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Barbara Falconer Newhall

Veteran journalist Barbara Falconer Newhall riffs on life as she knows it.

  • A CASE OF THE HUMAN CONDITION
  • MY EVER-CHANGING FAMILY
  • WRITING & READING
  • MY ROCKY SPIRITUAL JOURNEY
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The Trouble With Poinsettias

April 5, 2026 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 10 Comments

poinsettias

The trouble with poinsettias is — they don’t know that Christmas is over and it’s time to make an exit.  Read more.

Finding Hope for Our Time — In Handel’s ‘Messiah’

January 3, 2026 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

camellia-blossom-in-full

Finding hope for our time: Charles Jennens’ libretto for Handel’s “Messiah” was a response to his time — and ours.  Read more.

Click Here for Christmas Carols — The Old-Fashioned Kind

December 20, 2025 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Christmas-lights-on-the-branches-of-a[tree

Music to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Click here for Christmas carols — the old-fashioned kind.  Read more.

All I Want for Christmas Is . . . Readers for ‘Wrestling with God’

December 13, 2025 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

all i want for christmas is readers for m book poinsetia-with-gift-book

All I want for Christmas is readers for my book, “Wrestling with God: Stories of Doubt and Faith.” You can help make it happen.  Read more.

Christmas Carols — Listen Here for the Real Thing

December 21, 2024 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

christmas carols  creche-san-miguel-mexico

Tired of the safe, watered-down Christmas music now playing in shopping malls? Try these Christmas carols, the real ones.  Read more.

My Little Old Lady Christmas Tree — Showing It Who’s Boss

December 7, 2024 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

my little old lady Christmas tree

It’s time to buy myself another little old lady Christmas tree, haul it into the house and stand it on the coffee table — creaky knees and knuckles, notwithstanding.  Read more.

Happy Holidays!

December 23, 2023 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

vintage-christmas-tree-ornament

I’m keeping my mid-winter greetings short and sweet today: May your holiday season be warm and bright! Happy Holidays!  Read more.

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ON THE FUNNY SIDE

A Dad, a Mom and an 8-Year-Old With a Bashed Lip

eight-year-old boy smiling up from a swimming pool. photo by bf newhall

At 7 on a Saturday night, eight-year-old Peter came home from the park with a lip the size of a ping-pong ball. He had been hit by a hardball on the fly. I wanted to take him to the ER. Jon said no, it was just a fat lip. Read more.

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TO MY READERS

Please feel free to share links to my posts with one and all and to quote briefly from them in your own writing, remembering, of course, to attribute the quote to me and to provide a link back to this site.

My Oakland Tribune columns, btw, are reprinted by permission of the Trib. With the exception of review copies of books, I do not accept ads or freebies of any kind. Click on the "Contact" button if you have questions. Enjoy!

 

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