Journal Entry #34–Just Wanted to Stop by to Say Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving! I just wanted to drop in and wish all of you a warm and safe celebration today, surrounded by family and friends. The past couple of days have been a bit hectic for my family while grappling with nasty colds and coughing fits, but I’m happy to report that we’re on the mend–and

Journal Entry #33-Weekend Sickness

This weekend has been a turbulent ride so far, given that several members of my family have colds–complete with sore throats, stuffy noses, and (for me) a low-grade fever. We’ve sought to get as much rest as possible, and once I’m feeling well again, I’ll be back to catch up with everyone here! I hope

Happy Coincidences (A Poem)

By Joyce Jacobo [Author’s Note: Based on a recent experience. Have you ever had those incidences where it felt like something was waiting just for you, or the universe had decided to do something nice for you?] We went to buy a new dryer because the last one had turned a cloth wedged in its

A Spirited Museum (A Poem)

By Joyce Jacobo [Author’s Note: Based on the Studio Ghibli Museum in Japan, a place that it would be wondrous to visit someday.] There exists an enchanted wonderland    deep within the city of Mitaka in Japan                   reached by the crossing of a boundary                       between city and forest                            to glimpse a massive

Poems on Simple Things (A poem)

By Joyce Jacobo [Author’s Note: Inspired by an dedicated to Emily Dickinson, who wrote so much poetry that her family apparently didn’t realize everything she had done until after she had passed away. It sounds as if, on inspecting her room, they became to find pieces here and there. Almost like a treasure hunt.] I

Journal Entry #26–I’m Getting a Violin!

I happened to come across a reasonably priced violin on Amazon recently. Having always admired the sweet songs that violins can create, and curious about trying out a stringed instrument, I placed an order for it. Then my family members learned about this move, and started rushing out to order things like beginning violin books

A Quick Visit to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

The San Diego Zoo is celebrating its 50th anniversary, which perhaps made it a fortuitous time to pay at least one of them a visit. While The San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park is larger and likely the better known, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park deep within Escondido holds its share of wonders. I

If I Could… (A Poem)

By Joyce Jacobo [Author’s Note: A lot has happened over the past couple of days with my family. I’m still kind of dealing with it, so that’s why I haven’t been quite as active on WordPress as usual.] If I could rearrange the stars in the heavens    into fanciful new constellations              just to

Recipe: Banana Bread

One of my favorite recipes since childhood comes from a Dutch cookbook, Eet Smakelijk, passed along through my mother’s side of the family. I’ve always found banana bread to be more than a sweet dessert–it makes a great snack after a long day hard at work, especially when combined with a nice glass of milk.

Coins From Heaven (A Poem)

By Joyce Jacobo [Author’s Note: I grew up hearing that whenever you found coins on the ground, it was a departed loved one trying to tell you something important, or to encourage you along during rough times.] I grew up with the belief that dropped pennies were messages                 of encouragement from my grandmother