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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
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  • MY ROCKY SPIRITUAL JOURNEY
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Barbara Falconer Newhall

Is My Writing Too Nice?

August 31, 2024 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

NASA-satellite-michigan

I sometimes wonder when I sit down to write — am I too much of an optimist? Am I too hopeful? Too trusting? Is my writing too nice?  Read more.

For the Kids: An Obstacle Course — Or a Fairy Circle?

August 24, 2024 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

FAIRY CIRCLE terraced-backyard-stairway

I tugged and dragged and rolled the old logs onto the terrace and made them into an obstacle course. Or was it a fairy circle?  Read more.

Widowed: Jon’s Memorial Tree Is Thriving — Both of Them

August 17, 2024 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

memorial tree madrone-sapling-with-secure-dee-cage

The memorial tree planted in my husband’s honor is thriving — both of them. Madrones are fussy, so we planted two to be on the safe side.  Read more.

Tending a Friendship — I’m on Her Calendar and She’s on Mine

August 10, 2024 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

tending a friendship on the trail. Photo by Barbara Newhall

Tending a long and deep friendship — we’ve done it by setting a hiking date once a month, without fail, so that I’m on her calendar and she’s on mine.  Read more.

Help Me Be a Fun Grandma. I Need Ideas for My Babysitting Week

August 3, 2024 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

help me be a fun grandma

I agreed to provide child care for a week this summer. Help me be a fun grandma. Tell me, how do I keep two kids, 8 and 5, entertained?  Read more.

A Brutal Forced March Across Germany — A ‘Wrestling with God’ Story

July 27, 2024 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

brutal forced march across Germany robert-tharratt-barbara-falconer-newhall

Decades after he endured a brutal forced march across Germany, World War II POW Robert Tharratt told his story for my book, “Wrestling with God.”  Read more.

Getting Older: I’m Not ‘Keeping Busy’

July 20, 2024 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

older: I'm not 'keeping busy'

I’m getting older and older. I’m not ‘keeping busy.’ I’m busy, which is not the same thing.  Read more.

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LET’S CONNECT

ON THE FUNNY SIDE

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

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

My six-year-old wanted an allowance. Jon and I debated. Fifty cents a week? 75? “Let’s not talk in cents,” said Peter. “Let’s talk in dollars.” Read more.

MORE "ON THE FUNNY SIDE"

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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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