I have so many tabs open in my browser at the moment that I literally can't see what any of them say. I wish people would stop linking to such interesting articles!
Here's what it looks like:

Crazy, eh? (It's Rockmelt, a new browser that integrates social media sites into the sidebars of the browser, built on Chrome. I like it pretty much, have been using it for a few months. Still not sure how much I love it.)
But there are some amazing and important gems in my tabs...of DOOM, so let me share a few of the articles that have struck me in the last week or two:
First, this is the most important thing I've read in ages. It's an online presentation about art, creativity, being who you are, becoming who you are by virtue of what you create. It's fantastic, and every person who cares about being authentically you should read this. The rest of you imposters should keep moving along.
Which reminds me about this set of links on the Impostor Syndrome I read this week. You should read it, too.You are not an impostor.
And then there's this stuff about being a stay at home mom that I open in my browser and desperately want to reply to but don't really have the time. This is *important* work, being the at-home parent. Very important work. It's very often and very easily marginalized, though, in part by well-meaning hard-working parents who work outside of the home. Please understand I know each role has significant value, having played each role at many different times in the last 10 years. But being at home is *important.* It is *valuable.* It is *worthwhile work.* Those who choose, or by circumstances or life situations get forced into, this path need support, encouragement, and respect.
A friend linked to this awesome bit about Harry Potter, and honestly I can't get enough. HP Deathly Hallows Part 1 comes out on DVD soon!
Have I linked to this one before? Doing silly public art? I'm dying to do this with my children, maybe now that the weather is starting to improve. Or at least suck less. I love people who treat art with whimsy and view making others smile as an important way to spend their time. I do, too.
I'm sure you've seen some of the awesome articles about iPads and children with developmental delays, disabilities, and other limitations. I'm amazed at this tool that DIDN'T EXIST JUST 14 MONTHS AGO. Ponder that for a second. I already couldn't live without mine and I've only had it since Christmas.
We introverts are getting props so much more in the Age of the Internet. It's about damn time. Hey - I'm not socially awkward (except when I am) or antisocial (except when I've spent all day with PEOPLE) -- I'm just an introvert. I need some downtime. Computer time = downtime for me, even though it's also become one of my primary social interaction methods (asynchronous = ideal for people w/busy lives. Which I have. Which explains my extremely sporadic blog posting schedule.)
The posts I'm reading from teachers responding to the various crises in state legislatures that are bringing their profession into light are heartbreaking. My teacher friends are among my most important, most inteligent, most treasured for the way they see my children as people, whether they've ever "officially" taught my children or not.
This site is almost as good as Mila's Daydreams, (book next Jan, sign up for her mailing list!) In the first linked site, a Korean artist takes children's drawings and recreates them in scenes. The prince/princess on the stairs are absolutely magical.
An online author friend is trying out the epublishing thing. Like the rest of us. ;)
This site makes a great point about what carrying a baby does for them (hint: gives them things to look at/experience/interact with in the world. More people wanted to talk to me and my baby when I carried them than at any other time!)
My friend Melanie mentions a Once Upon a Time challenge in her blog that sounds really interesting...
One of my other imaginary friends (funny that so far each "friend" I've mentioned here is someone I know from online interactions only. Isn't that interesting? Remember that bit about introverts!? speaking of which - another article...) linked to a fascinating grant-giving organization called Saving Lives at Birth: The Grand Challenge for Development. My friends in the birthing and mother advocacy worlds might be interested.
Another imaginary friend (who I have actually met in person) has posted about the difference between delegating and abdicating control. This is something that is really familiar to me from the business world, but it's surprising to me in the recent discussions I have been watching on the state of the publishing industry how quick some authors are willing to abdicate complete control over their intellectual property - the words they bled and sweated over for ages. Scary. She doesn't do comments on her posts due to other commitments, but I love comments on my blog posts, so feel free to read and debate away, I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Closing, you really need to listen to Sarah Kay talk about If I Should Have a Daughter. It's important.