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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 on24 June 201321 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Travels, Adventures & Explorations, Widow Life

Holiday dilemma

by Just Frances4 Comments on Holiday dilemma

I want to go away on holiday somewhere. It doesn’t have to be far away; just a nice holiday away from home. I want to…

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Posted on18 June 201321 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

Echoes of memories

by Just Frances4 Comments on Echoes of memories

There is a sensation that passes through my heart and soul on occasion. A conscious realisation of subconscious thought. Sometimes it’s caused by a smell…

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Posted on17 June 201319 November 2022Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

The number you have dialled

by Just Frances2 Comments on The number you have dialled

I am rubbish with numbers. I think that’s a pretty common understanding and it’s not really something I’m embarrassed by. I can’t do mathematical equations…

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Posted on29 May 201318 October 2021Musings & Ramblings

Even happier if…

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Even happier if…

Today’s post is a list. You would be forgiven to think that lists are an easy-out when it comes to writing, but they are really…

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Posted on26 May 201321 July 2021Fitness & Exercise, Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Running nightmares

by Just Frances1 Comment on Running nightmares

As most people do, I have bad dreams from time to time – the bothersome little dreams that haunt you all day long: Showing up to a…

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Posted on24 May 201321 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Alone by choice, begrudgingly

by Just Frances1 Comment on Alone by choice, begrudgingly

For the vast majority of my adult life, I have been alone. I’ve only ever had one “real” boyfriend (after having briefly dated a not-nice…

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Posted on23 May 201321 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

A novel idea

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on A novel idea

As soon as she walked in, she felt the tension. She didn’t want to be there, but her friends insisted she go and enjoy herself.…

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Posted on21 May 201321 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Marriage odds

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Marriage odds

Eight years ago, I stood at the altar of St John the Baptist Catholic Church and professed my love and dedication to the man who taught me…

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Posted on10 May 201319 November 2022Academic Life, Musings & Ramblings

The genius theory

by Just Frances4 Comments on The genius theory

I took a bit of a self-esteem stumble after being pushed by some hurtful words over the weekend. I really let the words get to…

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Posted on1 May 201321 July 2021Academic Life, Musings & Ramblings

Switching faculties

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Switching faculties

From the beginning of my university career, my goal has been to get my PhD. It was a no-brainer, really. I love school, I love…

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Posted on26 April 201321 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Four years

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Four years

Life is so very different without Paul and these past four years have been a rollercoaster ride that I never could have imagined. Without Paul,…

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Posted on19 April 201321 July 2021Academic Life, Musings & Ramblings

Acting scribbles

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Acting scribbles

As part of Monday’s fun video shoot, I had to pretend to be hard at work doing academic-y stuff. So I sat and scribbled away in…

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Posted on16 April 201321 July 2021Fitness & Exercise, Musings & Ramblings

A runner’s reflection

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on A runner’s reflection

Yesterday’s news of the bombings in the final stretch of the Boston Marathon has shaken me. Like many runners, the shock of it all has been hard to comprehend.…

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Posted on7 April 201321 July 2021Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

Innovative memories

by Just Frances2 Comments on Innovative memories

I was ten years old when, along with my 14-year-old neighbour, I developed the world’s first carpenter ant extermination system. It was genius. Pure, simple…

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Posted on2 April 201321 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

Searching for happiness?

by Just Frances2 Comments on Searching for happiness?

I read an interesting article today about happiness. Specifically, it outlined the one thing you should do to be happy, and that was to stop trying to be happy; to stop searching for…

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Posted on29 March 201321 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

Home is where…?

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Home is where…?

Home is a hard place for me to define; more so as I don’t know where I will be living over the next few months – and…

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Posted on27 March 201321 July 2021Academic Life, Musings & Ramblings

A Wednesday ramble

by Just Frances2 Comments on A Wednesday ramble

I’m going to delve into a short(ish) stream of consciousness for a bit here because there’s a lot on my mind that I’ve wanted to share, but…

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Posted on23 March 201321 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

Homeless for a cause

by Just Frances4 Comments on Homeless for a cause

Last night, I found myself sleeping on the cold streets of Edinburgh in the howling winds and forbidding temperatures. It was miserable weather for being…

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Posted on20 March 201316 November 2022Musings & Ramblings

A happy challenge

by Just Frances2 Comments on A happy challenge

Today is International Happiness Day, so I thought I’d talk about happiness; my happiness, your happiness, and the world’s happiness in general. The day was “invented”…

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Posted on16 March 201321 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Software glitch

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Software glitch

There is a glitch in Just Frances, the person, that I can’t seem to repair. It started when I first got the Frances 3.0 upgrade…

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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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