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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

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.

Sheltering at Home: Day Zero

March 17, 2020 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 4 Comments

house remodel mess

The deadly COVID-19 virus is stalking the San Francisco Bay Area and authorities have ordered me and my neighbors to be sheltering at home starting now. Read more.

Where’s Barbara? On Instagram, of Course

March 14, 2020 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 2 Comments

barbara falconer newhall on instagram

Where have I been? On Instagram, of course. So much quicker and easier than writing blog posts. Look for me and lots of photos at @BarbaraFalconerNewhall. Read more.

Over-Wrought Iron — Those Curlicues Had to Go

July 11, 2019 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 2 Comments

Fifties Kitsch-curlecues

Those Fifties kitsch geegaws on the stair railing have got to go. That’s what I told myself when Jon and I bought this house back in 1978. Read more.

Our Flag Is Flying Again This Fourth of July

July 6, 2019 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 6 Comments

fourth-of-july-flag

Very festive. Very patriotic. No jets or tanks, just the red, white and blue flying on the Fourth of July at our house again this year. Read more. 

California’s Golden Poppies Aren’t So Golden This Year — They’re Orange

April 10, 2019 By Barbara Falconer Newhall Leave a Comment

Golden Poppies bursting out all over California in spring 2019 after a heavy rain winter, these in a Berkeley front yard. Photo by Barbara Newhall

This year’s California Golden Poppies are a richer, darker — orange — color than I’ve ever seen in the Bay Area. Credit that winter rain? Read more.

Joe Biden: I’m Rewriting That Post I Wrote About Joe

April 5, 2019 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 7 Comments

Joe Biden is a great guy, but he doesn't really get it. That's OK for a seventy-something like him, but not for the Xers and beyond. New York Times articles discussses. Photo by Barbara Newhall

Joe Biden is a good guy. But he doesn’t get it. This touchy-feely stuff has never been OK. He needs to own up to that. Read more.

Out-Takes From a Small Town Police Blotter Reveal a Serious Case of the Human Condition

October 18, 2018 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 4 Comments

In California’s Gold Country, the bad news is not too bad, if a recent edition of the Western Nevada County Union’s police blotter is to be believed. Read more.

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LET’S CONNECT

ON THE FUNNY SIDE

Donald Trump Played Me. Here’s How

The cover of Donald Trump book, "Think Big and Kick Ass."

Donald Trump played me. He got what he wanted from me this election season. And it wasn’t my vote. Read more.

MORE "ON THE FUNNY SIDE"

CATEGORIES

  • A Case of the Human Condition
  • My Ever-Changing Family
  • On Writing & Reading
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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!

Windmills against the sky, Altamont Pass, CA. Photo by BF Newhall

A Case of the Human Condition: Build a Wind Farm — Wreck Lake Michigan

Barbara Falconer Newhall at age 75, one year after publication of Wrestling with God. the Big Seven-Five. Photo by Barbara Newhall

The Shame of Aging: The Big Seven-Five Has Finally Arrived

Widowed, I’m Staying Put. And So Are My Bricks

california-fuchsia-bud

Betty Rollin on How to Talk to a Widow

MORE DON'T MISS!

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