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.

Twenty-five Years Ago Today

Posted on October 7, 2017 by Lynne

My family and I have lived in California for five years now. This morning while at breakfast, a friend asked me if I would ever go back “home” to Connecticut. No, I told her, because my home is where my … Continue reading →

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“Memories We Share”

Posted on May 27, 2017 by Lynne

Many of us identify specific periods of our lives with certain albums of the time. For me, one of those Soundtracks is “An Evening with John Denver” – a live album that was released in February of 1975. Even though … Continue reading →

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In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Posted on January 16, 2017 by Lynne

Song of the Revolution by Langston Hughes Sing me a song of the Revolution Marching like fire over the world, Weaving from the earth its bright red banner For the hands of the masses to unfurl. Sing me a song … Continue reading →

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A Fitter Attitude

Posted on August 16, 2016 by Lynne

I enjoyed attending group fitness classes when we lived in Connecticut. We joined a gym after moving to California, but I was too busy to go. I was writing my masters thesis, searching for a job, and driving the kids everywhere. Pretty … Continue reading →

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Grieving and Loss – Honoring Your Parents

Posted on April 4, 2016 by Lynne

The theme on the suicide prevention line over the past couple of Sundays has been grief over the loss of a parent. I keep the Kübler-Ross model in mind, as I convey that everyone grieves differently, and with time, each loss becomes … Continue reading →

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Gilmour Gleams with “So long Sin, au revoir Chaos”

Posted on March 26, 2016 by Lynne

It’s kind of cool when something becomes relevant for the second time around, infusing new energy and a positive light in this lifetime, replacing negative associations of old. David Gilmour accomplished this transformation at his March 24th Hollywood Bowl concert, … Continue reading →

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Embracing the Rain

Posted on March 9, 2016 by Lynne

I’ve always been a firm believer in meditation as a destresser, and took up the practice while I was writing my masters thesis. After a walk in the park, I would sit on one of the benches and set my … Continue reading →

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Semi-Colon Moments

Posted on February 8, 2016 by Lynne

At the end of my shift from taking calls at the National Suicide Prevention/Crisis Support Services hotline, I am always torn between keeping the notes I have jotted down to document my calls, or putting them in the shredder. I … Continue reading →

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On Compassion: In Honor of my Mom

Posted on October 7, 2015 by Lynne

A couple of years ago I attended an author’s discussion and book signing; it was a high tea held in a lovely garden. The author began by asking her attendees to write down one word that described their mother. My word … Continue reading →

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Bittersweet Milestone

Posted on August 31, 2015 by Lynne

With senior year looming, my daughter secured her license just one week before school started. As parents, we weren’t keen on letting her drive that first week, especially knowing the traffic craziness that happens during drop-off and pick-up on those initial days. … Continue reading →

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