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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 on11 January 201320 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

Expiration loophole

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Expiration loophole

Regular readers will know that I’ve been stressed and worried about my visa situation for a while now. And a select group of friends know that…

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Posted on11 January 201320 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

Before we blogged

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Before we blogged

Today I stumbled upon a new blog by the Stirling Library Archives. The blog will post highlights from the 1813 entries in Dr Thomas Lucas’ diaries, a Stirling-based surgeon.…

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Posted on9 January 201320 July 2021Culinary Arts, Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

My Martini intervention

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on My Martini intervention

You may know by now that I’m a big fan of Martinis. It’s not that I’m a big drinker; I just like my RyanCentric Martinis a bit.…

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Posted on3 January 201326 April 2023Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

To date, or not to date?

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on To date, or not to date?

One week before Paul died, we had a conversation about our futures, should one of us die – a conversation sparked because it was the anniversary of…

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Posted on1 January 201320 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

New year; new hopes

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on New year; new hopes

I like to start each year with a bright, fresh outlook; with a renewed hope for joy and happiness. But I must admit that I…

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Posted on31 December 201219 July 2021Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

So long, 2012!

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on So long, 2012!

If I am honest, I would have to say that 2012 has been a pretty unhappy year. I think it’s been even worse because I…

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Posted on29 December 201219 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

Only in my dreams

by Just Frances2 Comments on Only in my dreams

There is a man who appears in my dreams who isn’t Paul. In my dreams, we’re madly in love. And much like the widow dreams…

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Posted on17 November 201219 July 2021Crafting & Creating, Musings & Ramblings

Peachy-keen

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Peachy-keen

As you probably know by now, I like to swirl. It’s relaxing and rather enjoyable (and maybe a bit addicting at times). In addition to…

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Posted on15 November 201219 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Low, but lucky

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Low, but lucky

I’ve been a bit low lately and reached out to a friend for a bit of company. When I’d first mentioned that I was stressed…

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Posted on1 October 201218 July 2021Fitness & Exercise, Musings & Ramblings

Three cheers for the cheerers

by Just Frances3 Comments on Three cheers for the cheerers

Well, that’s the Loch Ness Marathon done, and I am pleased to say that I improved my time over last year. The weather was pretty…

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Posted on26 September 201218 July 2021Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

Writer’s cramp

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Writer’s cramp

Today is Day 3 of Social Media Week, so I thought I’d talk about correspondence. You see, for all of the wonderfulness of social media,…

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Posted on25 September 201218 July 2021Academic Life, Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Digital Diaries: Constructing and managing online identities through blog therapy

by Just Frances4 Comments on Digital Diaries: Constructing and managing online identities through blog therapy

To celebrate Social Media Week, I have decided to share a paper I wrote a few months ago about digital diaries and online identities. It…

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Posted on24 September 201218 July 2021Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

A case for the interrobang

by Just Frances5 Comments on A case for the interrobang

Today is National Punctuation Day in America, a day to celebrate the amazingness of punctuation. Today also marks the start of Social Media Week, a worldwide…

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Posted on27 August 201218 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

The dating game

by Just Frances2 Comments on The dating game

Sometimes I think about dating. Only it’s a confusing topic for me. Not the dating part; I know how to do that. It’s more the…

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Posted on12 August 201218 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Travels, Adventures & Explorations, Widow Life

A year later

by Just Frances4 Comments on A year later

Today marks one year since I hit the reset button on my future. Yes, it’s been one year since I moved back to my beautiful,…

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Posted on10 August 201210 May 2024Musings & Ramblings

Braving it alone

by Just Frances4 Comments on Braving it alone

Tonight, I decided to brave it alone and took myself to the theatre (sorry, to the cinema) to see Brave. And why not? Friday nights…

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Posted on21 July 201217 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

First flowers

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on First flowers

Every once in a while, my mind wanders back to the first time a boy gave me flowers. Or, rather, the first time a boy…

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Posted on4 July 201217 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

Patriotism abroad

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Patriotism abroad

Today is Independence Day in America. It is the day when the nation celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. As a proud American,…

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Posted on29 June 201217 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

Listening for the phone

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Listening for the phone

When I was in high school, my sister (I think?*) wrote a poem that went something like this: Lonely, all alone by Celeste Mills* Lonely,…

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Posted on26 June 201217 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

A door to nature

by Just Frances2 Comments on A door to nature

Over the past few months, I have realised just how much I miss having my very own front door; a door that I can open…

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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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