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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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ON THE FUNNY SIDE

Need some levity? Read on!

Photo Op: Pentwater, Michigan — A Small Town on a Big Lake

August 29, 2013 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 9 Comments

North Hancock Street, Pentwater, Michigan, with shops, flags and trees. Photo by BF Newhall

When I was a kid, Pentwater was not the place to be. The place to be was on the beach or in the woods with the wild critters. But now that I am thoroughly grown up, I’m preferring the charms of Pentwater village to the toads and grasshoppers of my 9-year-old self. Read more.

Los Angeles — The Good, the Bad and the Truly Ugly

August 15, 2013 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 4 Comments

ten lanes of bumper to bumper freeway traffic in los angeles. photo by bf newhall

Los Angeles is an awful place. It is 469 square miles of bumper to bumper traffic, sinus clogging air pollution, starless nights and unrelenting summer sun . . . Read more.

A Dune on Lake Michigan: We Couldn’t Climb Eagle Top — So We Paid Homage From Afar

August 8, 2013 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 2 Comments

one- lane road into the woods in michigan with white pine and oak trees. photo by bf newhall

I emailed my cousin Jeanie. Did she want to visit some of our childhood haunts, like Eagle Top? Read more.

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 8 Comments

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.

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

July 18, 2013 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 8 Comments

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 8 Comments

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.

The Mother-of-the-Groom Diaries: Snapping Pictures at My Son’s Wedding

June 13, 2013 By Barbara Falconer Newhall 6 Comments

Handsome groom in tux, vest and tie with pink boutonniere before his wedding. Photo by BF Newhall

 

My trusty point and shoot goes with me everywhere these days. But for my son’s wedding I resolved to Be In The Moment and resist the temptation to digitize every last detail of my son’s big day. Read more.

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LET’S CONNECT

ON THE FUNNY SIDE

Two Big Things to Do Before You Die (Your Dear Ones Will Thank You)

things to do before you die 1951-birthday-party

As I see it, there are two big, big things to do before you die. Take photos of yourself, lots of them. And write your own obituary. 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!

A dream about wrestling. Detail of a column in the Wurzburg Cathedral, shaped in a knot. Photo by Barbara Newhall

A Dream About Wrestling With — Uh, Who Was That Anyway?

asphalt crew at work filling in gutter in front of my house. Photo by Barbara Newhall

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

D.B. Falconer building tree house. Photo by Barbara Newhall

Wisdom From My Father — Or, How to Sweep the Kitchen Floor

JON-NEWHALL-EDITING-COPY

Widowed: Marriage Mistakes — If I Could Have a Do-Over, Would I?

MORE DON'T MISS!

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