in any way you can.
  
• Be informed - seek out the facts (double and triple check) from reliable sources, not - rumors, known places of misinformation, or innuendo - before you share them. 
  
• Understand, though appearances are to the contrary - this is not politics. It is simply a means to an end to separate and divide the population to further their vicious agenda.
  
• Therefore, using political jargon will not get us out of this situation - it will only create more divisiveness and reason to hate. Instead, focus purely on the pertinent details.
  
• If you have skills that are valuable in the resistance to harmful policies, consider sharing them.
  
• Rest and take care of yourself. This will be a long, hard slog - but I have faith that we will come out the other side of the resistance with a greater understanding of how love, respect, and kindness can absolutely change the world. And I know that with our guidance and support children will be on the leading edge of that transformation.
  
  

DRC News

Yay! We remembered to take a few more photos this week. Thanks to Jaclyn for capturing some cool moments. We had plenty of inside adventures - apparently it was mostly too cold for even our hard-core kiddos to play outside. We did have a few moments of sledding in the front yard and a small group went to the SUNY Canton hill for a few quick runs on Fri. We happily welcomed a new member to the crew on Thurs. Welcome JM!

The Pop-ups Peeps had fun at the Nicandri Nature Center on Wednesday and the Massena Library on Thursday. Thanks to both for hosting us. BH captured some photos from the trails on Wed.

This coming week the Pop-ups meeting days will shift a bit because of scheduling conflicts. Thursday they will be at the Massena Library as usual but the Norwood Library will move to Friday.