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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.

A Totality Disappointment in St. Joseph, Missouri

August 24, 2017 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

A totality disappointment: An eclipse chaser lies on the ground for a better view of the total eclipse August, 2017, St. Joseph, MO. Photo by Barbara Newhall

We traveled 1700 miles to see the eclipse. The moon came between us and the sun, as promised. But so did a big fat cloud. A totality disappointment. Read more.

The Writing Room: Am I Stuck? Or Am I Just Taking a Little Housekeeping Break?

August 17, 2017 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Am I stuck as a writer? I'd rather watch this asphalt crew at work filling in gutter in front of my house. Photo by Barbara Newhall

Sitting at a blank laptop screen awaiting writerly inspiration isn’t that much fun nowadays. I’d rather watch the guys laying asphalt in front of our house. Am I stuck? Read more.

With a Little Luck You’ll Live Long Enough to Breed Flies in Your Attic

August 10, 2017 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Dead flies caught on sticky fly paper. They didn't live long. Photo by Barbara Newhall

Back in 1987 old age seemed a long ways away. It still does.  Read more.

Spike Heels — Feminist? Feminine? Or Both?

August 3, 2017 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Girls wear pink, but grown women like this one opt for daring spike heels. Photo by Barbara Newhall

Let’s face it. Spike heels aren’t much good for doing what real women do – drive an SUV, wash down the deck. Same goes for long fingernails. What gives? Read more.

A Case of the Human Condition: When Your Six-Year-Old Wants to Talk Money

July 27, 2017 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

A six-year-old talks money. Photo by Barbara Newhall

Our 6-year-old wanted an allowance. Jon and I debated: 50 cents a week? 75? “Let’s not talk in cents,” said Peter. “Let’s talk in dollars.” Read more.

The Case of the Missing Blog Posts — Blame It on a Mischievous Software Glitsch

July 20, 2017 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Among the missing blog posts: Metal poles at a construction site to illustrate that BarbaraFalconerNewhall.com will be under construction for a few days. Photo by Barbara Newhall

Oops. Six missing blog posts! My apologies to subscribers who didn’t get my June and July updates. Blame it on the ongoing website construction.  Read more.

Jury Duty Is a Lot Like Fourth-Grade Softball. Here’s Why

July 13, 2017 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Choose me for Jury duty at Superior Court of California. Photo by Barbara Newhall

Jury duty selection feels like 4th grade softball, when one’s very right to take up space on the planet depends on someone choosing, or not choosing, you. Read more.

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LET’S CONNECT

ON THE FUNNY SIDE

Shepherd Bliss and Men’s Secrets — No Women Allowed

Drum circle drummer for mens movement. photo by Joe Perez

Men’s No. 1 secret, Shepherd Bliss told me, the one they want to keep from women — and other men — is that they, too, feel powerless. Read more.

MORE "ON THE FUNNY SIDE"

CATEGORIES

  • A Case of the Human Condition
  • My Ever-Changing Family
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  • My Rocky Spiritual Journey

 
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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!

Shopping at the Berkeley Potters Guild — Three Artists, Three Visions

Silver satin 4 1/2 inch high shoes with clear stone pave straps at Nordstrom $129.95. Photo by BF Newhall.

My Killer Shoes — Brought Down to Size by Those Four-and-a-Half-Inch Heels

man-asleep

Widowed: I’ve Been Writing a Memoir in Essays All This Time

Cover of the Sept. 1, 2016, Kirkus Review, which contains a review of "Wrestling with God" by Barbara Falconer Newhall

Kirkus Reviews ‘Wrestling with God’ This Month

MORE DON'T MISS!

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