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”
Author Archives: Jaclynn Loibl
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”
Independent Day
I’m very much glued to the PulsePoint app on my phone. It’s a list and map of all the fire and rescue calls in my area. Currently, there are five active, including a vehicle fire, three medical emergencies, and a residential fire. Nine of the previous ten were all vegetation fires, one of which weContinue reading “Independent Day”
Bing Bang Boom
Sitting in dusk’s glow under our patio draping lights is heavenly. With sunshades propped atop my head like a fancy ribbon of a 50’s poodle skirt-wearing bopper, I ignore the calls for “Mom!” I want quiet and am off duty – whatever that means. Evelyn’s sliding a chair in beside me despite my warnings aboutContinue reading “Bing Bang Boom”
A Crazed Daze
Ideas are crumpled into wads of paper and tossed into the trash. The “it” factor, no one has. “Off with their head,” demands the Queen of Hearts. It smarts, the sting of goodbye. Then there’s the reward of hello. Like a circle chasing its tail, never to catch it, I drown. In a bowl ofContinue reading “A Crazed Daze”
Row, Row, Row
It was a lovely night for a clockwise paddle around Hidden Lake. A T-shirt would do, but the extra hoodie layer was a good choice, ensuring complete comfort. With full bellies from a nearby sushi restaurant, Dave and I took our oars, locked Archie inside the house (he’d run around the lake after us ifContinue reading “Row, Row, Row”
Going On 40 