With my birthday just around the corner, I am more aware than normal that I am getting older. I am ageing; I am becoming more…
I attended the International Data and Information Management Conference in Loughborough (England) this week. The conference was a great opportunity to meet with other information science researchers – and to present…
With 2015 quickly coming to an end, it’s time for a bit of reflection. And as I look back at my hopes for the year, I…
Hello and Merry Christmas to you all! As I mentioned the other day, I am spending my Christmas (mostly) alone, but I am doing so with…
The holidays are here again, and that means I’m facing an extended period of holiday hush. “Hush” because, like most years, I will be spending Christmas…
It started a little over a year ago. Every few days, I would wake up and there would be faint, shimmering lines on the carpet…
Yesterday marked two years since I began my PhD studies. And that means I am another year closer to being Doctor Ryan. It’s a title I’ve longed for…
Yesterday was Halloween. And Halloween means playing dress-up. It was also the Alloa Real Ale Festival. And that means drinking beer. And as I love dressing…
I ran my last Loch Ness Marathon yesterday. (Maybe.) And I accomplished a PB whilst doing it – which was totally unexpected. Even better, I am nowhere…
Once again, National Punctuation Day is upon us. And that means I am going to talk about one of my favourite things – punctuation! But I’m going to change…
Today was opening day for the new Borders Railway between Edinburgh and Tweedbank. And as I am a bit of a train buff who enjoys being “first” to…
Today should be my Uncle King’s 53rd birthday. Only he left this world for the glory of Heaven a few days ago. I knew it…
I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it before, but my parents were really mean when I was growing up. As in they were so mean that they…
Today is Independence Day in America; the day we stood up against The Crown to demand self-rule. As a proud American, this is a very important day for me.…
I went into town yesterday for Edinburgh’s Armed Forces Day parade and celebration. I had put the event in my calendar weeks ago, and intended to…
Ten years ago today, I became Mrs Ryan. I stood there at the altar in front of God, family, and friends – with my beloved Paul beside me – and…
As the Easter Bunny didn’t leave me any eggs to find at home today, I had to arrange for a wee treasure hunt of my…
Astute Just Frances readers may know that today is my 41st birthday. And curious readers may wonder how I celebrated the day. So, that’s what…
Today is my last day as a 40-year-old woman. It’s the last day of what I had hoped would be an empowering and fabulous year of…
Today is the first day of Lent, and also a fasting day in the Catholic Church. I’ve decided to observe several fasting days over the Lenten period…