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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

DON'T MISS!

I've written hundreds and hundreds of posts over the years. To help you find your way to the best of the best, I've tagged my favorites "Don't Miss!" Scroll down here to find them.

Another way to locate Riffs on Life that you might enjoy is to click above on your favorite category – "My Ever-Changing Family," perhaps, or "Funny Button." You can also use the search box located way up top to hunt for stories by topic. There's fun reading at "garden," "aging," "kids" and, of course, "Jon."

The Truth About Widows — We Cry a Lot

March 26, 2022 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 20 Comments

plaid-nightshirt

We widows cry a lot. But sometime I stop and ask myself, why am I crying? Am I mourning his life — or mine?  Read more.

Widowed, I Celebrated His Birthday With Cupcakes

March 19, 2022 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 10 Comments

widowed celebrating his birthday two-birthday-cupcakes

Widowed, I celebrated his birthday without him — with two birthday cupcakes, one for him and one for me. Because there were still two of us.  Read more.

Beware. The Decluttering Craze Could Leave You Holding the Designer Handbag.

March 12, 2022 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 9 Comments

satsuma-lamp decluttering

Everybody’s decluttering, including my friends and family, and sometimes other people’s unwanted stuff ends up on my doorstep.  Read more.

Widowed: Our Love Is Immortal (Seriously!)

March 5, 2022 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 10 Comments

wedding-vows

Jon may be gone, but our love is immortal. Hear me out. I promise I’m not going to get all cheesy and sentimental on you.  Read more.

Widowed: It’s Been a Year and He’s Still Gone

February 26, 2022 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 20 Comments

widowed It's been a year and he's still gone gravestone-jon-newhall

Yes, I am widowed — it’s been a year and he’s still gone. But I keep thinking he’ll be back any minute.  Read more.

Dying. It’s What We Do These Days

February 19, 2022 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 12 Comments

dying it's what we do these days Dave-McQueen-Zodiac jon newhall

I see that it’s not going to let up, this dying thing. I’m 80 years old now. I’m getting older and so are all my friends.  Read more.

Grievance and Outrage — Good in Small Doses

February 12, 2022 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 12 Comments

mouth-of- grievance and outrage

Grievance and outrage have soured American discourse, public and private, for the past five years. And, yes, I find that outrageous. Read more.

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LET’S CONNECT

ON THE FUNNY SIDE

Widowed: The Superman at My House

the superman at my house Actor-christopher-dennis-superman

The Superman we spotted on Hollywood Boulevard was gorgeous. But Jon, my husband, was the man for me. He was the Superman at my house.  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!

camellias-this-week

This Scary Week I’m Writing About Camellias. Here’s Why

Copy of a jury duty summons and juror badge superior court of california. Photo by BF Newhall

In Judge Harbin-Forte’s Courtroom — Where Jury Duty Is an Exercise in Mindfulness

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

A dark hallway in a 1950s California ranch house obscures the beautiful canyon view available in the living room. Photo by Barbara Newhall

Too Many Walls — and Not Enough Bathrooms — at Our House

MORE DON'T MISS!

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