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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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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."

It’s August, But It’s Not Too Soon to Wonder — Can Christmas Be Christmas Without the Kids?

August 1, 2013 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

a happy woman finds a gift for herself in the christmas tree. photo by jon newhall

Christmas has gotten to be a scheduling nightmare. Peter lives in Minnesota. Christina lives in Southern California. Jon and I live in Northern California. That puts 400 miles between us and our daughter and 2,000 miles between us and our son. Not exactly over the river and through the woods. Read more.

Yea! A Book Contract for “Wrestling with God”

July 25, 2013 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Writer Barbara Falconer Newhall in her writing room holding a copy of her book contract with Bondfire Books. Photo by Jon Newhall

Good news. I’ve signed a contract with a publisher for my book "Wrestling With God." The publisher is Bondfire Books in partnership with Patheos.com.

Wanted: An Evening Handbag That’s Pretty — And Big Enough to Do the Job

July 18, 2013 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

A small silver evening bag at Nordstrom with ruching and a chain sells for $268. Photo by BF Newhall

There’s no such thing as a presentable evening bag that can hold what a woman – a real one – needs to put into her purse these days. Read more.

A Forgotten Gift From My Teenaged Daughter — No Good After December 31

July 13, 2013 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

A three-by-five card on which a 12-year-old promises to yard work as a gift to her mother. Photo by BF Newhall

Look what reorganizing my stationery drawers turned up: Coupons from my then 13-year-old daughter Christina promising to do chores around the house — including yard work, for heaven’s sake. Read more.

When the Bride Doesn’t Wear White — And Neither Does Anyone Else

July 11, 2013 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Part of an orange and green sari and a purple sari at an Indian wedding in the San Francisco Bay Area. Photo by BF Newhall

It’s an Indian wedding with all the trimmings — drums, gongs, garlands of flowers, priestly blessings and flocks of women wearing gorgeous saris. I’m a Westerner. What do I wear? Read more.

The Windmills of Mason County — Blight or Art?

July 4, 2013 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

A wind turbine in the Lake Winds Energy Project towers above a painted shed in Mason County, Michigan. Photo by BF Newhall

When I heard about the new windmills, I resolved to take a look the next time I was in Michigan. Were they a noisy, ugly, menacing blight on the landscape? Or could they be interesting — attractive even? Read more.

An Episcopalian Says Kaddish for Her Jewish Aunt

June 27, 2013 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Brookside Cemetery in Amber Township, west of Scottville, MI. Headstones in foreground, farmland and busy Highway 10 in background. Photo by BF Newhall

 

My Aunt Grace, who died in January, was Jewish. Most everyone else in her family had remained Christian or had moved on to atheism, secularism or indifference. The question was, how does a bunch of Christians and agnostics say a parting prayer for a Jew? Read more.

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LET’S CONNECT

ON THE FUNNY SIDE

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

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.

MORE "ON THE FUNNY SIDE"

CATEGORIES

  • A Case of the Human Condition
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  • On Writing & Reading
  • My Rocky Spiritual Journey

 
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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!

jon-newhall-on-his-deck

Widowed: ‘What Is Grief, If Not Love Persevering?’

emergency-room-sign

Did Covid Kill My Husband? Was He ‘Collateral Damage’ of the Pandemic?

Alina, Vicki and Valerie with husband Joe Darger at the 2011 RNA conference.

Book Openers: Meet the Polygamist Family That Inspired TV’s “Big Love”

doctors-office-covid-measures

Five Years Ago This Month — Covid Shut Down Our World

MORE DON'T MISS!

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