Forget those charming little forget-me-nots. They’re not as guileless as they look. They have an agenda. Read more.
A Case of the Human Condition
I’m Barbara Falconer Newhall and I’ve got an incurable Case of the Human Condition. And since you do too, I’m counting on you to laugh and cry along with me as I riff on life as we know it . . . Below you'll read about my creaky, old fifties house, my forays into home gardening, my shopping stories, my spectacularly low-fashion wardrobe -- and more.
I Confess. In 2020, I Washed the Potatoes. With Soap
It was April, 2020. The pandemic was underway and you couldn’t be too careful about what you let into your house, including your groceries. Which is why I washed the potatoes, with soap. Read more.
When the Rough-In Plumbing and Electrical Are Things of Beauty
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
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
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.
My Son Is in the Hospital With Appendicitis 2,000 Miles Away. How Do I Mother Him From Here?
My son Is in the hospital with appendicitis 2,000 miles away. He’s 28 years old and living on his own. How do I mother him from here?
Happily Retired? Take the Quiz
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.