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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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grief

My Husband Passed Away and Took the Encyclopedia With Him

May 29, 2021 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

my-husband-passed-away

When my husband passed away, he took the family encyclopedia with him. Fun facts, handy info, and beloved family stories went with him.  Read more.

When Someone Dies, Send Flowers

May 22, 2021 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

tulips-condolences send flowers

My husband is dead. Forget “in lieu of.” I want the flowers.  Read more.

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

April 17, 2021 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

tree-trimmer-in-tree

My husband is gone. Does that mean I have to cancel the household projects we planned and dreamed of doing? Read more.

My Husband Died, and Denial and Distraction Are My Go-To States for Now

April 10, 2021 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

my-husband-died-so-I-hiked -at-chimney-rock

My husband of 44 years died seven weeks ago. So far, I’ve used denial and distraction to keep my mind off the silence.  Read more.

At the Hallmark Store — Teary-Eyed in the Sympathy Card Section

August 14, 2014 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

condolence cards in a Hallmark Store rack. Photo by Barbara Newhall

I keep a stash of greeting cards in my desk — birthday and anniversary cards to send to sisters-in-law, brothers, nephews and nieces as the dates come up. But that’s not what I needed on a recent afternoon. I needed sympathy cards. Two of them. Read more.

Death Is the Only Guarantee

May 8, 2009 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Olompali State Historic Park, CA, trees dying against a blue sky. Photo by Barbara Newhall.

Our bodies should be more like our cars. When a car fails, we can trade it in for a new one, but not our bodies. Some of my friends’ bodies are failing them at a very young age. Read more.

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LET’S CONNECT

ON THE FUNNY SIDE

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

A six-year-old boy dressed as a cowboy for halloween. Photo by Barbara Newhall

My six-year-old wanted an allowance. Jon and I debated. Fifty cents a week? 75? “Let’s not talk in cents,” said Peter. “Let’s talk in dollars.” 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!

 

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