I don’t know about you, but I find annual resolution-setting to be a challenge in itself. I love the idea of a strong resolution to…
And with that, it’s time for another annual re-cap post. Although quite how we’ve got to 31 December 2019, I couldn’t tell you! Yet, here…
I dug out my Christmas decorations yesterday in anticipation of decorating the cottage in a couple of weeks. And when I dug them out, I…
At the end of 2018, I had a last-minute idea to use an A5 notebook as a weekly to-do book. The notebook was just a…
Last year, I conducted a massive “friend cull” on Facebook. It took about a week to complete the process that, ultimately, led to severing Facebook…
The last three weekends have been quite busy for me, with fun activities to keep me busy. The first weekend was the annual Roslin Village…
I attended my first “Death Café” last weekend. I had heard about these events in the past but had never had the time to attend,…
It has been a long time coming, but I am finally a doctor. Oh yes, I am now officially Dr Frances Ryan. The PhD kind…
Regular readers will know that my PhD Dreams have been an important part of my life for a few years now. And excitedly, my PhD Dreams will…
Today is Thursday, 21 February. I was born on Thursday, 21 February. And on this very Thursday, 21 February, I am 21 in Scrabble tiles.…
February is letter-writing month, which means I will be writing a letter a day for the whole of February. Regular readers will know that I am…
As is tradition, a new year means a new resolution. Generally, my resolutions are set as a way to focus on self-improvement in realistic terms.…
As 2018 winds to a close, I find myself reflecting on the year and how I’ve fared over the last 12 months. And, as always,…
I ran today. And I will run tomorrow. And the next day. And, if all goes well, I will be running every day in December.…
As any regular Just Frances reader will know, my PhD Dreams began a few years ago. And my actual PhD studies began nearly five years ago. And now,…
One hundred years ago, in 1918, Opha May Johnson became the first woman to (officially*) enlist in the United States Marine Corps. Back then, women were only…
At the start of the year, I set myself a gentle running goal: A simple sub-30 5K. I chose the goal because I knew it…
I took the weekend off from my PhD studies to re-focus my brain with some healthy fresh air. On Saturday, I did that by exploring St Anthony’s Chapel and climbing…
I found myself at the top of Arthur’s Seat this past weekend, which means I’ve reached the summit two months in a row – after not having climbed the…
My lovely nieces, Virginia and Krystyne, returned to America last Friday after their first-ever international adventure, and I think I am just about recovered from the…