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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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Barbara Falconer Newhall

Prayer Flags Were Flying — But What Is Prayer?

August 9, 2025 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

prayer flags were flying what is prayer odiyan-Cintamani-Temple

Prayer flags were flying at the Ratna Ling Retreat center, and I wondered, but not for the first time, what is prayer?  Read more.

Waiting My Turn at the DMV — With 150 People Ahead of Me in Line

August 2, 2025 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

overhead-electronic-wait-lit-signage-at-california-dmv

I tried to be patient waiting my turn at the DMV with 150 ahead of me in line. Did I have a choice?  Read more.

My Pal the Recycling Bin

July 26, 2025 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

recycling-can

For years, my pal the recycling bin had been there for me and my empty olive jars and soda cans — until one day I let it be tossed into a collection truck with the other recyclables.  Read more.

I Write. Therefore, I Procrastinate. Why?

July 18, 2025 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

i-write-therefore-i-procrastinate-why barbara-falconer-newhall-at-a-writing-retreat

I write. Therefore, I procrastinate. Why? Could the thing I have in mind to write be too big, too gleaming, too unattainable?  Read more.

The Fine Art of Writerly Procrastination

July 12, 2025 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

barbara-falconer-newhall-columnist-oakland-tribune

Without an editor to set a deadline for me, the days pass merrily along as I practice the fine art of writerly procrastination.  Read more.

Older, but Wiser? Or, When Life Gives You Lemons, Freeze Them

July 5, 2025 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

older-but-wiser-or-when-life-gives-you-lemons-freeze-them

Older, but wiser? Maybe. We elders can’t give you wisdom, but we can give you some tips, like when life gives you lemons, freeze them.  Read more.

I Like My Past. It’s a Keeper

June 28, 2025 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

i like my past it's a keeper little-boys-drawing-of-home

We are instructed by the wise ones among us to live in the present. But I like my past. It’s a keeper and I like visiting it from time to time.  Read more.

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ON THE FUNNY SIDE

My Long-Lost Dead Ancestors — I Found Them in a Parking Lot

The 1600 block of Minneapolis's Seventh Avenue South where my long-lost dead ancestors once lived is now a parking lot fronted by high rises. Photo by Barbara Newhall

Yes, you can locate your long-gone ancestors. You can pin them down to an exact place. Sometimes it’s a parking lot. Read more.

MORE "ON THE FUNNY SIDE"

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  • A Case of the Human Condition
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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!

 

DON’T MISS!

In My Rain-Battered Garden — Nothing Is Forever, Not Even Those Poppies

NASA-satellite-michigan

Is My Writing Too Nice?

Auschwitz. Star of David patches were sewn on to the clothing of Jews during Nazi domination of Eastern Europe. On display at the Dohany Stree Synagogue, Budapest. Photo by Barbara Newhall

A Mother Who Prevailed at Auschwitz

Two flowers, one thriving, one not remind me of Ann Patchett and her friend Lucy. Photo by Barbara Newhall

Ann Patchett — My Brand-New Favorite Author

MORE DON'T MISS!

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