Dave’s sudden about-face caused the light from his phone to flash directly into my eyes. He took a step toward me and said, “There’s bats in there.” Not knowing how many bats or how big they were sent my inner Tinkerbells doing backflips midair. I retreated just as he had. A moment later, a single,Continue reading “Holy Dehydration, Batman!”
Author Archives: Jaclynn Loibl
The Fellowship of the Flippers
“Uh oh, when did that happen?” Dave said, sliding open the door to our Airbnb. The orange-and-white cat we’d seen lurking earlier was sprawled luxuriously on its left side, now at home. I had been so worried it would slink away before I grabbed my phone for a picture—but clearly, I had underestimated its commitmentContinue reading “The Fellowship of the Flippers”
No Butts, No Nuts, No Coconuts
If that glazed knot of a crispy delight wasn’t good enough, the fortune cookie manufacturers went and jammed a strip of paper with nice words and lucky numbers inside. This Chinese afterthought came to mind while snorkeling in the turquoise waters of Mangel Halto. Through peek-a-boo places under rocks and coral, I spied orange, sunset-coloredContinue reading “No Butts, No Nuts, No Coconuts”
The Aruba Breeze
Don’t come to Aruba, we’re full — that’s what I read between the lines when Marie, our Airbnb host, drove Dave and me fifteen minutes down Spaans Lagoenweg road to one of her favorite Peruvian restaurants. On the way, she pointed to the left side of the road, where brown, dead mangroves stretched together forContinue reading “The Aruba Breeze”
Sleepless in Georgia
Having brushed my teeth and readied myself for bed, Dave asked, “Have you blogged yet?”The abrupt shift from my peaceful descent into sleep was a jam in the gears. “No,” I bleated, reluctantly. The alarm is set for 1:45 a.m. A 45-minute drive to the car drop-off and shuttle should put us at Hartsfield-Jackson AtlantaContinue reading “Sleepless in Georgia”
Cheddar Off Dead
For the first time today, I went to another homeschool co-op mom’s house and couldn’t help but be a know-it-all plant person. “Ooh, Alyssum,” I said, sticking my nose within an inch of the teensy white flowers whose scent punches way above their weight. When Joyce gestured at some thick green leaves and said, “IContinue reading “Cheddar Off Dead”
The Sound of Silence
Another day draws to a close—a busy one that sighs itself away—as I pop a squat on the window seat in my bedroom. The sun hovers just above the tree line, readying for its descent, about to drape our home in shadows. There’s a quiet reprieve in spying my shepherd’s hook in the field, hungContinue reading “The Sound of Silence”
Crisis of Confidence
I’m having a crisis of confidence, but I’m not allowing it. Maybe daily discipline feels a tad excessive when all I want is a break.A question drifts unanswered: A break from what?It echoes through the soft meadows of my mind. From the twisted, topsy-turvy knots of thought.From answers that are both yes and no,with noContinue reading “Crisis of Confidence”
Spirit in the Sky
On Facebook Marketplace, I thread the needle. It’s the art of lowballing unapologetically, with a “don’t shoot the messenger” white flag waving in the breeze. I’ve already told you—people overvalue what they have. Which means my undervaluing it doesn’t exactly set the tone for a graceful first move on the dance floor. Their inevitable “HowContinue reading “Spirit in the Sky”
Pieces of Me
I’m reading The Wizard of Oz in Spanish. As I turn the pages, the Technicolor version of the movie plays in my head—but the book throws in new scenes and backstories that make it feel like I’ve landed in the land of Munchkins and witches all over again. One part that really stood out wasContinue reading “Pieces of Me”
Going On 40 