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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 Rocky Spiritual Journey

You don't have to be a big believer to find something interesting to read here . . . You'll find excerpts from the spiritual journeys of people I've met on the religion beat as well as reports of my own fraught encounters with religion and spirituality . . . as well as updates on my book, "Wrestling with God: Stories of Doubt and Faith," from Patheos Press.

Do We Live in a Pointless Universe? I Need to Know

July 29, 2021 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 6 Comments

no-lifeguard-on-duty

The more comprehensible the universe seems, the more it seems a pointless universe, said Nobel laureate physicist, Steven Weinberg. Read more.

When a Widow Laughs. Or, a Backyard Work in Progress

July 24, 2021 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 4 Comments

widow laughs during BACKYARD-CONSTRUCTION-MESS

Standing in the mess that is our backyard, talking and laughing with the landscaping crew, I wonder: Is it OK when a widow laughs?  Read more.

Widowed: Her Stolen Car Came Back, but My Husband Didn’t . . . And All Shall Be Well?

July 17, 2021 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 11 Comments

my husband's office chair is empty, yet all shall be well

The same death that took Jesus took my husband. Can we say then that all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well?  Read more.

When Someone Dies, Send Flowers

May 22, 2021 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 15 Comments

tulips-condolences send flowers

My husband is dead. Forget “in lieu of.” I want the flowers.  Read more.

A Hopeful Realist Is Keeping Me Company These Days

April 24, 2021 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 15 Comments

hopeful realist contemplates the pinwheel-galaxy-NASA

I like to think of Geoff Machin as a hard-headed realist. A hard-headed — hopeful — realist is just the right company for me these days. Read more.

My Husband Died, and Denial and Distraction Are My Go-To States for Now

April 10, 2021 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 22 Comments

my-husband-died-so-I-hiked -at-chimney-rock

My husband of 44 years died seven weeks ago. So far, I’ve used denial and distraction to keep my mind off the silence.  Read more.

Jonathan Newhall. My Husband of Forty-Four Years

February 27, 2021 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 52 Comments

jonathan-newhall-obit

Friends and readers. I am so sad to report that my dear husband of 44 years, Jonathan Newhall, died last week. Here is his obituary. Read more.

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LET’S CONNECT

ON THE FUNNY SIDE

Help! My Dracena Marginata Has Hit the Ceiling — What Can I Do?

A dracena marginat houseplant has grown so tall that it is crushing itself against the homeowner's ceiling. Photo by Barbara Newhall

My dracena marginata is doing itself in. It’s hurling itself against our living room ceiling. What’s a plant owner to do? Please advise. Read more.

MORE "ON THE FUNNY SIDE"

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

 
Need some levity? Push my Funny Button!

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!

JON-NEWHALL

Widowed: The Things My Husband Wanted. (Or, We Are What We Want)

Cover of the book "Trump's America: The Complete Loser's Guide," by Scott Dikkers.

Jesus Was a Loser — Does That Make Donald Trump a Winner?

steph-curry

Jon Was a Sports Fan. Am I?

ten year old boy in baseball uniform catches the ball. Photo by Barbara Newhall

Superbowl: My Guys Are Talking Sports — And All Is Right With the World

MORE DON'T MISS!

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