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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 on16 June 20119 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Seller’s blues

by Just Frances4 Comments on Seller’s blues

For two weeks now, I’ve been selling loads of stuff on CraigsList and I can’t believe how mixed my emotions are in the process. The…

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Posted on11 June 201110 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

A happy-sad goodbye

by Just Frances2 Comments on A happy-sad goodbye

One of my favourite bits of furniture was an old 1950s(ish) green padded sewing stool. I wish I didn’t have to do it, but I…

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Posted on31 May 20119 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Who am I really talking to?

by Just Frances7 Comments on Who am I really talking to?

My lovely foster daughter is getting ready for a major life change and I’m amazed at how well she’s handling it. (Or how well she’s…

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Posted on20 May 20118 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

From happy to crash

by Just Frances3 Comments on From happy to crash

It’s been a bad day. It started good, but then something happened that caused me to come crashing down. I could tell you what that something…

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Posted on18 May 20118 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Final blooms

by Just Frances5 Comments on Final blooms

We moved into our house on 15 May 2008. About a week later, all of the pink tulips planted along the front side began to…

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Posted on3 May 20118 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

Post it

by Just Frances2 Comments on Post it

This isn’t the post I planned to share tonight. No, that post was a bit sad and reflective of my (sometimes) miserable lot in life…

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Posted on2 May 201118 August 2021Fitness & Exercise, Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

For the last time

by Just Frances2 Comments on For the last time

Well, folks, the Bloomsday 12K results are in. But I’m going to get all melancholy for a bit before I get to that part. You…

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Posted on15 April 20117 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Choices

by Just Frances2 Comments on Choices

I’m sure you’ve gleaned by now that I’m very anxious and frightened about my future. And I bet some people wonder why I’m putting myself…

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Posted on13 April 20117 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Visa changes: A rambling rant

by Just Frances4 Comments on Visa changes: A rambling rant

I don’t know if I’ve mentioned before what a massive gamble this new adventure of mine is. I’m leaving my job during one of the…

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Posted on11 April 20117 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

Found in the rubble

by Just Frances2 Comments on Found in the rubble

I whine a lot about all that I lost nearly two years ago when Paul died. And I’ll probably whine a lot more because I…

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Posted on8 April 20117 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Amputated at the heart

by Just Frances4 Comments on Amputated at the heart

Grief is one of those things you can’t really explain to someone who hasn’t gone through it. Even those of us who’ve experienced extreme grief…

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Posted on1 April 20117 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

April

by Just Frances4 Comments on April

April is upon us again and if I’m honest I’m dreading the entire month. I remember two years ago when April Fools’ Day rolled around – Paul…

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Posted on19 March 20117 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Struggling with apathy

by Just Frances6 Comments on Struggling with apathy

I have these conversations in my head where I shout at myself for being so stressed and unhappy and apathetic, then I tell myself to…

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Posted on9 March 20116 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

At the end of the garden

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on At the end of the garden

I’ve been thinking about a poem for several days now and started on a draft this evening. I’m not completely happy with what I have…

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Posted on4 March 20116 July 2021Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

Where flowers grow

by Just Frances5 Comments on Where flowers grow

Somewhere in the Central Cascades is a small, rural village nestled in the trees. Through the centre of the community is the main street, home…

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Posted on1 March 20116 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

Future plans and dreams of the past

by Just Frances2 Comments on Future plans and dreams of the past

I spent an hour or so transferring my old floppy disks onto my external hard drive today and was very pleased with myself for managing…

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Posted on25 February 20116 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Emotional screens

by Just Frances2 Comments on Emotional screens

It’s been a bit of a crazy month as I cope with a gazillion emotions swarming around my heart and soul. Then tonight, I sat…

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Posted on23 February 20116 July 2021Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

Wednesday’s child is full of woe

by Just Frances1 Comment on Wednesday’s child is full of woe

Oh, Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday. What will I do with you? Wednesday, I want to love you because you symbolise the middle of the workweek which…

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Posted on14 February 20116 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

A valentine-less Valentine’s Day

by Just Frances2 Comments on A valentine-less Valentine’s Day

I’ve always been a bit put off with Valentine’s Day. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that I was…

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Posted on6 February 20116 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Nine years ago

by Just Frances4 Comments on Nine years ago

Nine years ago today, my intended life plans changed. Only I didn’t know it at the time. I was living in Scotland whilst studying at…

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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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