Author Archives: Jaclynn Loibl

Sitting in the children’s section at the Centerville library, I watch Evelyn watch two sisters play. They’re making food—cutting a pancake, a chicken drumstick, and an over-easy egg. Evelyn’s brow furrows as she watches the younger one step away to rummage through a nearby bin for more plastic food. As she passes Evelyn, who remainsContinue reading “Want to Be My Friend?”

It sounds like the banging of a marching band—the bass of it, the lowness. Rhythmic and ominous. Then comes the breeze, equally teasing. A light warm-up. A few jumping jacks. You keep swimming, acting as if there’s nothing to see, until— That big rumble. No mistaking it. A low growl that pops off suddenly, likeContinue reading “Hopping To Be Happy”

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”

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

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”

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”

“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”

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”