Tucked away in a wee close off of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile is one of my favourite museums in the city. It’s the Writers’ Museum in Lady Stair’s Close and even though…
It’s a new year, so it’s time for a new me. OK, not a new me, but hopefully an improved me. Yes, it’s time to…
As 2013 draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the year’s ups and downs. I’ve been thinking about the good points and the…
Last year, I shared with you how I was preparing for a Christmas at home alone. I was home alone by choice, but it was still…
Forward: I am sharing this story here because when I was looking for personal accounts from women who’ve found breast lumps that turned out not to be…
My apologies, I seem to be in a poetic mood today. I believe…By Just Frances I believe in so many things.I believe in so many…
It’s been nearly a month since my return to Scotland and I am finally starting to feel a bit settled. In fact, I’m feeling settled for the…
There’s something ever-so frustrating about the way life and love mix. We want so desperately to be part of a couple, but when someone reaches…
As regular readers may know, I am a fan of letters. Proper, hand-written letters sent to family and friends – or even to perfect strangers if there’s a cause. I honestly…
It’s been a calendar week since I formally matriculated as a PhD student and a “work” week since my first day as a PhD student. So, as promised,…
Well, folks, it’s happened. It’s finally happened. I have finally started my PhD. Well, I have finally had my first full day as a PhD research…
Well, I suppose I should give a bit of an update as I’ve not said a word since leaving America. I’ve just been too frazzled…
Excitedly, I have received my new UK visa today – meaning that I have all of the official bits of a government-issued ID to allow me to…
Today is 1 November, which is the amended date for the start of my PhD programme in Scotland. Yet I am still in America. But,…
I’ve come to a major fork in life’s journey and all of my maps are outdated and tattered. There are very few signs and a…
This evening, I had the awesome privilege of going to a high school play with my way-cool nephew. And because he thinks I’m way cool, he let…
Ta-da! This is my latest swirl, Autumn Falls. I swirled it whilst sitting in my parents’ living room over about a week – whilst sitting in a lovely, comfy…
Today I sent off my visa application papers. A couple of days later than I’d hoped, but the delay meant that I had everything I wanted to…
I have finally applied for my new Tier 4 student visa. Yes, finally. It’s something I had expected to do more than a month ago, but plans don’t always…
Today is 1 October, which was my target date for beginning my PhD studies. Only I’m not in Scotland at the moment because I’ve not sorted…