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Jyl Barlow

Navigating life with inappropriate laughter and near-perfect hindsight.

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Unpacking my Suitcase, Urn included.

“Did you bring your mom?” “Yes! She's right here!”  I said as I pulled a tiny urn from my pocket for all to see. ALL. All six-hundred attendees of the Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop. All who giggled and clapped as I held up the Tiny Traveling Urn that brought me to the Dayton stage.

Jyl Barlow Thoughts from a Frazzled Bear, Thoughts on Being a Writer Leave a comment April 6, 2026April 6, 2026 6 Minutes

The Year in Review

In 2024, you read nearly 60,000 words delivered directly from my brain to your devices. That's a lot of words. I cannot thank you enough.

Jyl Barlow Thoughts from a Frazzled Bear, Thoughts on Being a Writer, Thoughts on Mental Health, Thoughts on...WWU, the Original Blog Leave a comment December 30, 2024December 28, 2024 3 Minutes

FLU-2: Zoonopa

It turns out that not everything that happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. It turns out that, sometimes, Vegas giveth and taketh away. It turns out that some souvenirs are the worst, even if free.

Jyl Barlow Thoughts on Blended Families, Thoughts on Marriage Leave a comment January 29, 2024April 13, 2024 5 Minutes

Sing When You Win: My Goals for the New Year.

The thing about resolutions? They often encapsulate the unrealistic yet we then beat ourselves up for not achieving them.  Make them achievable. Sing when you win.

Jyl Barlow Thoughts on Being a Writer, Thoughts on Mental Health 1 Comment January 21, 2024April 13, 2024 9 Minutes

Six Months Later …

Happy six-month-aversary to What to Expect When You Weren’t Expecting!! In many ways, it seems like this labor of love (and hate) hit bookshelves no less than six years ago. In zero ways, well, there’s just no way that it’s only been six months.

Jyl Barlow Thoughts on Blended Families, Thoughts on Family, Thoughts on Marriage 1 Comment September 11, 2023September 9, 2023 12 Minutes

Influential Behavior

Would you ever walk out of a relationship simply to avoid saying, "Hey, nice job!"? Before you do, ask yourself this: What am I really feeling?

Jyl Barlow Thoughts on Blended Families 1 Comment May 8, 2023 5 Minutes

The Timeline of a Book

I wish I had a Fast Pass that said “I started journaling a thousand emotions ago!!!!” so I could skip the line. One of the side effects of the pandemic was an abundance of writers - now flooding publishing houses.

Jyl Barlow Thoughts from a Frazzled Bear, Thoughts on Being a Writer Leave a comment October 24, 2022April 13, 2024 6 Minutes

The Zero Hours…and hustle.

How do I manage it all? The Zero Hours (and a little hustle).

Jyl Barlow Thoughts on Work Life Leave a comment August 22, 2022 7 Minutes
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Unpacking my Suitcase, Urn included.

Unpacking my Suitcase, Urn included.

“Did you bring your mom?”

“Yes! She’s right here!”  I said as I pulled a tiny urn from my pocket for all to see. ALL. All six-hundred attendees of the Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop.

All who giggled and clapped as I held up the Tiny Traveling Urn that brought me to the Dayton stage.

by Jyl Barlow April 6, 2026April 6, 2026
Go in with Delusion

Go in with Delusion

On one hand, I tend to do everything with intention, very thoughtfully planned out. On the other hand, I dive in without looking back.

Why? Delusion.

by Jyl Barlow March 23, 2026March 22, 2026
Message Received: The Erma Story

Message Received: The Erma Story

As I left the Richmond airport, two weeks ago, my phone pinged announcing a voicemail that had been received while I was in the air. I was returning from a second attempt to avoid the feelings surrounding the first anniversary of my mother’s death, arriving home on that very first anniversary date.  Because I was…

by Jyl Barlow March 9, 2026March 8, 2026
Navigating Grief: One Year Later

Navigating Grief: One Year Later

Today marks one year since losing my mom. It’s been both the longest and shortest year, during which I learned a hell of a lot more about grief than I ever wanted to. 

For instance, did you know there is no trophy for Best at Grieving?

by Jyl Barlow February 23, 2026February 19, 2026
Doggy Style: The Luge

Doggy Style: The Luge

As I was shitting my pants, I was praying that our dog missed all the trees in her sledding path (she did) and remained upright (she did).

by Jyl Barlow February 9, 2026February 3, 2026
A Handmade Goodbye

A Handmade Goodbye

It really wasn’t that hard, except for the tears that kept filling my eyes as I pushed the needle through the quilt’s sturdy fabric to form the words, “Love, Judy.”

by Jyl Barlow January 26, 2026January 23, 2026
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