⬆️ That’s my cat Pooky…hiding her face until 2025 gets the HELL OUTTA HERE. I feel ya, girl.
Welcome back, friends. 👋🏼
So Ready To Say Goodbye to 2025
It was the year that wouldn’t quit sucking. There was a STAGGERING amount of injustice, ignorance, and bigotry all over my country. In my personal world, I dealt with strange illnesses, a dangerous infection, never-ending money problems (thanks to the newly TARIFFED AND DESTROYED economy, UGH), and worst of all…losing Muffin (see last blog 💔).
It was also a wholly unique year, as I officially moved from perimenopause to being in full-blown MENOPAUSE. The downside: I went through many hot flashes and other unpleasant symptoms to get to this point. 🥵 😂 And yeah, I’m old — but so what? I care less about that every day. In fact, I’m beginning to see why menopausal women were often the leaders in many ancient societies — they were elevated to the status of “spiritual leader” and “decision maker.” I feel a new sense of…being POWERFUL. 💪🏼 🧠 Which leads me to the UPSIDE: I feel emotionally strong and incredibly WISE. I no longer deal with people’s bullshit — especially not any man’s nonsense. I can’t BELIEVE that I put up with so many liars, cheats, and no-goods…and looking back, I can finally see CLEARLY…and none of those losers were even attractive at all, let alone interesting or kind. This is why a lot of men prey on YOUNG women — because besides looking attractive, those ladies haven’t realized their true worth yet, and they are still programmed to be “polite” (i.e., too nice / overlooking rude & inappropriate behavior). I’m so glad that I can now see through all the bullshit, I’m secure in my power, and I don’t “pine” for anyone. Absolute bullocks.
But when it comes to menopause, one part is best of all: NO MORE PERIODS. 🩸 I’M DONE. FOREVER. 👏🏼
2025 completed a long life cycle for me, and gave me greater clarity and power, even as it threatened my sanity. That’s typically how power and clarity arrive — you must first weather many storms. But now, it’s time to move forward, once again.
As always, before heading fully into the new year, I like to take one final look back. Since most of the blogs this year featured my book, a playlist, or my latest YouTube movie creations, I think I’ll return to photography for this post.
So here is a collection of photo moments from the last year or so, some of which were shared on other sites or platforms, but not here on my blog…
My 2025, In Photos: Random Moments
My magical sunflower. 🌻 She popped up during the coldest weather about a year ago — when no flowers of ANY kind were blooming anymore. I hadn’t dropped or planted any sunflower seeds, and no one else in the neighborhood or nearby ever grows sunflowers, either. Wrong time and out of place, she came seemingly from nowhere, to stand vigil right there in my front yard.🌻 ❄️ She remained for the longest time — even after two rounds of snow and ice! When the head finally dropped off, her stalk remained standing, for months. I’ve never seen anything like it. Solitary, unique, and strong — she came into my life right when I needed a sign/symbol of these very things.The beauty of leaf litter floating in the river. 35 mm film. Be the light in the storm. An amazing night of karaoke with my friend Eric. I think he’s singing a tune by Incubus here? Yes, I sang, too: “Young Folks,” by Peter, Bjorn, and John. Still finding them. All the time. 🍀 ⭐️ Muffin and I, having our last playtime session outside…and baby had a little itch. 😢 ❤️A moment of beauty in the sky. House of Light. 120 mm film. Standing on Rich Mountain, gazing down at Arkansas valleys below. The tiny spot in the distance, top right quadrant, is Lake Wilhelmina.The majesty of trees. ❤️ Sky ablaze at the train station. Pooky puss, on film. ❤️ The section of Walmart that I call “an 8-year-old’s Las Vegas.”A meditative morning at one of my favorite spots.Making gifts for people: homemade candles and handmade “bee cups.”POETRY SLAM, 2025! Hot Springs, Arkansas. Reflections: Pooky and my bedroom, in the mirror.A beautiful march through town, Hot Springs, Arkansas.If you ever stop in downtown Mena, Arkansas…this coffee shop is two thumbs up. American pastoral. 120 mm film. Golden morning beauty. A giant cloud-bird in the sky. 🕊️Summer nights in my yard, when tropical flowers bloomed. Abstract on my bedroom ceiling, formed by candlelight and shadows.Puddles of raindrops and pinkish-purple petals. #alliteration In “the sticks,” 1 — 35 mm film. In “the sticks,” 2 — 35 mm film.In “the sticks,” 3 — 35 mm film.I’m just gonna LEAF this heart right here for you. Heh heh. Heh. #VeryPunny “In my hometown, the sky seemed endless…but there was nothing to see.” — Ryohgo Narita. 120mm film.I had to bury SO many kittens this year…all because some of my neighbors will NOT spay, neuter, or care for their animals. UGH. I’ve been able to comfort and save a few of these poor local kitties, though. ❤️One of the best 50th birthday gifts I received. 😂 I laughed so hard (thanks, Elliot).A perfect start to a perfect day: pancakes and poetry. August light leaking through trees. A lovely gift, captured on 35 mm film. The season finale of “White Lotus, Season 3” when it debuted…I was SAT. 😂 💯 🍺 Peaceful, snowy scene in my yard. 35 mm film, early morning. I was especially sad on this day, and when I’m feeling something particularly strong — good or bad — I often feel the need to go outside and capture the world around me, at THAT exact moment. Morning is for coffee and writing in lovely sunrise lighting. Sitting in a field full of wildflowers in the middle of the night. 💫 Trying to get the cats into the bathtub during a tornado. 🌪️ 😂 Muffin, as you can see, cooperated. Pooky was the holdout who needed convincing. It’s ALWAYS Pooky, lol. 🤡Speaking of Pooky (pictured here with her stuffed baby flying squirrel) — many of you asked about her after Muffin passed. When Lana and I came home without Muffin’s body (it was cremated), Pooky flew into panic and despair. She wandered around the house, meowing and looking everywhere for Muffin. She also refused to eat for days, and she was losing weight at a dangerous rate. It was so painful to watch Pooky go through this. She had spent her entire life — 17 and a half years — with Muffin, and she didn’t know how to live without her. 😭 I didn’t either. But together, Pooky and I are finding our way and adopting a new daily routine, getting used to our new “normal.” With a lot of love, we are both healing, and yes, Pooky is eating once again. ❤️I’m so glad our local library statue is safe from the cold. But so many library statues go without — they exist unprotected, unloved. Your generous donation could make all the difference. Will YOU adopt a library statue today? (Cue music) 🎵 “In the arms of the angel…fly awaaaaay from here…” 🎵The giant Texaco man of Hot Springs National Park, shot on #120mm film. The truck is a normal-sized vehicle, for scale. This vintage fiberglass man is one of only a few remaining original (and renovated) “Texaco Big Friends” left in the United States. Holga 120n camera. A moment of peace. Made a new friend. 😂 Remember this Malvern spot? The Liminal Spaces Cafe (as I call it) gained a few new characters this year. My two babies, when they used to share the bed. 💔 New writing station setup, in the “mud room” of my home. #writewritewriteMy bird friend, at the local pond. I don’t know if he’s aware that he’s my friend, but he is, nonetheless. 😂 Small town, downtown. 35 mm film.Turkish coffee by the fireplace. Foggy nights. ❤️ Ouachita Mountains moment. I was the only one around for miles. The silence was amazing.The night before she died. 💔 Oh Muffin…I miss you so much. 😭
Thank you for reminiscing with me. I don’t know what 2026 will bring, friends and blog readers, but I’m going to keep hoping for the best…for all of us.
In the near future, there will be new poems and short films. As long as I’m alive, I will be creating…and I will be sharing many of those creations with all of you.
Wishing every person out there love, health, happiness, and magic in the days and months ahead…
Jenn Howe 
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