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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."

Widowed, I’m Staying Put. And So Are My Bricks

June 19, 2021 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 19 Comments

brick-pavers-atlas

I’m widowed, but I’m staying put for now. Also staying put are the charming old bricks in our backyard staircase.  Read more.

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.

The Kids Are Coming for a Visit. No Time to Write

June 5, 2021 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 10 Comments

my kids are coming for a visit

My grown-up kids are coming for a visit this week. There will be just the three of us Peter, Christina and I.  Read more.

My Husband Passed Away and Took the Encyclopedia With Him

May 29, 2021 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 10 Comments

my-husband-passed-away

When my husband passed away, he took the family encyclopedia with him. Fun facts, handy info, and beloved family stories went with him.  Read more.

When Someone Dies, Send Flowers

May 22, 2021 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 15 Comments

tulips-condolences send flowers

My husband is dead. Forget “in lieu of.” I want the flowers.  Read more.

Not Enough Rain. Not Enough Stories About My Husband

May 8, 2021 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 16 Comments

not enough stories about my husband. not enough rain. California-Grapevine-2014-drought

I wish I’d written more stories about my husband. But he was a good guy, and our marriage didn’t generate a lot of bloggable drama.   Read more.

Would My Husband Like to Take My Name?

May 1, 2021 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 4 Comments

add my name to his? jon-and-barbara-newhall-get-married

My fiance had no middle name. When we married, I asked, would he like to take my name to fill the empty spot in the middle of his? Read more.

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LET’S CONNECT

ON THE FUNNY SIDE

A Book of Essays From Cartoonist Cathy Guisewite — Did She Write It or Did I? Sheltering at Home Week 26

Cathy-Guisewite-cover-subtitle

Cathy Guisewite’s thoughts about life in “Fifty Things That Aren’t My Fault” look a lot like the thoughts running around in my own brain. 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!

man-hanging-a-quilt

How to Hang a Quilt — We Did It Our Way. Sheltering at Home Week 36

ink-stain-in-an-old-desk-drawer

My Mother’s Writing Desk Is Not My Writing Desk. Here’s Why

charity-donations

My Deceased Husband’s Mail — I Like Getting It

A pretty girl, Christina Newhall, has shaved her head bald and still looks pretty. Photo by Tim Beedle

She’s Shaved Her Head Bald — Is Our Daughter Headed for the Dark Side?

MORE DON'T MISS!

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