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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
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Barbara’s Riffs on Life

My Computer is Dead, Long Live My Omputer

March 7, 2014 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 6 Comments

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 8 Comments

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 19 Comments

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 12 Comments

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.

Making Friends — Trying To — With the Dread Serial Comma

February 6, 2014 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 7 Comments

Barbara Falconer Newhall in her writing room with book contract. Photo by Jon Newhall

My book contract says that I’m to deliver my book manuscript “in conformity with the provisions in ‘The Chicago Manual of Style.’” That means that, at long last, I’m finally going head-to-head with the serial comma. Read more.

Little Girl Lost — My Mother’s Magical Babushka

January 30, 2014 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 5 Comments

facade of Hudson't downtwon Detroit store, mid-20th century.

When I was three or four years old, my mother took me shopping at a big department store in downtown Detroit. It might have been Crowley’s or Kern’s or Hudson’s. Shoppers crowded the aisles and soon, my mother and I got separated and I found myself alone. Read more.

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LET’S CONNECT

ON THE FUNNY SIDE

The Bride Said Yes to the Dress . . . The Mother-of-the-Bride Diaries Begin

Seamstress and saleswoman Nordstrom fit a bride with a wedding dress. Yes to the dress. Photo by Barbara Newhall

The woman said yes to The Dress, the one she’ll be wearing on her wedding day. With that, her mother opened a credit card account and placed the order. Read more.

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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!

 

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Orange tulip with green and yellow streaks, detail of "Fusion," a floral design for the 2015 Tulip Exhibition at the Mountain View Cemetery, Oakland, CA. Design is by Kay Wolff of Kay Wolff Design, Berkeley. Photo by Barbara Newhall

A Cemetery Comes to LIfe — With Tulips

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