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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
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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.

Buddhist Teacher Jack Kornfield on Sex, Drugs and Enlightenment

September 22, 2012 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 3 Comments

mt tamalpais marin county CA with blue sky

Want to know more about the sex lives of Buddhist teachers in America? Are you considering downing some ecstasy or a bit of mushroom to fast-track your spiritual growth? Wondering about that person in the meditation hall who seems to be having a psychotic break? Check out Jack Kornfield’s book.

My Mother’s Goneness

May 13, 2012 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 2 Comments

Small tweed and leather purse. Photo by BF Newhall

My mother is gone, but when she died, she left a few things behind — a battered old purse, a small sofa she liked to call the loveseat. Read more.

To Finish My Book I Need a Muslim Woman With a Story to Tell

April 2, 2012 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 3 Comments

[caption id="attachment_10985" align="aligncenter" width="500"]Berkeley CA artist Salma-Arastu with her painting Expansion of the universe. Photo by BF Newhall Berkeley CA artist Salma-Arastu with her painting “Expansion of the Universe.” Photo by BF Newhall[/caption]

I still need to find myself a few more people to interview for my book. A nice, talky Muslim woman, for one. Read more.

In My Rain-Battered Garden — Nothing Is Forever, Not Even Those Poppies

March 31, 2012 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 4 Comments

I mucked around in the soil beneath this blue beauty, but I couldn't find the Annie's Annuals ID stick. Anybody know what it is? Photos by Barbara Falconer Newhall

St. Jerome kept a human skull on his desk to remind him of his mortality. We gardeners don’t need a skull . We’ve got stuff dying on us every day. Read more.

Why Meditate — When I Could Be Sweeping the Garage?

January 24, 2012 By Barbara Falconer Newhall Leave a Comment

Jon Newhall sitting on our deck quietly, seen through a window, with trees. Photo by Barbara Falconer Newhall
I’ve tried meditating a few times – a very few times. I’m well read on the subject, however. Indeed, I’ve spent way more time reading about meditation than I’ve spent doing it.

GodsBigBlog: What Ever Happened to God?

January 10, 2012 By Barbara Falconer Newhall Leave a Comment

The category GodsBigBlog is now called My Rocky Spiritual Journey.

At Tuolumne — Celebrating Getting Born

December 3, 2011 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 8 Comments

Celebrating my 70th birthday with friends at Tuolemne Meadows. Barbara Newhall photo

Turning 70 was way better than turning 8 — because I spent the day at Yosemite’s beautiful Tuolemne Meadows with friends. Read more.

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LET’S CONNECT

ON THE FUNNY SIDE

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

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.

MORE "ON THE FUNNY SIDE"

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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!

 

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

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An austere floral design of calas and leaves reflects Robert Motherwell's painting, "At five in the Afternoon, 1950," at the Bouquets to Art show at the de Young. Photo by BF Newhall

The de Young This Week: Bursting With Art — And Flowers

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