Jan Carlberg seated in a wing chair beside a fireplace and bookshelves
Jan Carlberg

Food for thought with a dash of hope and humor.

Books, Words & Writing

SLACK WATER MOMENTS

One of the gifts of living near the ocean, is being close enough to catch a whiff of salt air. And to watch the salt marsh fill and empty with the tides. Waves come and go. There always seems to be movement, one way or the other.

But I was wrong. Recently, I read about moments, when the tides neither go out, nor come in. It's called slack water time, a moment of calm. The article was in the NYTimes 7/11/26. The author reflected,"If the ocean can cease for a moment its relentless surging, then it certainly seems possible that we can, too."

Well, there's an idea long overdue in our relentless pursuits, agendas, goalsetting. And since July 2nd marked the half way point of this year, the author suggested it's a good time to hit pause. Reset. Enjoy some slack water moments.

Sometimes, the best way to move forward is to be still.

Take a breath.

Just be.

Sound like a plan?

Oops.

Wrong word, "plan."

So, "Remember the Sabbath?"

God's gift of sacred slack water moments for each of us.

Family & Grandchildren

HOW DO YOU LIKE IT?

Notes from Jan v2.0

Yup, thanks to Chad, I have a new blog site. Photos are up-to-date so you'l recognize me, if we should bump into each other, before death do us part. I think the chair photo makes me look holier, more serious and attentive than I actually…

Family & Grandchildren

MISSING ANYTHING?

Maybe it’s not some thing that’s missing, but some one. For me, it’s both. I miss the whole family crowded on the wraparound porch at “our” beach house at Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. Mama found it, then rented it for several summers, until she left…

Something to Ponder

JUST FOR THE HALIBUT

Just chose my entree for an upcoming event. Debated about short ribs, then chose the halibut. While I'm not always sure how my mind works, it still seems to work. Although, I get why some question where I'm headed with some blogs And I admit,…

Family & Grandchildren

ARE THOSE PANTS HOT?

Well, turns out little Claire wasn't asking to see if my white pants were "cool," like "She looks so HOT!" But wondered, if they felt hot on this simmering summer day? I said I was OK but thought her dress would be much cooler. It…

Books, Words & Writing

A PEBBLE FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

Yes, I meant pebble, not penny. Tina Francis, is July's author for the daily devotional, Forward Movement. Yesterday's reading reminded me how aggravating a pea-sized pebble can be, lodged between your foot and shoe. No matter how you squiggle and contort your foot to remove…

Grief & Comfort

A FAN OF FANS

Well, the World Cup's a done deal, until 2030. In four years, FIFA will celebrate 100 years of bringing players and people together for the love of country and soccer. I hope I'm still around to watch the USA and Norway move up. Maybe play…

Family & Grandchildren

I LOVE TO WIN BUT...

Yes, I love to win, but not at any cost. And so I was concerned about the match between TEAM USA versus BELGIUM yesterday. My concern wasn't about the USA winning or losing. We'd already lost, if sportsmanship, respect and rules matter. I was concerned…