“I made a mess, Mom. You want me to make more a mess?” My sprite of a toddler is cocked, loaded and ready to fire. So I say, “Sure!” Then, through the air fly a string of toy cars, dolls, and puzzle pieces. It’s not about the mess. I repeat. It’s not about the mess.Continue reading “Start A Riot”
Author Archives: Jaclynn Loibl
Grow, Damn It!
Sad, Grinch-like barren trees line the approach to our house; someone before us buzz-cut their tops so they’re stunted. I don’t want stunt, I want growth! The latest decision is what type of privacy hedge to get. I say let’s dig up, enrich the area with nutrient-rich soil, and plop a few Wax Myrtles orContinue reading “Grow, Damn It!”
Rah, Rah, Sis Boom Bah
What if you could set yourself up for success continuously? How would you go about doing it? After a tough-on-myself past week, I’ve had space to sand down my rougher edges and be with myself as affectionately as if I were a friend. We’re all strutting our stuff around here today – the drake’s correctedContinue reading “Rah, Rah, Sis Boom Bah”
A Committee Is Formed
I didn’t know the five strangers at our dining room table before today. In listening to their concerns and passion – similar to mine – for the issues impacting our community, I felt empowered, supported, and ready to take on the world. Never before has what we’re doing been done, so it’s a really goodContinue reading “A Committee Is Formed”
Be Nice
Brown spots on your lawn? Want to enrich your grass? Not to worry! That’s nothing a little Listerine, Pepsi, and Budweiser can’t solve for you! Looking up a DIY lawn fertilizer, I was surprised to find the recipe called for 1 can of not-diet soda, 1 can beer, 1/2 cup dish soap, 1/2 cup ammonia,Continue reading “Be Nice”
Baby One More Time
I’m not a fan of time; that clock on the wall’s just a ticking time bomb. Today when a friend was an hour late to a zoo play date, I about lost my shit, but I also recall when I was in Costa Rica, where time is que sera sera; if a person wasn’t atContinue reading “Baby One More Time”
Mirror Mirror
Forehead wrinkles wink non-stop at me in the mirror, but I don’t think they’re cute. The aging process has been doing its thing for years, but recently, it’s boring its initials in me. How often am I looking at myself anyway? After a 10-minute face lotion, makeup, and brushing my hair routine, this thought calmed me.Continue reading “Mirror Mirror”
A Sunny Day: A Writing Exercise
Get outside. Find a nice place to sit in a comfy lawn chair or grass, and take a minute with your surroundings. Really breathe it in. What does the sun feel like on your skin? What does the breeze taste like? What colors do you see, and what sounds remind you that the world isContinue reading “A Sunny Day: A Writing Exercise”
Action, Action, We Want Action
Dave Matthews Band’s “Crush” swirls its chill, head-bopping vibe in the room. An email notification slides at the top right of my computer screen, and I scan it and catch its drift. Another homeowner is able and willing to join the committee my husband Dave is spearheading to protect the waterways that run into theContinue reading “Action, Action, We Want Action”
Enough Already
Why does every post need to be perfect and award-winning worthy? I feel compelled to highlight everything I’ve written and delete it. I wish my bar could be right-sized instead of never attainable-sized. My fear cares most about another person’s perception of me; is the way I think acceptable to them? My fear wants meContinue reading “Enough Already”
Going On 40 