The Motherlode of Linkety Dinkety Doos

I'm in the manic mode before a big road trip, half paying attention to the to-do list and half operating from the whirl of priorities in my head. I am on my way to Toronto, where I'll be attending and presenting at the Association of Research on Mothering's tenth anniversary conference, The Motherlode: A Complete Celebration of Mothering.

If I stop for a moment and breathe (and I mean, really breathe), I am thrilled. So thrilled that I can barely discuss all the details. I get this same way when I see Shawn Colvin on stage or Oprah's on creating family heirlooms or something I am uncontrollably passionate about. I get so wrapped up in my excitement, I have to change the channel for a moment or close my eyes. It is the same over-stim Lil E got the first time I placed the the brightly-colored caterpillar in front of him during tummy time: No, no, I love it too much!

I'm talking  mommy blogging as a part of the Mothering & Community Activism workshop, a session that speaks to the Sharpie and poster board hording part of my core being.  That enthralled/intimidation over-stimulation swelled when I read through the list of researchers, writers, academics, performers, artists, students and keynote speakers who will share the time in analyzing, advocating for and empowering mothers and motherhood. In my new feature, Linkety Dinkety Doo, I'm sharing a few of my faves who I will be stalking for autographs like I did as a dorky fifteen year old who eyed a hammered John Cusack while sliding up to the bar at Harry Caray's  unabashadly applauding asking to coffee honored to hear or meet or maybe (goddesses help me) both. 

I will report back from inside The Motherlode. Until then, get out your highlighters and Red Bull, crank up the Ani and get to obsessing reading. You won't be sorry. These women - and the many good works they are doing for women - is amazing.

These are just a few of the esteemed women presenting at ARM's The Motherlode this week:

*Judith
Stadtman Tucker from Mothers Movement Online is a woman whose work you’ll want to
read. She has incredible political insight and is an empowering force in
motherhood advocacy. The MMO's e-newsletter is a must-read in my inbox (even before those hil.fucking.arious Maxine cartoon forwards. You do know I'm joking, right? I always read Maxine first thing.).

* Literary
Mama’s Andrea Buchanan will be speaking in several sessions. Buchanan’s work seems to be everywhere and it is
worth snagging for yourself. You might know her from Mother Shock or
Mother Talk.
And you've probably have one of her books on your nightstand. My favorites are It’s
A Boy: Women Writers On Raising Sons
and Literary Mama: Reading for the Maternally Inclined.

* Beth
Osnes, co-founder of Mothers Acting Up,
who wrote a passionate book on spirituality and early motherhood,
two areas of living that speak straight to my own heart.

* Ann
Crittendon, who skillfully weaves economics and motherhood into fascinating
reads.

* Hope
Edelman, who delivered an incredibly engaging keynote at ARM’s Grandmothers
and Grandmothering conference. The landmark researcher on women who have lost
their mothers and later, “motherless mothers” is author of four poignant books
and many articles on motherhood. If you haven’t already, read her work. She has insights that I think serve all mothers.

I'm off, just for now, just to get back to packing six potential outfits and dreaming of dill pickle potato chips just across the Canadian border. Until the Toronto conference correspondence, ta-ta!