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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
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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."

Visions of the Baby Jesus Light Up Centuries of Art

December 24, 2015 By Barbara Falconer Newhall Leave a Comment

Madona and child painting. The Cologne cathedral. churches. mary. madonna. Housed in the Lady Chapel, this is the Dombild by Stefan Lochner, a local painter early 15th century. Photo by Barbara Newhall

The Baby Jesus. Far away and long ago a baby was born, one who has inspired centuries of artists — and lights up the dark days of winter. Read more.

Holiday Gifts: Fun, Funky Fiber Art — Woolly Scarves, and Down and Dirty Angels

December 17, 2015 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 1 Comment

Cordelia De Vere's fiber art doll, "Vintage Angel #3." As she healed from cancer, her dolls became more light-filled. Photo by Barbara Newhall

Funky Gifts: Fiber art gets earthy these days in Berkeley, where even angels can get down and dirty. Read more.

The Cataract Chronicles: I’ll Be Seeing Me

December 3, 2015 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 5 Comments

Author Barbara Falconer Newhall takes a photo of herself without glasses before cataract surgery to see what she'll look like. Photo by Barbara Newhall

One of the perks of having lots of years under your belt is that one fine day you get to have your cataracts done — and you get your old face back. Read more.

I’m Thankful for Friends, Family, Pumpkin Pie and — It’s a Girl!

November 26, 2015 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 4 Comments

Christina Newhall takes stuffing from 2013 Thanksgiving turkey. Dad Jon helps. Photo by Barbara Newhall

Eleven things I’m thankful for this season. And, once again, pumpkin pie and stuffing make the list. Read more.

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

November 19, 2015 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 6 Comments

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.

Mom With Kids — The Home Office Blues

November 12, 2015 By Barbara Falconer Newhall Leave a Comment

A 1986 home office with computer, crib, toddler and cat. Photo by Barbara Newhall

I liked being shoehorned into a 9-by-11-foot home office with three computers, a telephone, a cat, and a dear husband — most of the time. Read more.

My First Royalty Check Has Arrived — How Cool Is That?

November 5, 2015 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 9 Comments

Barbara Falconer Newhall's book "Wrestling with God" is on display on a counter in A Great Good Place for Books bookstore in Oakland California. Photo by Barbara Newha

Hey! Hey! My very first royalty check has arrived. It’s not big bucks, but it’s real. Read more.

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ON THE FUNNY SIDE

Six Ways to Look Dreadful at Your Daughter’s Wedding — A Mother-of-the-Bride Moment

A mother of the bride tries on dresses to cover her figure flaws -- flabby arms, wobbly neck and falling bustline. Photo by Barbara Newhall

The mother of the bride faces up to the figure flaws she’ll be taking to her daughter’s wedding: wobbly neck, flabby arms, descending bustline . . . and more. Read more.

MORE "ON THE FUNNY SIDE"

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  • A Case of the Human Condition
  • My Ever-Changing Family
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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!

Belief Is Seriously Overrated — You Don’t Have to Be a Believer to Believe

telephone-wires

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

connecticut-blue-stone-patio

Our New Patio — We’ve Added a Another Room to Our House. Sheltering at Home Week 33

woman's-eyes

My Coronavirus Nightmare — I’m in a Crowd of People and I Forgot My Mask. Sheltering at Home Week 9

MORE DON'T MISS!

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