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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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Barbara’s Riffs on Life

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.

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LET’S CONNECT

ON THE FUNNY SIDE

Happily Retired? Take the Quiz

happily-retired-doing-crossword

Retired, I’ve decided, is an attitude. It’s a state of mind, a state of equanimity. You can have that attitude whether you’re still working or you’ve clocked your last forty-hour work-week.  Read more.

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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!

Jon Newhall sitting on our deck quietly, seen through a window, with trees. Photo by Barbara Falconer Newhall

Why Meditate — When I Could Be Sweeping the Garage?

Barbara Falconer Newhall was summoned for jury duty.. Photo by Barbara Newhall

A Case of the Human Condition: Choose Me, Please!

jon-and-barbara-newhall

Widowed: 2020 Was a Very Good Year — For Jon and Me

Father-with-two-grown-kids

Widowed and the We-Ness of Marriage

MORE DON'T MISS!

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