Author Archives: Jaclynn Loibl

I’m in a hurry and write mood. It’s pedal to the metal (not medal, Jaclynn) so I can slink into bed for sleep. Another boom. Although five days ahead of the 4th, the fireworks go off once every fifteen to thirty minutes. The booms are most likely M-80 firecrackers. With our windows open to coolContinue reading “Memory Lane Trippin’”

“I made you something, Laura,” 4-and-a-half-year-old Evelyn said to my friend of 35 years. “You did?!” Laura replied, eyes widened in surprise. “I made you my friend,” Evelyn said. Kids are magic. Pure magic. It’s been a long and wonderful day. We received three gifts: napkins shaped of Washington state and its cities, a mushroomContinue reading “Hello, Goodbye”

With our departure date looming, I committed to establishing an itinerary. My goal was to have it finished by this weekend’s end. However, once I started I couldn’t stop. Ok, so what if I came in three days ahead of my self-imposed deadline? To start, I’m glad the all night drive idea gotkaboshed. Lovely isContinue reading “A Plan is Made”

Reading a kids’ book to Evelyn led me to search for a photo of these round, car-sized bales of hay I took a picture of in Montana. Unfortunately, I don’t have them and will need to see if my friend Kristen does, but that’s not the point. The point is I don’t like myself. ScanningContinue reading “House of Toothpicks”

I have the largest monstera in the world. In my world anyway. Its leaves reach out like claws, claws as big as a sabertooth tiger’s, outwards. If it weren’t for our upcoming move, I’d be propping a crutch under its drooping arm for support. Instead of in the corner of the bedroom, I moved itContinue reading “Grateful Guidance”

Once upon a time, I bought a bed at the Washington State Fair. A very expensive bed. One that made me duck my head under my armpit like an ostrich when signing go ahead to the final invoice price. My strategy had actually been to not buy it and to bail after pretending to useContinue reading “The Mattress Debacle”

I’m compelled to show up and say, “I’m sorry.” For existing. There’s a quicksand foundation in the place where tethers once stood. The core feeling I get from you, you neglect. So I cower to avoid the side glances and mocking tones, forced to accept the no-win. I say, “Not okay,” with the gusto ofContinue reading “Laughing at Danger”

I’m in a stream-of-consciousness mood. The dishwasher’s running, two chanterelle mushroom night lights glow a dark yellow, and all is nighttime. The pain in my upper chest worries me, but not enough to do anything about. I worry it’s a clogged artery, but I’m not even sure if that’s where an artery is or ifContinue reading “The Dog in Me”