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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
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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."

When Someone Dies, Send Flowers

May 22, 2021 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

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

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

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.

A Hopeful Realist Is Keeping Me Company These Days

April 24, 2021 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

hopeful realist contemplates the pinwheel-galaxy-NASA

I like to think of Geoff Machin as a hard-headed realist. A hard-headed — hopeful — realist is just the right company for me these days. Read more.

My Husband Is Gone. But the Tree Trimmers Showed Up as Promised.

April 17, 2021 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

tree-trimmer-in-tree

My husband is gone. Does that mean I have to cancel the household projects we planned and dreamed of doing? Read more.

My Husband Died, and Denial and Distraction Are My Go-To States for Now

April 10, 2021 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

my-husband-died-so-I-hiked -at-chimney-rock

My husband of 44 years died seven weeks ago. So far, I’ve used denial and distraction to keep my mind off the silence.  Read more.

Widowed: Lucky Me, I Told Jon Newhall I Loved Him

March 13, 2021 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Jon Newhall makes dinner at the Newhall house. Photo by Barbara Newhall

Lucky me. I told my husband I loved him while he was still alive. Read more.

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LET’S CONNECT

ON THE FUNNY SIDE

A Case of the Human Condition: When Your Six-Year-Old Wants to Talk Money

A six-year-old talks money. Photo by Barbara Newhall

Our 6-year-old wanted an allowance. Jon and I debated: 50 cents a week? 75? “Let’s not talk in cents,” said Peter. “Let’s talk in dollars.” Read more.

MORE "ON THE FUNNY SIDE"

CATEGORIES

  • 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!

A copy of Barbara Falconer Newhall's paperback book Wrestling with God and the author. Photo by Barbara Newhall

It’s Here! A Copy of “Wrestling with God” Has Arrived

two pinkish white star magnolia blossoms. photo by BF Newhall

Writing the Personal Essay — Forget the Good, Go for the Bad and the Ugly

The Eric Hoffer Book Award is in honor of American working class philosopher Eric Hoffer

From the Eric Hoffer Book Award — More Kudos for ‘Wrestling with God’

father-and-newborn-son

Father’s Day vs. Mother’s Day — And Today’s Liberated Dads

MORE DON'T MISS!

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