My Family’s Letting Me Down
If only they were more screwed up No wonder I’m so frustrated See that photo, the kids jumping for joy? Those aren’t my actual family members, but I have more than one pic of my real grandnieces and grandnephews doing…
Jan M Flynn
Writer, educator, audiobook narrator, horse whisperer (but they don't always listen to me), and above all, compulsive reader.
Why I’m Marching Again
This time it’s not for me That’s me and my husband, rabble-rousing again Life isn’t entirely comfortable for a progressive in Idaho these days — if it ever has been. On the other hand, life isn’t entirely comfortable for anybody…
My Smart Watch is Self-Aware
It could write better haiku than me “Check your rings,” Watch says;It’s dissatisfied with me,(Almost all the time). I set my goals lowTo avoid this very thingBut I can’t fool Watch. Superficial cheerMasks withering contemptWhen Watch sees me fail. I’m…
Mother’s Day is Awkward
I can’t be the only one who feels that way Don’t get me wrong; I love the cards and flowers What mother doesn’t enjoy being treated by her offspring? Mothering is hard work with high stakes, with brutal hours, a…
Things For Which You Forget to be Grateful
Just look around; they’re everywhere In my gratitude practice, here’s what I’ve noticed Maybe “practice” is too lofty a term. I don’t claim any specialness when it comes to spiritual mojo or mental hygiene. I’ve simply developed a nightly habit:…
Hey, Conservative Guy
Can we talk? Psst. Over here It’s me, the spiky-haired liberal woman with the “SNFLAK” license plate (SNOWFLAKE: get it? See, not all of us libs take ourselves too seriously). Before you roll your eyes and turn away, let’s acknowledge…
Happiness: A Radical Act
Living lightly in dark times There’s no end of reasons to be unhappy In this third spring of the pandemic, we are only just emerging, or so we hope, into some semblance of our old freedoms. As we begin to…
Can You Believe These Amazing Deals?
No, you can’t. Learn from my mistake I should have known better When a deal is too good to be true, there’s always a catch. You’d think that with my wisdom and experience I’d be too savvy to fall for…
Mom’s Answer to Aging
I couldn’t appreciate it until now Our mother’s words are on repeat in our heads At least they are if we were lucky enough to have mothers, or mother figures, who nurtured and nagged and niggled at us through our…