I’m going to tell on myself: When scrubbing chicken poop off the outdoor furniture this morning, I thought, “I am better than her,” while playing a girlfriend’s behavior in my mind’s eye. You heard me right, chicken poop. That dang domesticated rooster is at the point he mosies in the front and back door likeContinue reading “Chicken Potty Pie”
Author Archives: Jaclynn Loibl
I’ll Be Your Huckleberry
“Past the firehouse, take a left, on a washed-out road go 200 yards, take right at the big flag, go up, down, and up again, then past where that forest fire was.” With blue-stained fingers, I type, letting you know my Dad’s directions to the huckleberry patch are far more interesting than any dumb GPS’s.Continue reading “I’ll Be Your Huckleberry”
Family Ties
I am exhausted! My cousin’s wedding was today and is still going on. We left early because my eyes are red and veiny, and if you saw them, you’d say, You should get some rest, or those must be some good drugs. But seriously, I have some meaningful, unique, and tear-jerking stories to share fromContinue reading “Family Ties”
Bye Bye Birdie
I’m utilizing the back screened-in porch at my parent-in-law’s. Or is it just in-laws? Sitting in this makeshift living room, fitted with a ceiling fan, outlets, live plants, and a well-loved wood floor, is a Pinterest-worthy writing location. But there are distractions. Like the family’s beagle, Rocky. He’s jumping up beside me, and when IContinue reading “Bye Bye Birdie”
Last Sleep ‘Til SeaTac
The sun shining off the ocean looks like flashes of paparazzi cameras at the Oscars. My family bobs up and down in its surf while I’ve taken refuge in an air-conditioned bedroom. Since I can’t lie to you, I’ll guiltily admit that I’m working. Like, for my job. I called a prospective client for aContinue reading “Last Sleep ‘Til SeaTac”
Hammerhead O’Clock
When the beachgoers next to us caught a shark, my plans for this post went out the window. I meant to delve into the imposter syndrome and all its sneaky lies, but that’ll have to wait for a less-newsworthy day. Since I was gutting fish before I could walk, you can bet I was interestedContinue reading “Hammerhead O’Clock”
Vacay Day Four
Like too wet watercolors, do you recall how the early covid days bled into one another? And how heavy the angst, isolation, and drumming of nails felt during that time? My writing is that way lately; even worse, my heart seems to be taking a break and watching from the sidelines. I’m sick. Yesterday IContinue reading “Vacay Day Four”
Future Self Exercise
Future Me: I was out in the garden when you called. What’s up?Present Me: There’s this writing exercise that I was supposed to do last week but didn’t. I’m on day three of vacation and had some time to talk to you.Future Me: Really? Cool! What’s it about?Present Me: It’s a ten-minute conversation. About whereContinue reading “Future Self Exercise”
Second Day Of Vacay
I have this semi-removed from reality kind of experience I’m trying to understand. It’s an internal retreat where I remove myself from you and the external world, and it seems to happen whenever I need protection. But, from what I’m observing, it’s gone a little haywire. Like how conspiracy theorists only see conspiracy theories. “WeContinue reading “Second Day Of Vacay”
Vacay Day One
I’m sitting in a warm, bathwater pool as a ch-ch-ch sprinkler sounds loudly as if from a megaphone. It’s likely an insect; they grow them loud and proud here in the armpit of the panhandle of Florida. My only job on vacation is to feed myself, I’ve decided, and since chicken salad, pita, carrots, andContinue reading “Vacay Day One”
Going On 40 