Way back on 6 February 2002, my friend bailed out on a day trip to St Andrews. With nothing better to do, I decided to walk…
[De-can’t-ing is part of my desire to “prioritise me” during February.] I can’t. You can’t. We can’t. But why can’t I, you, we? Maybe it’s not because…
This is a hard post for me to share because once I say it I have to follow through with it. But here goes: I…
When I wake up tomorrow it will be February; the shortest month in the calendar year and my birthday month. Yes, by the end of…
(Updated September 2020; see the end of the post.) I was halfway over the Atlantic when I moved my wedding rings from my left hand…
If you asked me what my perfect man looks like, I couldn’t describe him. I imagine he’d be taller than me and I’d like to…
It’s been more than four years since my husband died and I’ve yet to enter into a new relationship. I’ve now had four first dates…
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…