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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
  • WIDOWED
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Barbara’s Riffs on Life

Widowed: The Things My Husband Wanted. (Or, We Are What We Want)

February 17, 2024 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

JON-NEWHALL

I feel the sharpest grief when I picture my husband alive and wanting something, planning something — picking out artichokes for dinner, making a grandchild laugh. Read more.

Widowed: We’re Older and Kinder Now

February 10, 2024 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

we're older and kinder now kindness-carey-mulligan-as-felicia-montealegre

I’m older and kinder now, but not because I’m a virtuous goody-good. It’s my irresponsible id, my reptilian brain, that wants to be kind.  Read more.

California Clay: Oozing, Writhing, Glistening Art. Now at the Bedford Gallery

February 3, 2024 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

blot-by-Mary-Alison-Lucas

Bedford Gallery’s “California Clay” show, where ceramic art forgets to look like art and chooses instead to ooze, glisten, drip and writhe.  Read more.

Nature Giveth and Nature Taketh Away

January 27, 2024 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

nature giveth. nature taketh away. flowering-tree

Against all odds, a flowering fruit tree took root in the wild canyon below our house, but not for long. Nature giveth, nature taketh away.  Read more.

Am I Still Old? Or Am I Elderly Now?

January 20, 2024 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

am-i-still-old-or-am-i-elderly-now-grab-bar-bathroom

Head-spinning vertigo had me stumbling around the house like an old lady. I had to wonder, am I still just old? Or have I moved on to being elderly?  Read more.

Widowed: Am I Grieving? Or Am I Just Lonely?

January 13, 2024 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

empty-home-office

Am I grieving, or am I just lonely? When I spotted my husband’s empty office chair, I was overcome by — what? Sorrow? Or simple loneliness?   Read more.

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LET’S CONNECT

ON THE FUNNY SIDE

With a Little Luck You’ll Live Long Enough to Breed Flies in Your Attic

Dead flies caught on sticky fly paper. They didn't live long. Photo by Barbara Newhall

Back in 1987 old age seemed a long ways away. It still does.  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!

alta-bates-summit-medical-center

Widowed: Did He Die in Anguish?

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A Hopeful Realist Is Keeping Me Company These Days

My grandfather David Falconer in 1893. Photo by Ludington Studios

A Case of the Human Condition: Am I Scotch?* Or Midwestern?

nail-in-a-wall

People Don’t Die Anymore — They Pass

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