"We are all wanderers on this earth...our hearts are full of wonder, and our souls are deep with dreams." ~ Gypsy proverb

Friday, January 13, 2012

Up close and random

I have been reminded again why I blog. Yes, for self expression and because I enjoy writing. But there's more––because I am pushed creatively...and because I am inspired by other bloggers to do more, learn more, say more, feel more, offer more, and be more. I blog because if I am feeling like crap you get it. And if I'm feeling joyful, you get that too. So what began as a form of self expression gradually evolved into creative inspiration and soulful connections, available to me whenever I need it. For this, I thank you, and for all the kind words you share.

Random: For the past few nights, we've been playing outside and going riding, when it's dark, with only a few street lights, with no one else outside. Yep, me, the hubs, the kids, we grab our bike, scooter, ripstick, skateboard, whatever and we take a spin around the neighborhood and on the bike trail. Something happens to all of us when we play at night, it's the strangest thing... a wild side emerges, your senses sharpen, exhilaration grows, like a secret between you, the moon and the stars. The kids LOVE it. The night brings mystery and eeriness, but when your parents are with you, it turns into excitement and thrill. I do recommend trying it, of course in a place where you feel safe, and of course if your children are up for it.

Random: And because we have over 2400 miles of road ahead of us in March, I've been hunting for new (to me) music for the roadtrip. Here's a couple I've found:




And this: Folks by Thao & Mirah on Grooveshark

and if you liked that one, check out "Little Cup" and the rest of Thao and Mirah's album.

Random:
I'm linking with Bella today at 52 Photos Project for {Get in really close}. You know I love macro. Join us will you?

Wishing you a weekend of marvel with a pinch of risk, a dash of mystery and an armful of boldness
xoxo

33 comments:

  1. Ohhhhhh! I vividly remember playing outside after dark on a summer evening with my cousins and feeling exhilarated! You are so right. What great memories you're making with your kids. I love this.

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  2. Thank you for the new music MJ, I always get stuck in a rut so it's nice to listen to something new.

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  3. oh i LOVE to hoot around after dark with the fam! alas, i’ll have to wait for summer or freeze our faces off! we actually do go ‘hooting’ too....a fun colorado thing to look forward to....and it involves a very late night hike into the mountains to hoot up owls. it works and they swoop all around and the sound of their rushing wings is other worldly. AND OMG that video is AWESOME!!!! thanks for that so much!

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  4. Your random is my salvation today. The Gotye song is one of my favorites and never thought it could be covered. IT CAN! Also the Thao and Mirah song took to a place I needed to go this morning.
    "So what began as a form of self expression gradually evolved into creative inspiration and soulful connections, available to me whenever I need it. For this, I thank you, and for all the kind words you share" - I know JUST what you mean!

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  5. I know what you mean about blogging. I'm always wondering what I'm trying to say and what is this all about. I thinki for me the answer is self expression and creativity. So glad that we each have our own and we all put ourselves out there too share and connect.

    Your evenings look lovely. I'm craving those for this weekend we will be snuggled up because it will be cold cold cold.

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  6. what a fun thing to do! i love it, you are such an adorable mama. and thank you for sharing the music, love it too.
    good to see you are having so much fun with the macro lens. i don't use one too often, but always enjoy it when i do!
    i hope you have a wonderful weekend.
    xox

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  7. i can only say i am glad that you blog and that our blogroads crossed : )
    what fun you must have with you family in the evenings... sounds really exciting !!!
    sometimes we use to go skiing in the evenings, with lights on our heads, its fun that too, but i`m always a bit scared we are going to meet a moose ...
    i suppose you don`t have that kind of problem in Florida ; D

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  8. oh--what a great post. i've been wanting to do some outside nighttime play (we do bonfires occasionally), and this may just be the motivation i need! also, love your header shot--do tell about these keys!

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    1. the keys I had found in an antique shop last year. I love old keys and was trying to think of a way to display them. I ended up hanging them on a mobile we made last year and put up in our back patio. One day I will make a better one, perhaps into wind chimes like a friend Emily suggested the other day :).
      xo

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  9. MJ your description of your wanderings around the neighbourhood with your family at night really awakened something in me... the senses do heighten and sharpen in the dark - creating a different connection. Such beautiful imagery I get from reading this - thank you.
    And this version of 'someone that i used to know' is fantastic. Since discovering it i have a reason to play that song twice a day.
    Really lovely meeting you MJ

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  10. Thank you for your sweet wishes. I love the idea of playing at night. There is something magical and fun about it!
    Happy weekend my friend!

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  11. I love the photos, love your blog and the reasons you blog, and am crazy about the idea of riding around outside together after dark. Wonderful, all of it! I'm also thrilled to see that Thao Nguyen and Mirah collaborated!? I am so disconnected from the version of myself that was somewhat on top of new music, but I have been trying to make time for it as it really feeds my soul ... this makes me happy :)

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  12. Something about nighttime that is more exciting! I know your children will have very fond memories of this activity. Beautiful shells!

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  13. Beautiful photos. No shadows here--white skies, deep snow but it is pretty in its way.

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  14. holy cow, that is an incredible video!
    love it.
    i love finding new music.

    and i love the night bike ride idea.
    but I don't know. I still run like crazy to the house after putting out the trash can at night. I don't care what my adult logic tells me. I can sense the monster. :)

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    1. LOL, I just love the image you put in my head!!

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  15. MJ - that is awesome we were born in the same hospital almost exactly 1 year apart - I left there with my mother not long before you were born - my parents were there for a couple of years prior though - they had a jeep & my mom was snorkeling w me in her belly & came across an eel(the bad kind)- she got out of the way, but it wasn't happy she was there :) I was born August 1971 (no wonder we are wonder luster adventurers) :) I'm a "Christian Hippy at heart" I know your beliefs are a lil different than mine- but we have very similar hearts/ spirits - What's your parents last names? Mine are Mack and Laura Parker- daddy was a medic in the Air Force - wonder if our parents knew each other? It wasn't THAT big a place back then

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    1. Kelli, you and I were born 2 months apart! I was born in June of the same year!!

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  16. btw - I used to ride at night through wekiva w my family all the time (do you know where that is?) fabulous bike trails- that's where I grew up

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  17. What a great post MJ. I love "view" into you little family scooting around the neighborhood. It's such fun to just let go a bit and have fun with the kids! Hope your weekend is divine!

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  18. I totally understand the need to blog: what started out as a 'should' for me has become a community and a mutual support system...it constantly blows my mind in the best way.
    I love reading what you have to say :)
    xo,
    Allison

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  19. It has been years since I have gone bike riding at night, but I certainly haven't forgotten the wonderful rush that goes with it. Sadly, where we live, there isn't anywhere suitable to go bike riding with kids. The roads are way too steep and there are little to no roadside verges. Enjoy your moonlight rides! I love the version of Somebody That I used to know. It is way better than the version I have heard. Thanks. Jacinta x

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  20. your adventures of bike riding at night time sound like so much fun!
    its summer here, and the sun doesn't set until around 9-9:30pm, the kids are fast asleep by then (actually, i almost am too!) but we have been making the most of the late sun!
    Love the cover of Somebody that i used to know, thanks for sharing.
    kylie

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  21. That is so cool that you go out at night with your family - when my kids were young, I used to take them and their friends on midnight hikes under the full moon. Our senses are heightened outdoors at night, and there is also a feeling of vulnerability that leads to a different quality of communication and bonding.

    Thanks for rekindling those memories for me. :)

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  22. There definitely is something so thrilling about riding bikes at night - we recently went to a nighttime bike ride birthday party and it was wonderful and magical being out in the cool air on the bike trail with nothing around but your friends, the trees and the moon.

    xo
    cortnie

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  23. I love blogging because, as you say, I'm pushed creatively. I'm pushed to explain my life in words in pictures and I'm graced with wonderful words and breathtaking images just like yours...
    I just love biking at night. It makes me miss Summer.

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  24. I love all your random reflections and thoughts. I know you better each time.

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  25. I love all your random reflections and thoughts. I know you better each time.

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  26. Beautiful photos! Fun times at night, woohoo! Too cold up here for night time adventures, that is January. Love the music choices. Hope that you have a calm transition from FL to CO. xoxo

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  27. these are all the same reasons why i blog. also, i am in the process of moving my posts from my old blog to my new one and reading over the past three years of my life is amazing. i am so glad i have a record of it.

    i am also glad that this process has brought your beautiful words and spirit to me :-)

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  28. MJ, this is a beautiful post...you are always expressing so many thoughts on my own heart. Thank you.

    If you haven't checked out Innocence Mission yet, they are a great traveling music when you need some quieter, calm time. (Or when the kids need to be sleeping in the back of the car!)

    I am so excited for all of these changes you have ahead...sending love and blessings!

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“Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”
~ George Bernard Shaw