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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.

Evil, Forgiveness and Reconciliation — What Do Those Words Mean?

October 28, 2023 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Moor-slaughtered-by-St-James

Today I’m taking a deep dive into the philosophical weeds, asking what we mean by the words evil, forgiveness and reconciliation.  Read more.

I’m Old. And Here’s What I Like About That

October 21, 2023 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

I'm old king-ferdinand-II-Leon

I’m old. And what I like most about that is — I’m not in the thick of things anymore. I don’t have to be. I’ve got other things to do.  Read more.

Is Hamas Evil? Is Anybody Evil? Am I? Are You?

October 14, 2023 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

joe-biden-speaks-Is-anybody-evil

Is anybody truly evil? Is Hamas? Am I? Are you? Or are we humans evolved — created? — to be sometimes kind, sometimes cruel?  Read more.

We Humans Are Ineffable

September 23, 2023 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

toddlers-1941

People are a little like God. You know who they are, but that “who” can’t be captured or summed up in words. We humans are ineffable.  Read more.

Widowed: Where’s My Lead Pony?

September 9, 2023 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

antler-bar

A lead pony is the seasoned horse who escorts a anxious racehorse to the gate, exerting a calming presence. I’m widowed. Where’s my lead pony?  Read more.

Widowed: Yes, It Does Get Easier, Sad to Say

September 2, 2023 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

widowed-yes-it-gets-easier-sad-to-say jon-newhall-1997

Does life ever get easier for the widowed? Yes, it does, sad to say. For some, the fading of that intense grief feels like yet another loss.  Read more.

The Question of Flowers: Are They — Are We — Works of Art?

August 19, 2023 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

are-we-works-of-art westcountry-towering-inferno-lupine

Flowers, by their very nature, never seem troubled to me, or even ruffled. Area they — are we — works of art?  Read more.

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LET’S CONNECT

ON THE FUNNY SIDE

We’re Having a — Merry — Christmas Without the Kids This Year

A young woman carves the Thanksgiving turkey in the kitchen. Photo by BF Newhall

Christmas has gotten to be a scheduling nightmare in our family. 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 1600 miles between us and our son and daughter-in-law. Not exactly over the river and through the woods. Read more.

MORE "ON THE FUNNY SIDE"

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  • A Case of the Human Condition
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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!

The hills of California's Grapevine pass are dry and silvery gold in the drought winter of 2014. Photo by BF Newhall

For Wetter, For Drier — I’m Married to California

COVID-19-hairdo

My Nasty New Hair Stylist Has Given Me a Cool New Look. Sheltering at Home Week 15

jon-newhall-on-his-deck

Widowed: ‘What Is Grief, If Not Love Persevering?’

alstromeria-inticancha-Indian-summer

Widowed: ‘Let Us Tend Our Garden’

MORE DON'T MISS!

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