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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

Widowed

Jon died unexpectedly at the age of 79. I thought we'd have many more years together. We won't.

Two Big Things to Do Before You Die (Your Dear Ones Will Thank You)

September 4, 2021 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 14 Comments

things to do before you die 1951-birthday-party

As I see it, there are two big, big things to do before you die. Take photos of yourself, lots of them. And write your own obituary. Read more.

Widowed: Dancing Makes Me Cry.

August 28, 2021 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 15 Comments

dancing makes me cry outdoor-dancing-studio

Dancing makes me cry. When I joined a Zumba class the other day, I stayed at the back of the class, because I knew there would be tears.  Read more.

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.

There’s a Dandelion Growing on My Grave

July 3, 2021 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 6 Comments

my grave cypress-lawn-cemetery-colma

We picked out a gravesite for Jon last month. And one for me. Jon’s grave was next to his sister’s. My grave had a dandelion growing on it.  Read more.

Widowed: 2020 Was a Very Good Year — For Jon and Me

June 26, 2021 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 14 Comments

j2020 was a very good year widowed on-and-barbara-newhall

2020 was a very good year for my husband and me. We had time for each other, and it seemed there was plenty more time ahead.  Read more.

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LET’S CONNECT

ON THE FUNNY SIDE

Making Friends — Trying To — With the Dread Serial Comma

Barbara Falconer Newhall in her writing room with book contract. Photo by Jon Newhall

My book contract says that I’m to deliver my book manuscript “in conformity with the provisions in ‘The Chicago Manual of Style.’” That means that, at long last, I’m finally going head-to-head with the serial comma. Read more.

MORE "ON THE FUNNY SIDE"

CATEGORIES

  • A Case of the Human Condition
  • My Ever-Changing Family
  • On Writing & Reading
  • 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 takes a class in Thai cooking in Bangkok and shows off his dish. Photo by Jon Newhall

Confessions of a So-So Wife: The Night I Forgot to Make Dinner

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Widowed: Where’s My Lead Pony?

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When Someone Dies, Send Flowers

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Writing Tips From a Famous Author — I Put on My Best Socks to Get Them

MORE DON'T MISS!

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