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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 Called Tech Support and Got Ageism

February 5, 2022 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

samsung-galaxy-s21-ultra i called tech support and got ageism

I called tech support and got ageism. ‘Why don’t you get someone younger to help you?’ said the otherwise very nice techie. Read more.

Is There an Upside to Widowhood? I’m Looking at the Possibilities

January 22, 2022 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Melissa-Orme-painting

Now that Jon is gone, I am keeping an eye out for reasons to like going it alone. I’m wondering, are there any upsides to widowhood?  Read more.

Widowed: Did He Die in Anguish?

January 15, 2022 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

did he die in anguish at alta-bates-summit-medical-center

No, Jon did not suffer. He did not die in anguish. It was over quickly, she said. Before he knew what was happening.  Read more.

Widowed: Advice From Beyond the Grave — Party On!

January 8, 2022 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

wedding-shower-gifts advice from a dead husband

How to mark the anniversary of Jon’s death? A visit to the cemetery seemed in order. Then along came some advice from my dead husband.  Read more.

Wishing You a Hope-y New Year

January 1, 2022 By Barbara Falconer Newhall


hope-y new year times-square-new-years

Hope-y New Year! Here’s to a hope-filled 2022. Not because hope will solve the climate crisis or end the culture wars. But just . . . because.  Read more.

Widowed: Life Goes On — And Some of Us Still Like It

December 18, 2021 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

life goes on, as with this crocosmia-sprouting-through-a-deck Like it or not, life goes on. Our 101-year-old family friend had picked up the phone to check on me. If that’s not liking life, what is?   Read more.

Widowed: Or, How to Wrestle a Christmas Tree Into Its Stand Without Calling the Neighbors for Help

December 11, 2021 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

watering-the-Christmas-tree

The kids are coming for Christmas. A tree is in order. But how’s an newly minted widow to wrestle a Christmas tree into its stand on her own?  Read more.

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LET’S CONNECT

ON THE FUNNY SIDE

Oakland Tribune: The Trib Is Dead, Long Live the Tribbers

On April 4, 2016, former employees of the Oakland, California, Tribune, had a wake in honor of the paper's last day of publication. Photos by Barbara Newhall

The Oakland Tribune is dead. But dozens of Trib staffers live on. On the California paper’s last day, they gathered for a wake. Read more.

MORE "ON THE FUNNY SIDE"

CATEGORIES

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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!

mary-jane-flats-eitheror

Spotted: Red Mary Janes at the Easter Vigil

Writer Barbara Falconer Newhall wears a khaki Mao hat with numerous Mao buttons in Beijing. Photo by BF Newhall

Xi’An to TX and Mao to LBJ — I’ve Been Traveling and I’m Back

A purple bearded iris blossom. Photo by BF Newhall

Purple Bearded Irises — Close Up and (Very) Personal

secret-garden-space

Widowed: I’m Planting a Secret Garden Outside My Office

MORE DON'T MISS!

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