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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."

Older, but Wiser? Or, When Life Gives You Lemons, Freeze Them

July 5, 2025 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

older-but-wiser-or-when-life-gives-you-lemons-freeze-them

Older, but wiser? Maybe. We elders can’t give you wisdom, but we can give you some tips, like when life gives you lemons, freeze them.  Read more.

I Like My Past. It’s a Keeper

June 28, 2025 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

i like my past it's a keeper little-boys-drawing-of-home

We are instructed by the wise ones among us to live in the present. But I like my past. It’s a keeper and I like visiting it from time to time.  Read more.

I’m Opting for a No-Bathtub House. Here’s Why

June 14, 2025 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

no-bathtub-house tubz-tub-showroom

It was time to get real. I was 83 years old. Could my creaky knees get me into a bathtub? Could they get me out? I’m going to like my new, no-bathtub house.  Read more.

Too Many Angry Diatribes. Not Enough Tact. Why?

June 7, 2025 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Too any angry diatribes. Not enough tact. Why? please-slow-down-sign

On the air and in cyberspace: too many angry diatribes, not enough tact. Do we — you and I — really want to tone things down?  Read more.

My Husband Was Bald — And Then He Wasn’t

May 31, 2025 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

jon-newhall-1968

With the covid shutdown, Jon stopped going to the hairdresser. Soon he wasn’t as bald as we thought he was.  Read more.

My Days Are Numbered — And So Are My Minutes

May 24, 2025 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

clock-12:01

My days are numbered, so I’ve decided to be miserly about how I spend what’s left of them.  Read more.

I Was Young and Single for Way Too Long — Why?

May 17, 2025 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

I-was-young-and-single-for-way-too-long-why? have-him-at-hello-sticker-greenwald

I was young and single for way too long. Why? Could a book I spotted at an airport bookstore finally give me some answers?  Read more.

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LET’S CONNECT

ON THE FUNNY SIDE

SXSW: The Funky Charms of East Austin, Texas

colorful mural decorates the front of a store in Austin TX selling books, T-shirts and CDs. And tattoos. Photo by BF Newhall

Deep in the heart of Texas is a neighborhood that has everything it takes to be a first-rate hipster haven — street art, food trucks, farmers markets, coffee shops, parks, affordable (so far) housing, artists’ studios, walkability — and, most important, a carefree, offbeat vibe. 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!

Widowed: If I Visit His Grave, Will It Help?

tree-trimmer-in-tree

My Husband Is Gone. But the Tree Trimmers Showed Up as Promised.

Airbnb it is not: Candlewyck House B&B, Pentwater, MI. Barbara Falconer Newhall travels up and down Michigan's lower peninsula, visiting friends and family and putting on book events for "Wrestling with God."

Airbnb — When a Home Away From Home Gets Way Too Homey

old-woman-pole-dancing

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

MORE DON'T MISS!

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