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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
  • FUNNY BUTTON

Barbara’s Riffs on Life

When the Rough-In Plumbing and Electrical Are Things of Beauty

March 22, 2025 By Barbara Falconer Newhall Leave a Comment

When the Rough-In Plumbing and Electrical Are Things of Beauty copper-pipes-new-bath

The hidden secret behind the sheetrock in my bathroom — the rough-in plumbing and rough-in electrical are things of beauty.  Read more.

My Porta-Potty Has Finally Arrived! And Coming Soon — A Bath Remodel

March 15, 2025 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 3 Comments

My porta-potty has arrived. Coming soon, my bath remodel.

My Porta-potty has arrived. Finally. Coming soon, a brand-new bathroom with a huge stall shower, comfy bench and lots of grab bars.  Read more.

Five Years Ago This Month — Covid Shut Down Our World

March 8, 2025 By Barbara Falconer Newhall Leave a Comment

five years ago this month covid

Five years ago this month covid shut down our world. There wasn’t much to do, so I wrote a lot of covid stories, some sad and some, I like to think, amusing.  Read more.

Widowed: He’s Gone. And Now So Is His Barbecue

March 1, 2025 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 4 Comments

widowed he's gone and now so is his barbecue-utensils

I’m widowed. He’s gone, and now so is his barbecue. They are just things, I tell myself. They aren’t Jon. And decluttering is a good thing. The kids like it when I get rid of stuff.  Read more.

My Mother’s Writing Desk Is Not My Writing Desk. Here’s Why

February 22, 2025 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 1 Comment

ink-stain-in-an-old-desk-drawer

Being in the same room with my mother’s writing desk is like being in the same room with my mother, which is why her desk isn’t in my writing room.  Read more.

Widowed: Did My Husband Know I Loved Him?

February 15, 2025 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 1 Comment

Widowed: Did My Husband Know I Loved Him? Zodiac-News-Service-Nov-11-12-1972

We were not gushy, Jon and I, and that was fine with me. Widowed now, I’ve been wondering, was I too stingy with my affections? Did my husband know I loved him?  Read more.

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LET’S CONNECT

ON THE FUNNY SIDE

The Mother-of-the-Groom Diaries: They Did It. They Got Married

A Minneapolis bride and groom with a young cousin, May, 2013. Photo by BF NewhallThey pulled it off. They got married. They said their vows. They were pronounced husband and wife in Minneapolis on May 25.

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!

Close up of a blossom of fiireweed on a San Juan Island in Washington. Photo by Barbara Newhall

A Patch of Fireweed in the Northwest — What Color Are Those Blossoms? Do I Need to Know?

A purple bearded iris blossom. Photo by BF Newhall

Purple Bearded Irises — Close Up and (Very) Personal

A bride in white lace gown with bouquet of mixed purple flowers laughs during her weddng ceremony. Photo by BF Newhall

The Mother-of-the-Groom Diaries: Snapping Pictures at My Son’s Wedding

Squares of Turkish delight candy colorfully arranged in a shop window along the pedestrian shopping street İstiklal Caddesi in Istanbul. Photo by Barbara Newhall

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

MORE DON'T MISS!

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