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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 on15 March 201321 July 2021Fitness & Exercise, Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Running with music

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Running with music

There was an interesting piece in The Guardian’s Running Blog yesterday about running with music. The post offered insights from two runners – a pro-music runner and a no-music runner – and…

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Posted on11 March 201321 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

Eyelash wishes

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Eyelash wishes

I wish on eyelashes. I don’t know when it started. Maybe my parents taught me the superstitious act. I can’t remember. But what I know for…

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Posted on4 March 201328 September 2022Musings & Ramblings

Separated by a common language

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Separated by a common language

It’s National Grammar Day in America, when grammarians will march forth on 4th March to spread the good word. (That’s good word, not well word.) And as a lingual hobbyist, I…

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Posted on2 March 201321 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

They are family

by Just Frances4 Comments on They are family

The day before my husband’s funeral, my eldest brother-in-law informed me that I was family and that Paul’s death didn’t change that. He let me…

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Posted on24 February 201320 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

A life I value

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on A life I value

Yesterday’s post seems to have created some interesting, and unexpected, feedback, so I thought I’d take the time to talk about it some more. It seems…

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Posted on23 February 201320 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

My social worth

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on My social worth

Since becoming a widow, I’ve given a lot of thought to the value of my life; the purpose and the meaning of it. I’ve wondered why…

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Posted on21 February 201320 July 2021Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

Nearly 40

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Nearly 40

Today is my 39th birthday. It seems silly to care or to mark the day at all. But it’s my birthday, so I can’t help…

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Posted on19 February 201320 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Building bridges

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Building bridges

On a ramble through the English countryside this past weekend with my brother-in-law and cousin (also in-law), we came across a bit of the trail…

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Posted on18 February 201320 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

Choosing my own adventure

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Choosing my own adventure

I’m not a big believer in predetermined destinies. I don’t believe that God has my entire life mapped out and that every little obstacle is…

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Posted on11 February 201320 July 2021Academic Life, Musings & Ramblings

I am a cyborg: A personal reflection

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on I am a cyborg: A personal reflection

To celebrate submitting my first PhD application yesterday, I thought I’d share with you my first writing assignment from my master’s programme. This was written for my…

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Posted on9 February 201320 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

A sulk-less Valentine’s Day challenge

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on A sulk-less Valentine’s Day challenge

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and I’ve already started hearing and reading comments from people about dreading the day because they’re all alone.…

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Posted on5 February 201320 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Random fate

by Just Frances2 Comments on Random fate

On Wednesday, 6 February 2002, I was meant to go to St Andrews for the day. Only the friend I was meant to travel with was ill,…

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Posted on2 February 201320 July 2021Crafting & Creating, Musings & Ramblings

Working swirls

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Working swirls

I’ve finally completed my latest swirl drawing. It’s one that I started way back in December for a friend who was embarking on a life-changing journey.…

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Posted on1 February 201320 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Faith for February

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Faith for February

When the New Year began, I wrote about my contemplation of giving into misery and hopelessness; of forgoing thoughts of joy and happiness. But, in the…

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Posted on29 January 201320 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

Dear Old Frances

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Dear Old Frances

I’ve just completed another one of the Brooklyn Art Library‘s collaborative art projects, Letters From Your Childhood, so here I am sharing it with you. Yay! It’s difficult…

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Posted on27 January 201320 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

Hope does it

by Just Frances2 Comments on Hope does it

Yesterday I shared a big part of my soul by admitting that I fell so hard that I frightened myself. So today I thought I’d share…

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Posted on26 January 201320 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

I fell

by Just Frances2 Comments on I fell

The truth is, I fell. I fell really, really hard and I spiralled a bit. OK, maybe I spiralled a lot. It started last September…

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Posted on24 January 201320 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

My fright in the night

by Just Frances2 Comments on My fright in the night

I didn’t sleep well last night. I didn’t sleep well at all. And, to be honest, I’m ever-so-slightly afraid to be home alone because of…

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Posted on17 January 201320 October 2021Chronic Illness, Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

A stranger saved my life

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on A stranger saved my life

One day, a stranger saved my life. Actually, it was probably more than one stranger and it probably happened over a series of days. And…

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Posted on15 January 201320 July 2021Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

Things found by accident

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Things found by accident

A while ago, I shared with you the found things I pick up when I’m out and about; every time I find something new to add to…

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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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