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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
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  • MY ROCKY SPIRITUAL JOURNEY
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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."

The Lights Are On. But the Guests Have Yet to Arrive. Sheltering in (Our Brand New) Place. Week 15

June 23, 2020 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 6 Comments

brand-new-place-crate-and-barrel-pendant-lights

See the renovated details of our brand new place. Lighting. Millwork. Floors. All designed to wecome guests who, sadly, won’t be coming by any time soon.  Read more.

The Lost Art of the Telephone Conversation — Here’s What Happened to It. Sheltering at Home Week 14

June 19, 2020 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 2 Comments

the lost art of the telephone conversation

I know why young people do all that texting. It’s because 21st-century wireless phones make for a lousy telephone conversation, and kids want to — talk. Read more.

Hey, HGTV Fans. Take a Look at Our Remodel — It’s Finally Done. Sheltering in Place Week 14

June 18, 2020 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 11 Comments

remodel-kitchen-wall-like-HGTV

Our kitchen wall is gone, and our new space is beautiful. You won’t see it featured on HGTV. But Jon and I will be seeing it every day from now on. Read more.

Grandparenting Via Webcam — Helping Out Those Frazzled Parents. Sheltering a Home Week 13

June 11, 2020 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 2 Comments

babysitting-via-webcam

Babysitting via webcam: The grandchildren are sheltering at home with their frazzled mom and dad. Can grandparents give parents a break from afar? Read more.

Our Remodel Has Kept Us Company — We’ll Miss the Carpenters, the Electricians and the Pile Drivers. Sheltering at Home Week 11

May 28, 2020 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 2 Comments

our remodel has kept us company

With the coronavirus sequestering us at home, our remodel has kept us company. It’s brought living, breathing — masked — people into our house. Read  more.

I’m Bored. No, It’s Worse Than That. I’m Boring. Sheltering at Home Week 10

May 24, 2020 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 2 Comments

I'm boring. But I haven't always been. old-woman-pole-dancing

I’d love to chat with the neighbor I spot on the street. But nothing’s happening in my locked-down life. I’ve got no gossip, no big news. I’m boring. Read more.

My Pretty New Clothes — Shall I Just Wear Them Around the House? Sheltering at Home Week 10

May 21, 2020 By Barbara Falconer Newhall Leave a Comment

pretty-new-clothes

My pretty new clothes. I bought them last fall. They’re just hanging in my closet. Shall I take them out and wear them to scrub pots and deadhead azaleas? Read more.

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ON THE FUNNY SIDE

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

the top of the head of a pretty bald girl. Photo by Barbara Newahll

Christina had shaved her head bald. What was next? Multiple nose rings? Twelve-inch fingernails? Scarification? Crack cocaine? Read more.

MORE "ON THE FUNNY SIDE"

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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!

Ceramic cake by Richard Shaw -- "Bride and Ship, 2003." Photo by BF Newhall

Ceramics Envy at the Berkeley Art Center — I Want to Get My Hands into that Earthy, Messy, Squishy Clay

Hauling-branches

An Urban Oasis: Keeping It Wild — And Fire Resistant

cartoonist Cathy Guisewite's new book, "Fifty Thing That Aren't My Fault," arrived in my mailbox yesterday. Can't wait to read it. Photo by Barbara Newhall

Cathy Guisewite: I Can’t Wait to Spend Time With This Funny, Wise Lady

Searching for a dress for an aunt to wear to wear to a niece's wedding. this blue spandexy ones was at nordstrom. by Eliza J. $104.90. Photo by Barbara Newhall

Wedding Wear: The Aunt Wore Black

MORE DON'T MISS!

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