I sometimes think that, if money were no object, a scholar could spend her entire career traveling from conference to conference. There are just so many opportunities for hearing and presenting work. I try to be selective, and sometimes when it comes down to it, I don’t really feel like going, but once I get there, I’m always glad that I did. The energy I gain from hearing smart, well-presented ideas and stimulating follow-up discussion is like nothing else. And, it often feels like a working vacation, with the opportunity to hole up in a nice hotel room and get some thinking and writing done, early in the morning or late in the evening. Being in Toronto this weekend for a conference on Mothering, Education, and Maternal Pedagogies gave me a chance to present some new work, renew and establish connections, and coalesce my thoughts about some upcoming writing projects. It feels great to be returning home with such renewed energy. Many thanks to Andrea O’Reilly and the Motherhood Initiative for Research and Community Involvement.

And, with trams AND a television tower, Toronto felt almost like Berlin.