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Jyl Barlow

Navigating life with inappropriate laughter and near-perfect hindsight.

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Category: Thoughts on Travel

Hiking the Mendenhall Glacier: A Questionable Adventure

Did I have any business hiking across a glacier in Alaska? Probably not. Did I live to tell about it? Mostly.

Jyl Barlow Thoughts from a Frazzled Bear, Thoughts on Travel Leave a comment June 22, 2026June 21, 2026 4 Minutes

Banana Ball: Six for Six

Banana Ball’s season may be short but for a super-fan, seeing every game just takes a little creativity and coordination. Oh, and maybe a few friends who will say “yes” to anything.

Jyl Barlow Thoughts from a Frazzled Bear, Thoughts on Mental Health, Thoughts on Travel Leave a comment June 8, 2026June 8, 2026 3 Minutes

Vacation Alert: Back to Alaska.

I'm off on another adventure! Want to follow along? I mean, why wouldn't you? Join me on the socials under Bearly Home Travel.

Jyl Barlow Thoughts from a Frazzled Bear, Thoughts on Travel Leave a comment June 1, 2026May 28, 2026 2 Minutes

Skin Scans, Schedule Chaos, & Travel Fails.

A week of chaos, ranging from expired passports, weekday graduations, skin scans, and no-contact children. Can I get an amen? No? How about a margarita?

Jyl Barlow Thoughts from a Frazzled Bear, Thoughts on Blended Families, Thoughts on Family, Thoughts on Travel Leave a comment April 20, 2026April 19, 2026 5 Minutes

Wave Season? Tsunami, Actually.

January's tsunami has not mixed well with a quiet morning, a cup of coffee within arm's reach, and a few hours dedicated to mapping out my Monday morning epiphany.

Jyl Barlow Thoughts from a Frazzled Bear, Thoughts on Being a Writer, Thoughts on Travel Leave a comment January 19, 2026January 19, 2026 1 Minute

An Unexpected Reminder of My “Why”.

In the land of travel planning, not every booking is a big one, but sometimes, the smallest booking of all is the one that offers the biggest reward. Sometimes, that means an early drive to the airport on a day that I'm not going anywhere at all.

Jyl Barlow Thoughts from a Frazzled Bear, Thoughts on Aging, Thoughts on Travel Leave a comment January 12, 2026January 12, 2026 4 Minutes

FORCED!!! Okay, Calm Down, People.

Forced?  Well, that’s a strong word. Mixed in with this week’s news salad of sabotaged escalators and songs from a showgirl was a variety of reports on the Serenade of the Seas–a story reported as a whisper on some news channels and a scream on others. The report that finally sent me over the railing … Continue reading FORCED!!! Okay, Calm Down, People. →

Jyl Barlow Thoughts on Travel Leave a comment October 6, 2025October 5, 2025 3 Minutes

Is This The Line?

It never fails, when I hear this, the devil on my shoulder goes into overdrive with snarky responses while the angel on the other gently places her hand over my mouth. 

Jyl Barlow Thoughts from a Frazzled Bear, Thoughts on Travel 1 Comment September 15, 2025September 14, 2025 3 Minutes

I’m Coming Back, Really.

Tomorrow, I will be a little sad to have this trip behind me... ...but... I do leave for a work-ish cruise in just ten days, so perhaps that will help.

Jyl Barlow Thoughts from a Frazzled Bear, Thoughts on Mental Health, Thoughts on Travel Leave a comment September 8, 2025August 26, 2025 2 Minutes

On the Hunt for a Lumberjack

In just a few hours, I will be off to Musher's Camp with tiny bits of beef jerky tucked into my pockets to ensure that the sled dogs like me best. Will I also bring a giant purse suitable for "borrowing" a puppy? That's not important.

Jyl Barlow Thoughts from a Frazzled Bear, Thoughts on Mental Health, Thoughts on Travel 1 Comment September 1, 2025August 26, 2025 2 Minutes

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Hi, Honey! is now available! Click here for a hard copy, here for Kindle, or here for additional ebook platforms.

Book cover for 'Hi, Honey! A Dementia Diary' featuring a woman in a floral swimsuit holding a snorkel mask, set against a nature background. The cover includes quotes and the author's name, JYL CJ BARLOW.
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When a Calendar Fail &  Lack of E.S.P. Collide.

When a Calendar Fail & Lack of E.S.P. Collide.

Look, it was my mistake, okay?

Still, having hope for my husband’s E.S.P. to come in is fine, as long as I consider that a very loose and unpredictable fallback plan.

by Jyl Barlow July 20, 2026July 19, 2026
The Price of Pets (is totally worth it)

The Price of Pets (is totally worth it)

“She brought an emotional support toy into the appointment.”

The price of pets? Worth it.

by Jyl Barlow July 6, 2026July 5, 2026

Hiking the Mendenhall Glacier: A Questionable Adventure

Did I have any business hiking across a glacier in Alaska?

Probably not.

Did I live to tell about it?

Mostly.

by Jyl Barlow June 22, 2026June 21, 2026
Banana Ball: Six for Six

Banana Ball: Six for Six

Banana Ball’s season may be short but for a super-fan, seeing every game just takes a little creativity and coordination.

Oh, and maybe a few friends who will say “yes” to anything.

by Jyl Barlow June 8, 2026June 8, 2026
Vacation Alert: Back to Alaska.

Vacation Alert: Back to Alaska.

I’m off on another adventure!

Want to follow along? I mean, why wouldn’t you? Join me on the socials under Bearly Home Travel.

by Jyl Barlow June 1, 2026May 28, 2026
Banana Ball (and all its Bliss)

Banana Ball (and all its Bliss)

Just when I thought all things wholesome had been extinct, I walked into a Banana Ball game and my faith in pure goodness was instantly restored. It was as unexpected as the midgame nod to Magic Mike courtesy of a slew of shirtless firemen dancing on the dugouts midway through the seventh inning.  If you…

by Jyl Barlow May 18, 2026May 18, 2026
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