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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

My Ever-Changing Family

Our family shrinks and grows. People die. People get born. People get mad and won't talk to you for a while. Kids grow up and find partners of their own, and pretty soon there are brand-new in-laws. And a grandchild or two.

Revisiting My First Blog Post Ever — How the Selective Service Made a Man of My Son

February 18, 2016 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

The 1998 Selective Service pamphlet -- I left it at the post office.

The powers that be at the Selective Service System were after my son. Read more.

Kindergarten Looms for a 5-Year-Old and His Mom

February 11, 2016 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Peter, ready for his first day of kindergarten at Bentley School, September, 1986. Photo c 1986 B.F. Newhall

What is to become of a 5-year-old who won’t — can’t? — draw? This is not a frivolous question. Read more.

I’m Going to Be a Grandmother — Or Will I Be a Grannie? A Grandma? A Nana?

January 21, 2016 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

1943 summer Nana Georgie Morrison & Barbara Ann Falconer. Photo by DG Falconer

What shall I call myself? Something tried and true like Grandma, Grannie, Nana, or Grandmother Newhall? Or should I revive one of my childhood nicknames — Bobbie or Fanny? Read more.

The Baby Quilts Are Ready — Now All We Need Are the Babies

December 31, 2015 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Author Barbara Falconer Newhall with the four calico crazy quilts she designed for the four grandchildren she hopes she'll have. Photo by Jon Newhall

Grandchild No. One is due in February, and I’ve managed to finish the baby quilt in plenty of time . . . Make that four baby quilts. Read more.

I’m Thankful for Friends, Family, Pumpkin Pie and — It’s a Girl!

November 26, 2015 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Christina Newhall takes stuffing from 2013 Thanksgiving turkey. Dad Jon helps. Photo by Barbara Newhall

Eleven things I’m thankful for this season. And, once again, pumpkin pie and stuffing make the list. Read more.

She’s Shaved Her Head Bald — Is Our Daughter Headed for the Dark Side?

November 19, 2015 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

the top of the head of a pretty bald girl. Photo by Barbara Newahll

Christina had shaved her head bald. What was next? Multiple nose rings? Twelve-inch fingernails? Scarification? Crack cocaine? Read more.

Mom With Kids — The Home Office Blues

November 12, 2015 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

A 1986 home office with computer, crib, toddler and cat. Photo by Barbara Newhall

I liked being shoehorned into a 9-by-11-foot home office with three computers, a telephone, a cat, and a dear husband — most of the time. Read more.

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LET’S CONNECT

ON THE FUNNY SIDE

In Judge Harbin-Forte’s Courtroom — Where Jury Duty Is an Exercise in Mindfulness

David and Ruth Falconer of Scotville, MI, and their 7 childen ca 1935. Photo by Falconer

What does a farm family in Michigan have in common with a courtroom in Hayward, California? A nearly forgotten social skill. Read more.

MORE "ON THE FUNNY SIDE"

CATEGORIES

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

Pages in Hebrew and Aramaic from the Bleichrode Jewish prayer book published in 1923 in Franfurt. Photo by BF Newhall

A Case of the Human Condition: When a Young Mother Dies

fourth of july in pentwater michigan. people sit on curb awaiting the parade. photo by bf newhall

Photo Op: Pentwater, Michigan — A Small Town on a Big Lake

Little girl with broken arm & chicken pox marks. Photo by BF Newhall

Help! My Kids Aren’t Perfect After All

two women wearing 1960s Spirella Sarong girdle with sign "happiness is a flat tummy."

Mad Men Exposes the ’60s Girdle — But Will She Get It Off in Time?

MORE DON'T MISS!

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