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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
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On Writing & Reading

Here you'll find author profiles as well as mini – and not-so-mini – book reviews. I’m a writer who loves to talk about writing, so if you like to write I hope you’ll stop by now and then for some writing tips and to chat about the writing life.

Widowed: John Donne, Meet Leonard Cohen — And Send Us a Song, Please, From the Mystery Beyond

February 11, 2023 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 8 Comments

leonard-cohen-documentary

I’ve spent evenings with songwriter Leonard Cohen and gone to bed with poet John Donne. I want to say, ‘John Donne, meet Leonard Cohen.’ Read more.

‘It’s Not My Jam’ — Is Not My Jam. Of Course, It Isn’t. I’m 81 Years Old, for Heaven’s Sake

February 4, 2023 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 12 Comments

community-of-writers

People in the know were saying, ‘It’s not my jam.’ A product of the 20th century, I was sticking to, ‘It’s not my cup of tea.’  Read more.

Betty Rollin on How to Talk to a Widow

December 3, 2022 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 10 Comments

Betty Rollin on what to say to a widow. I say ask her about her new rock-garden-path

Betty Rollin on how to talk to a widow: Betty says don’t assume she’s over it just because a year has gone by. I say, ask me about my garden. Read more.

Widowed: ‘Let Us Tend Our Garden’

November 12, 2022 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 4 Comments

let-us-tend-our-garden pussy-paws-plant-california

Translating Voltaire for my backyard: “We must cultivate our garden,” feels bossy and rife with certitude. I prefer, “Let us tend our garden.”  Read more.

Post Roe v. Wade: Five Women Talk About How the Abortion Issue Impacted Their Lives

August 6, 2022 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 2 Comments

post roe v. wade up-in-arms-poster

Five women writers reflect on their experiences with abortion before, during and post Roe v. Wade at an upcoming event in San Francisco.  Read more.

A Week With Fellow Writers — Surprising Me With Gifts

July 30, 2022 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 12 Comments

[caption id="attachment_36196" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]communityi-of-writers-2022 We writers go to workshops, manuscripts in hand, hoping to get helpful feedback from our fellow writers. Sometimes we get more than we hoped.  Read more.[/caption]

Drumroll! I’ve Just Written My 600th Blog Post.

June 12, 2021 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 10 Comments

my 600th blog poast

Here’s my 600th post on a blog that’s seen me through births, deaths, a major house remodel, a pandemic, and some dark nights of the soul.  Read more.

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ON THE FUNNY SIDE

My Pretty New Clothes — Shall I Just Wear Them Around the House? Sheltering at Home Week 10

pretty-new-clothes

My pretty new clothes. I bought them last fall. They’re just hanging in my closet. Shall I take them out and wear them to scrub pots and deadhead azaleas? 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!

 

DON’T MISS!

japanese-anemone-close-up

My Front Yard — It’s a Happening Place

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

Kids Who Cheat. And Those Who Don’t

cartoonist Cathy Guisewite's new book, "Fifty Thing That Aren't My Fault," arrived in my mailbox yesterday. Can't wait to read it. Photo by Barbara Newhall

Cathy Guisewite: I Can’t Wait to Spend Time With This Funny, Wise Lady

A greeting card with embossed and stamped poppies, blank inside by Emeryville, CA, printer Paula Skene Designs. Photo by BF Newhall

At the Hallmark Store — Teary-Eyed in the Sympathy Card Section

MORE DON'T MISS!

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