Jaclynn Loibl

Rooted in Hope

I feel helpless. The largest, most majestic oak tree—the same one we only two days ago hung a swing from—its leaves are dying. Is it the fungal disease Google says the tree could recover from? Or is it something worse, something fatal? I can’t believe how attached I am to that giant. Its branches stretchContinue reading “Rooted in Hope”

Day Off

All day spent with friends and family. Lots of crazy fun. No time to write. Love Jaclynn

Drake Be Dreaming

I’m ever so slightly regretting taking my hummingbird obsession from three to five feeders on the front porch. It’s a job, y’all. Truly. I’m cooking up a batch of the good stuff every other day, and my granulated sugar output now requires two oversized bags in the pantry—front line, ready for deployment. I’ve thought aboutContinue reading “Drake Be Dreaming”

The Houseguest Hustle

I wrapped Dave into creating TikTok content with me. Poor guy. The ask? High-pitched voice, with a lovely accent of a royal queen. After learning about “content gaps,” seeing needs for cute moths, and knowing I have video and pictures to share, I remembered Dave’s voice. Specifically, all the times he’s been complimented for theContinue reading “The Houseguest Hustle”

Guess Who’ Coming To Dinner

I want to monetize TikTok. Wouldn’t it be cool to post videos of your day-to-day life and get paid—for just doing stuff? That’s what I’m after. Earlier, I pulled five blackened bananas from the freezer and shot a quick video of myself walking into the kitchen to talk about the two loaves of banana breadContinue reading “Guess Who’ Coming To Dinner”

Live and Let Die

“Smack it,” Emma tells Evelyn, pointing at a spider crawling a little too close to their dollhouse. “Emma,” Evelyn replies, suddenly stern, as if she’s slipped into a parental role. “We do not kill live creatures around here. You may not.” She’s right, you know. We don’t. Although, I’ve reconsidered—ever since I saw a videoContinue reading “Live and Let Die”

Flashing That Lil’ Behind

I did another TikTok video. This time I talked about Dave’s awesomeness—and how to recognize marriage material when you see it. He showed up to our relationship with a steam cleaner, knew how to cook, and empties the dishwasher every morning. I don’t ask. He just does it. Meanwhile, I once thought the guy livingContinue reading “Flashing That Lil’ Behind”

My Front Porch Looking In

I’m good behind a computer. It’s safe here. Comfortable. The written word is a fortress that feels impenetrable.Not so on TikTok. Earlier today, I filmed a one-minute video of my front porch and what will soon be a pollinator garden. I’ve talked about it a bit here, but what I haven’t mentioned is that theContinue reading “My Front Porch Looking In”

Makin’ Trauma Our Bitch

Not everyone can wiggle their hips in a way that defies gravity when it comes to hula hooping. It takes desire, practice, failing, and trying again. As a kid, I watched a hula hoop competition and told myself I’d beat the top time—maybe not that day, but in my own backyard, barefoot in freshly cutContinue reading “Makin’ Trauma Our Bitch”

Is That a Lot?

To have no concept—of time, of money—it’s a magical state. I can barely remember it myself. Like Marty McFly’s family photo: still there, but fading fast. “I got a gumball. It was twenty-five dollars,” Evelyn said, dead serious. “Twenty-five dollars?” I asked. She’d just returned from the bank’s gumball machine—the holy grail for a five-year-old—updatingContinue reading “Is That a Lot?”