Jaclynn Loibl

October Summer

I sense I’m in a write-a-page-of-content and delete-everything kind of mood. I feel spread thin and tired and need time for dumb movies and tv shows. Maybe I should do just that; Not every day can be a home run writing day. I’m ok with that. Love, Jaclynn

Two Games In One

The second FaceTime of the night (am I that parent?) to Evelyn involved showing her the Seattle Kraken’s band playing Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” outside the Climate Pledge Arena. Appearing to eat chicken nuggets, she cutely bobbed her head back and forth to the beat. Dave and I are having an impromptu evening out; thanksContinue reading “Two Games In One”

Visualize Whirled Peas

Momentarily donning my Halloween costume of a brown frilly tank top, billowing at-the-ankle pants, beaded headdress, and golden peace symbol at my neck transported me to the spirit of the ’60s. So much so that when the lyric “Fuck the man” from an Iron and Wine song came on, my only thought was to giveContinue reading “Visualize Whirled Peas”

She’s Going The Distance

I’m back from a 40-minute in-between session walk through construction zones and sleepy rural areas. Two white-haired women, one sitting on her bum legs out like a child playing with their toys, worked in her garden, whereas another held her phone up and took directions from YouTube to spray paint two pieces of furniture anContinue reading “She’s Going The Distance”

Ramblin’ Whoa Man

“Do you think I’m a good fit for you as a counselor?” I’m proud that I brought up my concern with a client earlier and the resulting enlightening and productive conversation that followed. Where I once dreaded the “you’re not a good fit” feedback, I now embrace it. So much so that if I feelContinue reading “Ramblin’ Whoa Man”

Here Kitty Kitty

Have you ever unintentionally stumbled upon a nugget of gold? How about in the way of a misdelivery from the good ol’ Mr. Postman? At first sight, “Backwoods Home Magazine” was a joke, with its second-largest font stating “The Potato Issue” and other titles of “Making Fertilizer” and “Butchering Beef” did little to stir anythingContinue reading “Here Kitty Kitty”

Walking Into Spiderwebs

The limp fishing lines of spider webs with their weighty beads of dew are welcoming fall in like enthusiastic Walmart greeters. As the wind whips leaves free, I lay in the hammock swinging, wondering how I can communicate the depth of my love for this season. Evelyn’s 35-lb body is limp on mine. At theContinue reading “Walking Into Spiderwebs”

The Juice

I had a visitor arrive at our cabin, my cousin, who’s being smoked out of her house due to wildfire pollution. I didn’t have time to write; therefore, the writing exercise I did earlier will have to suffice. Time stops on June 17, 1994. “Girls, get in here.” The authoritative tone shivers me to dropContinue reading “The Juice”

Break A Leg

It is a blur, but I can make out the curvature of its face, the light, and dark of its body, how it swoops smoothly and lowly, and its massive and oblong shape. An owl, I realize. Dave and I see it amidst playing pretend with Evelyn using a stick for an oar and a roundContinue reading “Break A Leg”

Old Man

Every night it seems, when I start writing, there’s this frosting layer of depressed emotion I have to wade through to find words. Is it resistance? Is it my actual state of being? Its wall-like presence intimidates me like one of those weeping angels from Dr. Who. I wish I didn’t have this old codgerContinue reading “Old Man”