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It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.
It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. This was, at one time, what I considered to be the best opening line of any book written. It’s from A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dicken’s novel, described in the cliff notes as a plot that explores themes of social injustice, revolution, love, sacrifice, and redemption as characters navigate the turmoil of both personal and political upheaval. Sound familiar? It certainly does to me.  That simple title summarizes the way

Fran Braga Meininger
11 minutes ago3 min read
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The Shadow Side of Virgo
To celebrate my 70 th  birthday I had my Astrological Natal Chart read. I’ve wanted to do this for a very long time, and it seemed an appropriate gift for the occasion. In case you’re not into astrology and don’t know, the natal chart is the position of the planets and stars at the specific date, time and place of your birth and the reading reveals which planets and astrological signs appeared in each one of your houses at that moment. There are twelve astrological houses and

Fran Braga Meininger
Oct 174 min read
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Wise Old Women
I started a new book entitled, When Things Fall Apart . It is not the most riveting book and I have, in fact, practiced many of the...

Fran Braga Meininger
Mar 165 min read
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Missing the Special Moments Before They're Gone
The older I get, the more joy I derive from the little things, the temporary and the fleeting magic that I experience all around me if...

Fran Braga Meininger
Dec 10, 20243 min read
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The View from the Top
Returning to the trail feels like a reunion with a dear friend. Excited for the moment, I rise long before dawn, seduced by a longing for...

Fran Braga Meininger
Oct 20, 20243 min read
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Let the Old Woman In
I believe I have just entered another transitional stage; a time when I’m not particularly sure who and how I am. The reflection in the...

Fran Braga Meininger
May 7, 20243 min read
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The Spirit of Women
In honor of International Women's Day Last evening, I was lead chef catering a wedding reception, an elaborate, special occasion that...

Fran Braga Meininger
Mar 7, 20243 min read
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Interview with Bold Journey Magazine
I was invited to interview with this inspirational publication that features creatives, industry leaders and entrepreneurs. I'm honored...

Fran Braga Meininger
Jan 24, 20241 min read
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The Winter Solstice and the Coming of the Light
The morning of the winter solstice. I sit facing east watching, waiting, as the sky turns a slate blue in anticipation of the dawn. The...

Fran Braga Meininger
Dec 21, 20232 min read
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We Need to Talk About Female Hair Loss
The first thing I noticed about Rachel was not the absence of hair on her head, nor the dramatic tattoo prominently placed just behind...

Fran Braga Meininger
Sep 26, 20236 min read
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The Determined Oak and Me
This tree came down during a rainstorm several years ago. I stood in a moment of silence when I found it lying over on its side with only...

Fran Braga Meininger
Sep 5, 20233 min read
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Feeding the Wolf
There’s a fable from the indigenous culture about an old man’s advice to his grandson, regarding choice and intention. It warns there are...

Fran Braga Meininger
May 26, 20233 min read
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The Story of our Lives
We all think we have time, until we don’t. It’s amazing to me how different our outlook can become when a medical condition threatens to...

Fran Braga Meininger
May 21, 20233 min read
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Learning to Let Go and Hold On
Life’s disappointments, sudden change, loss and grief seem to come in waves. They strike upon a calm beach and a peaceful mind out of...

Fran Braga Meininger
Apr 21, 20233 min read
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Welcoming a New Dog Into the Winter of My Life
I’ve had the company of a dog through all the seasons of my life so far. They have been as much a part of my world as the people who have...

Fran Braga Meininger
Jan 18, 20234 min read
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It's Been a Great Eight Years!
I'm so excited to be featured in CanvasRebel, a publication dedicated to creatives. Writing has become my passion and my purpose, and...

Fran Braga Meininger
Jan 10, 20231 min read
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Taking Slips
I originally thought it was just a quirky thing my grandmother did when I was little. But eventually I noticed my aunt and my mother...

Fran Braga Meininger
Dec 21, 20223 min read
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How Can I Help?
I’m writing this wrapped in my cotton shawl, curled up on the couch recovering from a minor bout of bronchitis, a chronic condition for...

Fran Braga Meininger
Oct 6, 20223 min read
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Celebrating My Day
Tomorrow is my 67th birthday. It’s certainly not the stand out benchmark of my 60th, nor the right of passage I felt when I turned 65 and...

Fran Braga Meininger
Aug 25, 20223 min read
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The Memories I May Never Completely Remember
It’s August and it’s raining. That’s rare here, but it happens. And every time it does, I find myself engulfed in this overwhelming sense...

Fran Braga Meininger
Aug 9, 20222 min read
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