Author Archives: Jaclynn Loibl

Life moves at a different rhythm in a town where a handshake seals deals and neighbors know you by your car’s honk. Seven months ago, our house contractor stopped by the Holy Pie Pizzeria to tell the owner—the town’s building inspector—that he was starting to build. Bypassing the regular permitting process, a short chat andContinue reading “Anchors Amidst the Chaos”

It’s one of those nights where I’m in my head. Second-guessing everything I do, tightness in my chest, and a slight void in my eyes. I’m here but not here; I feel sensitive even when mentioning it. But harder is pretending everything is okay when it’s not. Despite feeling optimistic about the house’s progress andContinue reading “Smile for the Camera”

“I can’t fall asleep with a pupper cut, pup-er, paper cut,” Evelyn blubbers out from the top bunk to Dave, whose height puts him at eye level with her. I’ve taken my turn at consoling, so Dave takes a hand to her back as I snuggle up below, not on the lower bunk but onContinue reading “Underwater Ballet”

The carpet has been laid. No, that’s not a euphemism; it’s a fact, Jack. For my final evening session, I lay my stomach on it, chin resting on my elbows, feeling the night-and-day difference from barren and rugged floor to soft and comfy. The master bathroom and the half bath remain mirrorless, and the kitchenContinue reading “The Brick Road”

Within me—my mind, body, thoughts—there’s this inner dialogue I’m observing. It’s an uncertain voice, timid even, and I question its role in my life. At times, I think it’s godlike, an omnipotent crystal ball. Other times, I wish I could banish it from me forever. And still, at different times, I think it’s a telepathicContinue reading “Just A Night”

It amazes me that I can hold up a Pinterest photo of a space and, like a sketch artist bringing a criminal’s face to life, the workers get my vision and bring it to reality. I can’t thank them enough for their care and attunement to our needs in building our house. Their talents andContinue reading “Spaghetti For Lunch”

In a search for a mantra to cope with the unsettled feeling that comes with home uprooting and transition, Dave reminded me of the poem “Desiderata.” He’s pointed it out to me before, and instantly, like a compass finding and bouncing towards North, I felt a sense of security at the suggestion. Before I pasteContinue reading “All is Well”

It’s 88 degrees here in the pool house, and sweaty 4-and-a-half-year-old Evelyn’s body isn’t registering the ridiculousness of her words when she cries, “It’s so cold in here.” It’s not. I’m hot; everyone’s hot, especially the heavy-panting Archie dog. A successful day in South Georgia was had by all. Finding a rhythm in the too-hotContinue reading “Weekend Wildflowering”

An Idahoan blogger was charged with defamation for a post she wrote and ordered to pay 1.1 million dollars. As a fellow blogger, you bet I scoured the news article with a lice comb, picking between the lines at each and every what-not-to-do. And what I found was pretty simple: Beware of your biases orContinue reading “Bias a New Life”

The well water is staining the brick behind and below the hose bib. The writing is on the wall, so to speak (such clever speak!) on how I should expect the shower, toilets, and sink to look. I’m told there’s such a thing as a water softener, but that’s above my pay grade for theContinue reading “Well, Well, Well”