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Just Frances

Just Frances

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Category: Musings & Ramblings

Posts under this category tend to be reflective and at times a form of my own “talk therapy” as the act of writing down my thoughts and feelings can sometimes help me to work through them. I try not to be political or controversial in what I write, so you won’t find many of my “world views” shared here. (But in this COVID-pandemic world, I urge my fellow humans to wear a mask, social distance, and get the blood vaccine when it’s offered to you!)

Posted on26 October 201424 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

I am; I want

by Just Frances2 Comments on I am; I want

Yesterday’s writing prompt was to write “I am” ten times, then fill in the rest of the sentence. Today’s was to write “I want” ten…

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Posted on12 October 201424 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

A flourish of hate

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on A flourish of hate

Today’s creative writing prompt was simple: Craft a story or a poem based on the metaphor “A flourish of hate”. Only it wasn’t actually simple at all.…

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Posted on24 September 201419 November 2022Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Pride to the power of 10

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Pride to the power of 10

My friend, LA, introduced me to “The Bliss Scandal” so I decided I’d sign up and see what it was all about. To be completely honest, I…

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Posted on22 August 201423 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

Random memories: Three dates and you’re out!

by Just Frances5 Comments on Random memories: Three dates and you’re out!

I was 25 years old when Rupert* asked me out on a date. He was a “local boy” a few years older than me and…

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Posted on7 August 201416 November 2022Musings & Ramblings

Random memories: Airless nights

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Random memories: Airless nights

I was in my mid-20s, and still rather unsure about how the dating world worked. I couldn’t always tell if a guy was flirting with…

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Posted on31 July 201423 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Ancient blogs

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Ancient blogs

In preparing for a talk I’m giving next month about online reputation management, I went back and reviewed some of my old accounts. And that’s when…

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Posted on12 July 201423 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

Dating downtime

by Just Frances6 Comments on Dating downtime

No one said that dating was going to be easy, but I didn’t expect it to be as difficult as it’s been. Part of that,…

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Posted on3 July 201419 October 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Exhilarating sadness

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Exhilarating sadness

I was so excited when I saw the Saw Doctors were on tour in Scotland. Well, Anto and Leo, at least. I was even more excited when I…

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Posted on29 June 201423 July 2021Academic Life, Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Quietness

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Quietness

I’ve been quiet lately and I’ve found it hard to get back into the swing of things because I don’t know how to move past…

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Posted on21 May 201423 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Nine years on

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Nine years on

Nine years ago today, I stood in front of God and my family and friends to profess my love and devotion to the man I…

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Posted on18 May 201423 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Travels, Adventures & Explorations, Widow Life

Inch by inch: Revisiting Inchcolm

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Inch by inch: Revisiting Inchcolm

I spent a wonderful day on Inchcolm Island, exploring the abbey and surrounding grounds. It was one of those happy days, despite there being a slight…

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Posted on13 May 201416 November 2022Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

My anxiety story

by Just Frances3 Comments on My anxiety story

It’s Mental Health Awareness Week, with a focus on anxiety, so I thought I’d share my personal story on the topic. Please know this is a hard…

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Posted on26 April 201423 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Although the storm still rages

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Although the storm still rages

Today marks five years since I lost my beloved husband so suddenly; so unexpectedly. You’d think that after five years it would feel like a distant memory,…

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Posted on24 April 201423 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Talisker 10: A random memory

by Just Frances2 Comments on Talisker 10: A random memory

I bought a bottle of Talisker 10 today, and it reminded me of the last bottle I bought exactly one year ago. It was a happy memory…

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Posted on23 April 201423 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Escaping the comfort zone

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Escaping the comfort zone

Life begins where your comfort zone ends. The magic happens outside of your comfort zone. Success, happiness, excitement, love … it’s all found outside of…

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Posted on14 April 201423 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

Dating data

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Dating data

As part of my decision to be a bit more proactive about my return to the dating world, I’ve enlisted the help of a couple of…

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Posted on4 April 201423 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Hungry girl

by Just Frances2 Comments on Hungry girl

I am almost finished with my Lenten sacrifice (only 15 days to go!) and I’m starting to feel hungry. Really, really hungry. But I don’t know if…

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Posted on27 March 201423 July 2021Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

Your challenge: Build up, don’t knock down!

by Just Frances4 Comments on Your challenge: Build up, don’t knock down!

I woke up this morning and checked my Facebook feed whilst waiting for my snooze cycle to end. Only what I read angered me so…

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Posted on18 March 201423 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

First kiss fears

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on First kiss fears

It’s been nearly five years since I last kissed my husband goodnight. It’s been that long since I’ve fallen asleep in his arms; since I’ve…

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Posted on12 March 201423 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

No [fake] vitamins allowed

by Just Frances4 Comments on No [fake] vitamins allowed

My parents were really mean when I was growing up. They were so mean that they denied my sisters and me access to essential vitamins and minerals.…

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About Just Frances

Just Frances is a personal website maintained by me, Frances Ryan. I am a quirky runner, writer, thinker, drinker, crafter, adventurer, and researcher. I am also a daughter, sister, aunty, friend, and widow. But mostly, I am just Frances. (She/Her)

I blog about my life, including my travels and adventures, my experiences with PKD and ITP, my life as a young(ish) widow, and my life in general, really. Learn more about the topics I write about here.

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