Author Archives: Jaclynn Loibl

I dared to dream a dream—a dream of sledding, tubing, and making snow angels. It felt like a distant fantasy, but a quick search on Google revealed something unexpected. Ober Mountain Ski Resort, nestled in the ancient Great Smoky Mountains, was just a mere 5-hour drive away. The “smoke” I once assumed was the grayContinue reading “Snow Much Fun”

I’m all in for gross things—like experiencing the orgasmic sensation that comes with the volcanic-like surfacing of deep-rooted cysts and blackheads, or the moment when metal pinchers, under a microscopic lens, pry away the flaky, sticky earwax, like a lollipop that a kid licked and left out on the counter. I fell into a paragraphContinue reading “Callous for Concern”

Pressing my fingerprint on my laptop’s upper-right button unlocks it. I was surprised it worked, considering my fingers still feel snake-like after crafting. But here I am, waiting for the six-inch sticks superglued into a star shape to dry. Once they’re ready, we’ll tether the star to our homemade branch tree. Fairy lights and miniContinue reading “Virtual PNWing”

In bed, Dave’s on my left. Just below me on the floor is Evelyn, snuggled in her unicorn sleeping bag with an attached pillow—her head resting on its horn and muzzle. “I wanted a better life for you,” I think as I watch her flip through the pages of a book. We just returned fromContinue reading “A Long Winter’s Nap”

My mind is a whirlwind of details and logistics right now. Tomorrow is Christmas with the compound, Christmas Eve will be via Zoom with my family, and Christmas Day at our house with Dave’s family. Three different celebrations, three times the planning. Cue my neuroses. I spy a toy ball, a duster, and stocking-shaped cookieContinue reading “Xmas Eve Squared”

On our drive to find Dave two new pairs of jeans, Evelyn’s soft voice traveled to my ear from the backseat. “I love you, Mama.” I turned to her, smiling. “You do?” Without missing a beat, she continued, “Do you know why I say ‘I love you’ so much?” My mind immediately went to theContinue reading “Aunt Flo’s Visit”

Have you ever told yourself you were done for the day—done eating, done scrolling, done with anything—and then went back on it? That was me today. I had committed to finishing my eating window, proud of the progress I’ve made with intermittent fasting, only to find myself eating a smoothie and fish sticks hours later.Continue reading “Progress Not Perfection”

I’m tempted to give myself the night off from writing. I’ve been doing so well, right? Showing up here, sharing fun stories, painting vivid pictures, and getting a little vulnerable too. My goal isn’t to be a taskmaster to myself, but I also don’t want to hand out exemption cards like they’re Skittles. Mmm, Skittles.Continue reading “The Bare Minimum”

“Did you forget something?” Evelyn’s cocked head tilted at me like a dog hearing the word walk. It made me think—did I? But before I could answer, she chimed in with that irresistible, kid-perfect voice, the kind you wish you could bottle, put in a locket, and wear around your neck for whenever you needContinue reading “Did You Forget Something?”

I had a fun evening with four other women for dinner and soap-making get-together. Truly, it was lovely. After enjoying an amazing chicken and orzo soup—a Pioneer Woman recipe—I’m inspired to make it myself. And soap, too! Though gloves and eyewear were necessary (mixing the powdery lye into lukewarm water bumped the temperature up toContinue reading “Scrub a Dub Dub”