• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • BLOG
  • WRESTLING WITH GOD BOOK
  • CONTACT

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
  • WIDOWED
  • FUNNY BUTTON

shopping

Petunias! A Shopping Success Story. Sheltering at Home Week 21

August 2, 2020 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

pink-petunia-blossoms

The plant nursery down the hill was open for business. Everybody wore masks. Carts were wiped down with bleach. And there were — petunias! Read more.

I Finally Got to Go Shopping. Here’s How That Worked Out. Sheltering at Home Week 19

July 25, 2020 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

near-empty-store-shelf

After months of sheltering at home, I got in my car to do some actual brick-and-mortar shopping. A favorite retailer had other plans for me. Read more.

White, White Sneakers — On the Cobbled Streets of Lisbon’s Baixa District

November 26, 2017 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

White sneakers witih jeans or leggings were de rigueur on the streets of Lisbon, Portugal. Photo by Barbara Newhall

Is an Istanbul Trip Too Risky for You? Here’s What You’re Missing

June 30, 2016 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Exterior walls of the ancient Hagia Sohia basilica of Istanbul. Photo by Barbara Newhall

Jon and I took the kids to Istanbul back in 2009. What we experienced was a energetic culture with a rich past, great food and beautiful people. Read more.

Wedding Wear: The Aunt Wore Black

September 17, 2015 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

red eileen fisher dress with shirt. . looking for a dress for niece's wedding. nordstrom. Eileen Fisher $248 for the shirt and $378 for the dress

This wedding called for a festive evening dress with panache and color and sparkle. And skin. Lots of it. Arms. Legs. And, what the heck, décolletage. Read more.

Jeff Greenwald and Kevin Griffin — A Funny Buddhist and a Happy One

May 28, 2015 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Buddhist author Jeff Greenwald. Photo by Barbara Newhall

Jeff Greenwald is a master of the upstart art of finding God funny. Kevin Griffin writes about the commonalities between Buddhism and 12-step programs. Read more.

The Sad State of the Supermarket Strawberry

April 17, 2014 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Large, red strawberries on a blue and white plate. Photo by BF Newhall

I’m worried about the strawberry. It’s too late for the tomato. Its innards were transformed into colorless, flavorless – but easily shippable – pulp decades ago. Which is why I’m concerned about the strawberry. Is it going the way of the tomato? Read more.

  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

GET MY Riffs on Life BY EMAIL

True stories often told through a humorous lens–because you just can't make them up!

We respect your privacy and do not share your email with anyone.

 

LET’S CONNECT

ON THE FUNNY SIDE

No to Bride Barbie — Yes to a Real-Life Wedding

Christina Newhall, age 7, playing tug of war at a party. Photo by Barbara Newhall

My 7-year-old wanted nothing to do with her Bride Barbie doll. But twenty-five years later, she’s ready to be a bride for real. Read more.

MORE "ON THE FUNNY SIDE"

CATEGORIES

  • A Case of the Human Condition
  • My Ever-Changing Family
  • On Writing & Reading
  • My Rocky Spiritual Journey

 
Need some levity? Push my Funny Button!

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!

 

DON’T MISS!

Russian roulette in the 1978 movie "The Deer Hunter."

Today’s Downer: ‘You Aways Kill Yourself Too Late’

A greeting card with embossed and stamped poppies, blank inside by Emeryville, CA, printer Paula Skene Designs. Photo by BF Newhall

At the Hallmark Store — Teary-Eyed in the Sympathy Card Section

A six-year-old boy dressed as a cowboy for halloween. Photo by Barbara Newhall

A Case of the Human Condition: When Your Six-Year-Old Wants to Talk Money

religion-bookshelf

The Top Religion Stories of 2025 — From Religion News Association

MORE DON'T MISS!

© 2009–2026 Barbara Falconer Newhall All rights reserved. · Log in