My life feels reminiscent of the time I ran a half marathon with sciatic pain. Even if it meant hobbling right up to the finish line, there was no way I was training for months and not racing through Epcot for the Star Wars-themed race. Like back then, I know I must keep going, evenContinue reading “A Moving Marathon”
Author Archives: Jaclynn Loibl
Sweatin’ to the Oldies
How many sentences did I start and not finish, deleting the idea in search of a better one? It’s that kind of day. All work, no play, keep it moving. I’m at my limit. The endless decisions to keep or eliminate things in the moving process are on their final leg. And at this stage,Continue reading “Sweatin’ to the Oldies”
A Clean Slate
There’s a thousand-mile stare as I imagine mowing the chickweed before settling in to write. With the weeds being far too long and the electric mower not yet packed, I could do the soon-to-be owners a favor. I’m pleased by the feel and look of a new set of pajamas with vibrant orange peaches againstContinue reading “A Clean Slate”
Raw as Rain
I feel like I’m at capacity—a sponge starting to drip from oversaturation. Since sharing the letter from my mom, friends and family have opened up about her, telling me things I didn’t know. Her best friend Laurie messaged me, “She was smart, funny, inquisitive, she saw through people.” At the time of my Mom’s death,Continue reading “Raw as Rain”
Holy Family Krain Cemetery
I used to live relatively close to a private Catholic cemetery. It was so close that the bus picked me up and dropped me off there during my elementary years. There was a point when I imagined going on a road trip solely to visit cemeteries, but for whatever reason, it didn’t get any traction.Continue reading “Holy Family Krain Cemetery”
A Speck of Magic
When emptying my mom’s hope chest of random blankets and doilies, I found a sealed letter. On the front, it stated, “To Steve”—my dad’s name. A sealed letter from my Mom, who’s been dead for 26 years. How in the heely hay could a sealed letter from her exist? When I opened it, the firstContinue reading “A Speck of Magic”
What’s Hiding in Horsethief Lake (Book Part 24)
Previous The Boy Scout on steroids leans his khaki-colored, wide-brimmed hat out the window. Since I’m over this line of cars waiting in a tourist trap, I don’t readily hand over my credit card but ask, “How close can I get to the faces?” “Usually, you can go up there,” he points to a spotContinue reading “What’s Hiding in Horsethief Lake (Book Part 24)”
Night Owls
Eighteen days. Or in Evelyn’s words, sleeps. Eighteen sleeps until the road trip and bee-bop across the country time. Our UHaul pods arrived today! The drop-off guy clarified that we lucked out getting the metal instead of wood crate ones. After packing fifteen boxes, a dresser, a trunk, and a cabinet into the first podContinue reading “Night Owls”
A Broken Promise (Book Part 23)
Previous A too-warm tent and Harley’s revving wake me. I’m groggy but rested and pull out my phone. 7:00 AM. All at once, the night whooshes in—the texts I didn’t reply to, and Jason. I halfway expect a motionless camp, but as I unzip a small section, I see and wave to two of theContinue reading “A Broken Promise (Book Part 23)”
A Force
There’s a tsunami of power rising within. Its surge rips up 100-year-old roots and flicks them to the side with her pinky. I’m riding it, solidly footed, hollering, “Is this the best you got?” Riding the wave of upheaval while diving headfirst into the belly of the beast means owning discomfort. It means moving forwardContinue reading “A Force”
Going On 40 