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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.

A Dune on Lake Michigan: We Couldn’t Climb Eagle Top — So We Paid Homage From Afar

August 8, 2013 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

one- lane road into the woods in michigan with white pine and oak trees. photo by bf newhall

I emailed my cousin Jeanie. Did she want to visit some of our childhood haunts, like Eagle Top? Read more.

It’s August, But It’s Not Too Soon to Wonder — Can Christmas Be Christmas Without the Kids?

August 1, 2013 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

a happy woman finds a gift for herself in the christmas tree. photo by jon newhall

Christmas has gotten to be a scheduling nightmare. Peter lives in Minnesota. Christina lives in Southern California. Jon and I live in Northern California. That puts 400 miles between us and our daughter and 2,000 miles between us and our son. Not exactly over the river and through the woods. Read more.

A Forgotten Gift From My Teenaged Daughter — No Good After December 31

July 13, 2013 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

A three-by-five card on which a 12-year-old promises to yard work as a gift to her mother. Photo by BF Newhall

Look what reorganizing my stationery drawers turned up: Coupons from my then 13-year-old daughter Christina promising to do chores around the house — including yard work, for heaven’s sake. Read more.

The Mother-of-the-Groom Diaries: Snapping Pictures at My Son’s Wedding

June 13, 2013 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Handsome groom in tux, vest and tie with pink boutonniere before his wedding. Photo by BF Newhall

 

My trusty point and shoot goes with me everywhere these days. But for my son’s wedding I resolved to Be In The Moment and resist the temptation to digitize every last detail of my son’s big day. Read more.

The Mother-in-Law Diaries: A Groom’s Dinner at a Place Called the Bachelor Farmer

June 11, 2013 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

The Afghan Room at Minneapolis' Bachelor Farmer restaurant is covered with colorful afghans. A groom's dinner took place there in May, 2013. Photo by BF Newhall

 

The wedding ceremony was going to be a simple one, so there was no need for an actual rehearsal. But that didn’t mean we couldn’t have ourselves a rehearsal dinner. Read more.

The Mother-of-the-Groom Diaries: The Day Before the Big Day

June 8, 2013 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Bearded groom wearing purple necktie and vest with tux at Mens Wearhouse. Photo by BF Newhall

In a little more than twenty-four hours our son Peter would be a married man. But first, he and Jon had to pick up their wedding duds. My outfit was already hanging in the closet. Read more.

The Mother-of-the-Groom Diaries: They Did It. They Got Married

June 6, 2013 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

A Minneapolis bride and groom with a young cousin, May, 2013. Photo by BF NewhallThey pulled it off. They got married. They said their vows. They were pronounced husband and wife in Minneapolis on May 25.

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LET’S CONNECT

ON THE FUNNY SIDE

SXSW: The Funky Charms of East Austin, Texas

colorful mural decorates the front of a store in Austin TX selling books, T-shirts and CDs. And tattoos. Photo by BF Newhall

Deep in the heart of Texas is a neighborhood that has everything it takes to be a first-rate hipster haven — street art, food trucks, farmers markets, coffee shops, parks, affordable (so far) housing, artists’ studios, walkability — and, most important, a carefree, offbeat vibe. Read more.

MORE "ON THE FUNNY SIDE"

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  • 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!

Author Barbara Falconer Newhall manages a smile, despite the discomfort of a brand new intraocular lens. Photo by Barbara Falconer Newhall

The Cataract Chronicles — I’m Not Lovin’ My New IOL

white blossoms of flowering tree up close

Nature Giveth and Nature Taketh Away

Oakland-Tribune-column-Barbara-Falconer-Newhall

Writing Retreat Report — I Got Some Work Done. Thanks for Holding Me Accountable

a bookshelf of books from many religions, including buddhism, taoism, christianity, judaism and islam. Photo by Barbara Newhall

Coleman Barks and Rumi — What a Few Lines of Poetry (and a Witch) Taught me

MORE DON'T MISS!

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