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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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  • FUNNY BUTTON

Barbara Falconer Newhall

Dead Stuff – Which I Will Be Too One of These Days

March 27, 2014 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

The bark has fallen off a dying valley oak tree at Bishop's Ranch, Sonoma county, CA, revealing the sun-bleached grain of the heartwood. Photo by BF Newhall

The fifth-century Saint Jerome kept a human skull on his desk to remind him of his mortality – memento mori. But if you’re like me and you like to take walks in the woods, you don’t need a skull taking up space on your desk to remind you that sooner or later everything dies, including you. That’s because the woods are full of dead stuff. Read more.

The de Young This Week: Bursting With Art — And Flowers

March 20, 2014 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Kaori Imaizumi of Blooming Floral Design, Inc., created a floral design for Henri's "Lady in Black with Spanish Scarf." Photo by BF Newhall

Art. Bouquets. More art. More bouquets. My idea of a good time. I spent the day yesterday at the annual Bouquets to Art show at the de Young Fine Arts Museum in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park — joined by two friends who enjoy flowers and art as much as I do. Read more.

You’ve Got the Agent, You’ve Got the Publisher — But Do You Have the Publicist?

March 13, 2014 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Computer monitor shows title page of "Wrestling with God" book manuscript ready to send to publisher. Photo by BF Newhall

You get an idea for a book. You like it a lot. You think people are going to want to read this book. You’re stoked. Then you fret for months and years over how to transform this idea you like so much into a 250-page manuscript that people will actually read. Read more.

My Computer is Dead, Long Live My Omputer

March 7, 2014 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Jon Newhall, the author's geeky husband, sets up her new Toshiba laptop. Photo by BF Newhall

I went away for the weekend, and when I showed up in my writing room on Monday morning my laptop had crashed. “It’s not your fault,” said the computer repair guy. “Computers are machines. Machines break.“

For Wetter, For Drier — I’m Married to California

February 27, 2014 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

The slopes along the Grapevine in Southern California are dry and grey during February 2014 drought. Photo by BF Newhall

Basically, there are two kinds of Californian. Those who are delighted by a sunny February day. And those who are dismayed. Jon is one of the latter. You can chart the weather by Jon’s moods. Read more.

Yippee! I Did It — I Finished My Book

February 20, 2014 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

the first page of Barbara Falconer Newhall's manuscript for Wrestling With God appears on her computer monitor. Photo by BF Newhall

At 6:02 p.m. yesterday evening I hit the send button and sent the manuscript for Wrestling With God off to my publisher, Patheos Press. To tell you the truth, I’m very proud of this book. Read more.

Stalking Superman

February 13, 2014 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Actor Christopher Dennis on curb of Hollywood Boulevard dressed as Superman. Photo by BF Newhall

There he was. In the flesh. Tall and slender and muscled and oh-so-handsome. Sigh. It was Superman. The Man of Steel of my girlhood fantasies. My dream man. Read more.

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LET’S CONNECT

ON THE FUNNY SIDE

I’m a Widow. Was This Guy Asking Me for a Date?

 I'm-a-widow-was-this-guy-asking-me-for-a-date winding-sidewalk

It was just a friendly chat with a stranger out walking his dog. But then I thought, “I’m a widow. Was this guy asking me for a date?”  Read more.

MORE "ON THE FUNNY SIDE"

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  • A Case of the Human Condition
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TO MY READERS

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DON’T MISS!

rollin-first-you-cry-cover

Betty Rollin: A Light Has Gone Out. And So Have Many Others

Facade and steeple of the First Presbyterian Church of Birmingham, Michigan. Photo by Barbara Newhall

The First Presbyterian Church of Birmingham, Michigan — Last Stop on My One-Woman Road Trip

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Widowed: My Husband Is the Hero of My Next Book

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I’m a Grammar Geek: I Don’t Get Nauseous. I’ve Never Received a Kudo. And I Never, Ever Lay on My Yoga Mat

MORE DON'T MISS!

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