• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • BLOG
  • WRESTLING WITH GOD BOOK
  • CONTACT

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."

I Finally Got to Go Shopping. Here’s How That Worked Out. Sheltering at Home Week 19

July 25, 2020 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

near-empty-store-shelf

After months of sheltering at home, I got in my car to do some actual brick-and-mortar shopping. A favorite retailer had other plans for me. Read more.

This Summer I’d Like to Travel to the Ends of — My Back Yard. Sheltering at Home Week 16

July 3, 2020 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

steep-garden-steps leading to my back yard

With COVID-19 cases spiking, it seems riskier than ever to travel. My back yard beckons — but our rickety garden stairs pose risks of their own. Read more.

Our New Digs — A Room-by-Room Video. Sheltering at Home. Week 16

July 2, 2020 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

room-by-room video two-slider-with-view

We took out that kitchen wall. We weren’t sure we’d like all that openness. Check out this room-by-room video and decide for yourself. Read more.

My Nasty New Hair Stylist Has Given Me a Cool New Look. Sheltering at Home Week 15

June 27, 2020 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

my nasty new hair stylist COVID-19-hairdo

My hair is getting really long, 4-plus inches, and kinda loose and sexy, thanks to my nasty new hair stylist, COVID-19. Am I done with the Judy Dench look?  Read more.

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

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

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

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.

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 33
  • Page 34
  • Page 35
  • Page 36
  • Page 37
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 86
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

GET MY Riffs on Life BY EMAIL

True stories often told through a humorous lens–because you just can't make them up!

We respect your privacy and do not share your email with anyone.

 

LET’S CONNECT

ON THE FUNNY SIDE

The Fine Art of Writerly Procrastination

barbara-falconer-newhall-columnist-oakland-tribune

Without an editor to set a deadline for me, the days pass merrily along as I practice the fine art of writerly procrastination.  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!

deck-awaiting-fence

Hallelujah! Our Porta-Potty Is Back. Construction Work Resumes. Sheltering at Home Week 8

A photo taken probably 1962, when Barbara returned from summer in Europe with souvenirs for family. Barbara Newhall photo

My Big Brother Loves Me — The Cataract Chronicles Continued

Close up of a blossom of fiireweed on a San Juan Island in Washington. Photo by Barbara Newhall

A Patch of Fireweed in the Northwest — What Color Are Those Blossoms? Do I Need to Know?

1960s-peace-flag

My Old Stuff — A Little Moldy, a Little Dusty, but Unlike Certain People It’s Still With Me

MORE DON'T MISS!

© 2009–2026 Barbara Falconer Newhall All rights reserved. · Log in