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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."

Gun Safety — I’m Giving Up on the Cause. Here’s Why

October 14, 2017 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 1 Comment

Slashing government regulations. A crime? The scene of the Oakland Ghost Ship fire that killed 36 cordoned off as a "crime scene." Photo by Barbara Newhall

I give up. I’m not going to get on my soap box and plead for better gun safety laws any more. It’s up to gun advocates to get that job done..Read more.

A Totality Disappointment in St. Joseph, Missouri

August 24, 2017 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 1 Comment

A totality disappointment: An eclipse chaser lies on the ground for a better view of the total eclipse August, 2017, St. Joseph, MO. Photo by Barbara Newhall

We traveled 1700 miles to see the eclipse. The moon came between us and the sun, as promised. But so did a big fat cloud. A totality disappointment. Read more.

The Writing Room: Am I Stuck? Or Am I Just Taking a Little Housekeeping Break?

August 17, 2017 By Barbara Falconer Newhall Leave a Comment

Am I stuck as a writer? I'd rather watch this asphalt crew at work filling in gutter in front of my house. Photo by Barbara Newhall

Sitting at a blank laptop screen awaiting writerly inspiration isn’t that much fun nowadays. I’d rather watch the guys laying asphalt in front of our house. Am I stuck? Read more.

With a Little Luck You’ll Live Long Enough to Breed Flies in Your Attic

August 10, 2017 By Barbara Falconer Newhall Leave a Comment

Dead flies caught on sticky fly paper. They didn't live long. Photo by Barbara Newhall

Back in 1987 old age seemed a long ways away. It still does.  Read more.

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

July 27, 2017 By Barbara Falconer Newhall Leave a Comment

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.

The American Flag Is Flying in My Liberal, Elitist, San Francisco Bay Area Neighborhood Today. Here’s Why.

July 4, 2017 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 3 Comments

Stars and Stripes. A man hangs the American flag on the front of his house. Photo by Barbara Newhall

‘The right wingers don’t own the American flag flag,’ I said as my husband hung the Stars and Stripes from our garage. ‘It’s my flag too.’ Read more.

For One Night I Was Important Again. Thank You Armistead Maupin

June 22, 2017 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 3 Comments

I was important at the cast party for "The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin, San Francisco, June 15, 2017. Barbara Falconer Newhall and Jonathan Groff of TV show "Looking." Photo by Jon Newhall

At a party for “The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin” I discovered I was important enough to score quality time with the likes of Jonathan Groff. Read more.

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LET’S CONNECT

ON THE FUNNY SIDE

My Big Brother Loves Me — The Cataract Chronicles Continued

In 1962, when Barbara Falconer Newhall returned from summer in Europe with souvenirs for family. Barbara Newhall photo

When my big brother saw me without glasses for the first time in a half century, his reaction took me by surprise. Read more.

MORE "ON THE FUNNY SIDE"

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  • 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!

garden-before-remodel

An Unruly Garden Tamed at Last

Sue Mary Fox with the colorful calico crazy quilt she completed in her Berkeley studio for Barbara Falconer Newhall. Photo by Barbara Newhall

A Crazy-Making Crazy Quilt — Finished at Last

farmers-maret

We Are Pushing 80 — Do We Stay Out of Supermarkets? Sheltering at Home Day 5

condolence-cards

What Do You Say When Someone Dies?

MORE DON'T MISS!

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