Author Archives: Jaclynn Loibl

Do you ever find your body pulling you in one direction while your mind tugs you in another? I often wrestle with conflicting desires: one part of me wanted my phone when writing tonight, while the other insisted, “No distractions, just you and the blank page.” Even as I settled in, with one knee drawnContinue reading “Sorting Out the Mental Maze”

Throughout the day, a thousand tasks from my never-ending to-do list invade my thoughts with persistent reminder notifications. While keeping the peace and minimizing my workload are my top priorities, these pesky intrusions feel like groundhogs on an otherwise carefree, kayak-riding Saturday. I’ll tackle the shrub planting, client rescheduling, deck rail staining, and the otherContinue reading “The Creative Warrior”

I’m savoring a pickle slice in the parking lot of an AM/PM. It’s a leftover from the delicious three-meat meal I enjoyed with Kristen at Botto’s, a fantastic BBQ spot in Portland. The macaroni and cheese with penne noodles and garlicky, cheesy goodness was like a decadent pasta dish. With two hours to go untilContinue reading “VNV Nation in Portland”

Bright and early, I’m about to be whisked away, just like Cinderella in her magical carriage, only, in reality, it will be my friend Kristen driving her red Honda Accord. Our destination: the enchanting land of Portland. You see, her favorite band is playing there, and though I can’t quite recall why we didn’t optContinue reading “A Tale of Two Cities”

“You can come up here if you want,” I urge, but the sideways c-curve of his ear upturns subtly, showing interest but not full belief. So I soprano my voice at the word towards the end of the sentence, “Do you want?” And he’s up, jumping his 80-pound, 7-year-old frame, rising like a gentle cloud.Continue reading “Space Invaders”

Is it unusual to feel a sense of excitement when untangling someone’s trauma story? Maybe not, but what if it helps me unravel the knots in my own life? As I reflect on the year 2012, I see a younger version of myself, brimming with dreams and taking a break from reality. I had leftContinue reading “How to Accept the Delusional Self”

Do you recall the days when they used to draw lottery balls from that wiry cage on live TV in the evenings? Or was that just a local PNW thing? Regardless, that’s how my thoughts seem to bounce around in my mind while I’m out here pressure washing. It’s like a mental lottery, and today,Continue reading “Flea Wars: A Heroic Battle Plan”

I enjoy my role as a writer. I relish the way writing tunes me into my environment, as I dial in the words to express what I see. Like the constant procession of coastal clouds, marching northward at a brisk pace, almost as if they’re saying, “You got to move it, move it.” Some cloudsContinue reading “It’s All About the Nookie”

Like the bony fingers of a piano-playing skeleton, a spider skillfully orchestrated its web with precise pulls and tie-offs. The intricate sequence, as masterful as a Bach concerto, held me captivated during my all-too-brief respite on our back patio. A ladybug, with its twitchy black legs, raced to the top of my finger before unfurlingContinue reading “Tangled in Time”