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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."

Our New Honeycomb Shades: Out of Sight. Out of Mind. Sheltering at Home Week 47

February 6, 2021 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

honeycomb-shades

Our lush draperies are gone — replaced by minimalist honeycomb shades that stay out of sight when retracted. That’s the way we like it.  Read more.

Writing Tips From a Famous Author — I Put on My Best Socks to Get Them

January 22, 2021 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

balega-socks famous author class

I’ve got years of writing experience to my credit. Why in the world would I spiff myself up to take a writing class from that famous author?  Read more.

The Homeless — What They Really Need From Us (A Little PB&J, a Lot of Love)

January 16, 2021 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

making-sandwiches-for-homeless

Their mission trip to Texas cancelled by the pandemic, the youth of a church in California turned to making PB&J sandwiches for the homeless.  Read more.

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

January 9, 2021 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

this-scary-week

I didn’t want to write about that man. I wanted him out of my life and my psyche. Then he did what he did this scary week.  Read more.

Christmas — It Ain’t Over Till the Wise Men Show

January 2, 2021 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

three-wise-men

Christmas isn’t over till the Wise Men show up. So for folks who still aren’t ready for Christmas, no problem. They’ve got till January 6.  Read more.

I’m Getting Ready to Die. Just in Case. Sheltering at Home Week 40

December 19, 2020 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

getting-ready-to-die-    Christmas-gifts

The coronavirus is out there. So I’m getting ready to die — starting with making sure my holiday gifts for my husband are wrapped and ready.  Read more.

The Truth Behind That Happy Family Photo We Just Sent You. Sheltering at Home Week 39

December 12, 2020 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

happy-family-photo family-christmas-photo

We’re nothing like that happy family photo we send with our holiday card each year. Our photo rejects reveal we are a testy, scrappy lot.  Read more.

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LET’S CONNECT

ON THE FUNNY SIDE

Mother-of-the-Bride Dress: What, Oh, What Do I Wear to My Daughter’s Wedding?

smoke blue mother-of-the-bride dress. Photo by Barbara Newhall
Figure flaws? I’m going to wear them proudly — with the help of just the right mother-of-the-bride dress. Here are my final four choices. Read more.

MORE "ON THE FUNNY SIDE"

CATEGORIES

  • A Case of the Human Condition
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  • On Writing & Reading
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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 lava rock steppingstone garden path. Photo by BF Newhall

I’m Thankful For a Clean Oven, Fresh Ice Cubes . . . and a Daughter-in-Law-to-Be

An older woman tries on dresses for her daughter's wedding day. Photo by Barbara Newhall

Mother-of-the-Bride Dress: What, Oh, What Do I Wear to My Daughter’s Wedding?

violet pansy blossom with green edges. Purple Rain. Photo by Barbara Newhall

My Purple Rain Garden: Is the Universe Trying to Tell Me Something?

Farmers-market

Widowed: Who Will Look After Me Now That Jon Is Gone?

MORE DON'T MISS!

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