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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 on7 July 20102 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

The Fishing Song

by Just Frances2 Comments on The Fishing Song

Last week I posted a silly ramble about all things fish. That ramble prompted a childhood friend to suggest we grab our poles and head…

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Posted on6 July 20102 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

Whatifs

by Just Frances4 Comments on Whatifs

Whatifs are terrible little things. They hold us back from doing all of the important things in life. They feed on fear and worry and self-doubt. But…

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Posted on2 July 20102 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

Very fishy

by Just Frances2 Comments on Very fishy

I started this post thinking it would be about my love of (obsession for?) fish-n-chips but couldn’t stop myself from going on these little tangents…

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Posted on29 June 20102 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

When you live alone; Part 1

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on When you live alone; Part 1

When you live alone, especially after sharing your life with someone for so long, things change. Little things. Shoe storage locations are one of those…

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Posted on29 June 20102 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

I must have been 10 or 11 years old when I got my first job as a papergirl for the Daily Record, Kittitas County’s only…

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Posted on21 June 20102 July 2021Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

Funny forks

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Funny forks

I love the way people can share the most mundane everyday details of their lives with the world thanks to the Wonderful World Wide Web.…

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Posted on18 June 20102 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

I like peanut butter

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on I like peanut butter

When I first began this blog, I jokingly commented that: “The content will be all over the place. You may visit one day and see…

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Posted on12 June 20102 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Stuff: His, Mine, Ours

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Stuff: His, Mine, Ours

I have a house full of stuff. Stuff I accumulated before I ever met Paul. Stuff Paul accumulated before he ever met me. Stuff we accumulated…

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Posted on8 June 20102 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Stuck

by Just Frances2 Comments on Stuck

I feel stuck some days. Frozen in this place of fear; this place with an uncertain future. I guess I thought what so many people…

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Posted on3 June 20102 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

There is a difference

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on There is a difference

Being an early adopter of Widowhood means not only learning the kinks and bugs on my own, but it also means that I have to…

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Posted on2 June 20102 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Anything but late

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Anything but late

“How do you refer to your husband when talking to other people?” Note: This post was originally shared on my “widowhood” blog, “Frances 3.0: Still…

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Posted on1 June 20102 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Changing rooms

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Changing rooms

I moved the bed around in my room yesterday. It’s the first “big” change since Paul died more than a year ago. I suppose I…

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Posted on26 May 20102 July 2021Fitness & Exercise, Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Old and fat

by Just Frances2 Comments on Old and fat

I’ll start this post by saying that I don’t think I’m old or fat. But when I go to a university-operated gym where the average…

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Posted on21 May 20102 July 2021Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Mrs Ryan

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Mrs Ryan

Five years ago today, I became Mrs Ryan. It was truly the happiest day of my life. This is my second wedding anniversary without Mr…

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Posted on19 May 20102 July 2021Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

To be blissfully happy

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on To be blissfully happy

Sometimes I need to be reminded of my ultimate goal in life: To be blissfully happy. On those days, I reflect on one of my…

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Posted on16 March 201029 June 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Building strong bones

by Just Frances4 Comments on Building strong bones

Growing up I was told to drink my milk because it was good for building strong bones. I attempted that at the weekend by purchasing…

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Posted on23 February 201027 June 2021Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

Greener grass

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Greener grass

As I turn on the “Out of Office” reply for my work email, I have to giggle. I’m so excited to be on two weeks’…

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Posted on21 February 201027 June 2021Crafting & Creating, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Happy birthday to me

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Happy birthday to me

Today is my 36th birthday and to celebrate, I’ve opened a bottle of bubbly and I’m feasting on caviar, wild salmon, and Alaskan king crab. The house…

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Posted on18 February 201018 October 2021Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

I am

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on I am

“I AM” is a poetry lesson often taught at the grade school level. It is sort of like Mad Libs, but with a slightly more…

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Posted on17 February 201027 June 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Back to church

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Back to church

Today is Ash Wednesday and the first time I’ve gone to church since Paul died, other than his funeral and memorial service and a wedding.…

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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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