Author Archives: Lynne

About Lynne

I am a wife, mother of two and a memoirist. I recently received an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Albertus Magnus College. I am a suicide prevention crisis counselor and volunteer coordinator for a non-profit with a mission to ending domestic violence. Pleasantly Settled was created to blog musings and observations from Pleasanton, California after I moved here with my family from Connecticut in 2012.

St. Patrick’s Day Journal Discovery

One year ago I decided to start writing my memoir in earnest. Yesterday an author from a memoir boot camp I’m in talked about mining your journals for content. While most of my current journals are located in accessible file … Continue reading

Posted in Memoir | Leave a comment

Prayers for Aunt Terrie

I’m still trying to process the 4:45 am phone call from St. Mary Home in West Hartford, Connecticut. The head nurse on the first floor had called to inform me that Aunt Terrie had received a positive COVID test. I … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Caregiving Contemplation

I recently had the opportunity to speak with a fellow writer about being a caregiver and how it affects your life. I related that while it was emotionally one of the most heart-wrenching times in my life, I wouldn’t trade … Continue reading

Posted in Memoir | Leave a comment

Sunrise Swim – Pandemic Style

It was the beginning of September when I learned the town pools were opening back up since closing down with the rest of the nation on March 16, 2020. Since the COVID pandemic began, I started practicing more yoga and … Continue reading

Posted in Health and Wellness, Pandemic | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Windows of Hope

Yesterday I needed to hear some voices of hope, so I listened to Michelle Obama’s new podcast with President Barack Obama. They talked about how they were raised during the “it takes a village” mindset when everyone watched out for … Continue reading

Posted in Memoir | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Connecting during Coronavirus

I am an extrovert. I enjoy speaking with people, and I’m generally a friendly person. Most of the time when I’m walking past someone, unless they’re looking down or seem unapproachable, I will smile and say hello. Walking in the … Continue reading

Posted in Around Town, Health and Wellness, Memoir | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Frampton Comes Alive and so does Bonham

Peter Frampton was a much-loved performer back in the 70s. It was the first of July in 1976 when he came to Colt Park in Hartford and nearly didn’t perform after falling off the stage during rehearsal. But he rallied … Continue reading

Posted in Concerts, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

ROLLING STONES – SANTA CLARA SET LIST 8/18/19

I’ve never owned one Rolling Stones album. And that’s pretty amazing, considering I began my record collection at only 10 years old (with Led Zeppelin II). I do remember a “Jumping Jack Flash” in my pile of 45s, but how … Continue reading

Posted in Concerts | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

In honor of Randy…

It feels wrong, like my step brother passing is somehow not part of God’s plan. Two teenagers and two youngsters were not supposed to lose their Dad, and neither was his loving wife. Now she is a grieving widow left … Continue reading

Posted in Memoir | 1 Comment