maple leaves in evening sunlight

A bit about me

Like everyone, I am not ‘just a…’

I am a wife, with a very supportive husband; I am a mother with four daughters and a son; I am a grandmother with three grandsons and three granddaughters.

I love food—sometimes too much—so I walk our dog and do yoga.

I am a former executive administrative assistant and free-lance conference planner who now enjoys pursuing painting, photography, and writing and who travels as often as we can afford to.

I use my photographs from these travels as references for my paintings, though I am not a professional photographer.  But I love to play with my photos and have branched out into digital art photography … actually, it’s consuming a lot of my time, enjoyably so.

I enjoy my flower gardens—but I don’t grow veggies—I should, but I don’t.

With concurrence from my supportive husband, our former dining room is my art studio—it had the best light—and half of the den is my writing centre.  I actually completed and self-published my book, “Who ARE these people?”, which is a compilation of stories about my ancestors.

Life is good.

189 thoughts on “A bit about me”

  1. Lynne, just popping on over to say many, many thanks for the follow that is now adorning my blog. It is greatly appreciated and you are warmly welcomed aboard and invited to comment. Just hopped onto your about page straight away and be interested to know where you are based. Allow me to travel aropund your own blog and find outr a bit more, MM 🍀

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      2. Hi Lynne
        Whilst researching my family tree, I picked up your post re Richard and Ann Pentecost. I am also a gt gt gt grandchild of Richard and Ann. Their daughter Sarah is my gt gt grandmother. Sarah also rests in St. Paul’s churchyard, as is their grandson Richard (my gt gt uncle). Richard Jnr’s middle name is Ingram. Sarah’s husband John (my gt gt grandfather) died in 1856 and rests in Brixham, they were living in Brixham for a couple of years; John’s death is included on Sarah’s headstone.
        I visited Starcross in September and visited St. Paul’s to pay my respects to them all and Richard and Ann’s youngest daughters who rest with them.
        If it had not been for your post I would not have known where they were buried and would not have been able to establish where John died.
        Thank you cousin.
        Kind regards
        Paul

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        1. Paul, so wonderful to hear from you. I am thrilled that I provided a ‘eureka’ moment for you in your family search since we had our own ‘eureka’ moments from other people. Kind of a pay it forward. 🙂 I’d love to hear more from you – where you are located. Thank you for letting me know, Cousin 🙂

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          1. Hello Lynne.
            My apologies, I had thought my original message was lost in the www ether as I could not find after I pressed the sent button. I have just returned from a week in Devon, having spent sometime in Devon Records Office in Exeter. During my visit I found a reference to Gt Gt Gt grandfather Richard’s and this morning trying to find information related to that on the Web.
            Your website came up on the listing and when I rechecked found my original message and your message.
            I live I in Pickering, North Yorkshire, although I was born in Rochester, Kent (1953) we moved to North Yorkshire in 1987.
            My Gt Gt Grandparents John and Sarah’s son, John Pentecost Sheppard (born in Littleham, Exmouth in 1845) was a mariner but moved to Chatham, Kent and settled there after marrying a Maid of Kent. Why he moved from Devon to Kent none of his living descendants know why, apart from I am aware that a shipowner named John Sheppard of Exmouth was declared bankrupt in 1858/9. His father died in 1856, and his fathers brother was a shipowner who was declared bankrupt in December 1858.
            I am aware of a 270 year old Pentecost family bible that surfaced only five years ago, that a non family member had found: I believe it now in Australia with a Pentecost descendant (Gabriel’s Sounder News 4.9.2012). The bible is signed by a Richard Pentecost in 1742. Our 5xGt grandfather Richard Pentecost married Grace Hawkes on the 6.2.1742 in Totnes.
            I have also been trying to determine when and why Gt Gt Gt Richard Pentecost moved from Totnes to Kenton/Starcross. Although born in Totnes he married Ann in Kenton. His four younger siblings were all baptised in Kenton, and his parents are buried in Kenton. It suggests they moved between 1790 and 1792.
            It may be easier to contact me direct by e-mail. I am an e-technology dinosaur, I still use a push button phone as I can not get my head around using more modern phone devices.
            I have built my family tree using an excel spreadsheet, and can forward that to you, a lot of the information before 1836 I established from the IGI and the limited Devon Parish records held on the geological records site that I had been using. Visiting the Devon Records Office enables me to view the original documentation for BMD records but other documents held to confirm my BMD assumptions are correct, where no census records exist.
            Regards
            Paul

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  2. Hi from Australia. What a wonderful blog you have and I feel like I totally resonate with you. I’m a mum of two, love my dogs, my Zumba, travelling and camping with my family. Look forward to reading many more of your posts.

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  4. Thanks for the ‘follow’ over on LensScaper, Lynne. Just taken a peek round your site and particular your paintings gallery – I love your work. I have a daughter who is also a painter in her spare time – I’ve just sent her a link, I’m sure she will be inspired through seeing what you produce.

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  5. I like interesting blogs about interesting people. So far you’ve got my attention. We share a few things in common, Photography & Art. I’ve just dived back into art after a 45 year sabbatical, it’s a long story. My 43 year love story for photography took over and, as they say, the rest is history. Retired for 4 years and totally free I decided I could return to my art and have been having a blast doing so.

    I look forward to stopping by now and then to read up on your life and activities. Feel free to do the same with my blog. Thank you for visiting recently. – Bob

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      1. You’re most welcome I’ve had fun going back through your blog and looking at the posts. You do lead a fascinating life. Although my ancestors were all from Europe I’ve never been there. My travel experiences are all in the far east. It’s fun to be able to travel. Considering how big the United States is I suppose I’ve done a fair share of traveling and living myself. I’ve lived on both coasts and New England and the South. I make my home now in Oregon which is, by far, the most beautiful state I’ve seen.

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  7. Thank you for the likes on my posts which prompted me to visit your blog… Very nice, and your pastels are lovely! I look forward to your future posts 🙂

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  13. I would love to have flowers and veggies…
    but there are too many deer passing through and they really, really love flowers and veggies. Kind of like dessert for them, I think.

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      1. It probably is the dog. We have 2 cats and the deer have come right up to the glass door in the basement….to look at them. My cats don’t know how to bark, so they just kind of sit there staring back at the deer. 😉 Also, the cats don’t go outside and I think the deer have figured that out.

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  21. Now I get it. You’re part painter and part photographer. You’re a Paintographer. How’d you learn digital art? A local college or an online course maybe? I think this might be in my future. Then I could make art instead of just change my blog theme.
    I’m also part of the count my blessings for a supportive husband, grown kids, and wonderful grandkids.

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    1. A Paintograher – I like that. 🙂 My learning has all been through play – no courses, same as my watercolours. My reply to Bluebrightly’s comment on this post provides a bit more info. Thank you, Kelly – I really appreciated your comment. 🙂

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  22. your paintaings are beautiful! what an incredible gift! the barn on the hill is simply stunning! i am now a fan…thanks for sharing!

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  23. thank you Lynne for visiting my site and liking my blog. you have a beautiful site and i can’t wait to read your blogs!

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  26. Bonjour Lynne,

    Wow – your paintings are beautiful and technically stunning – aquarelle l suspect and full of love, passion and dedication on your part, We love them.

    T

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    1. Oh, so kind. I noticed your footprints through my posts. I am retired now and so I indulge myself – what I like gets done; what I don’t, doesn’t. 😉

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  28. “Life is good” and so it is. A subtle yet profound line. Just like your paintings. thank you for stopping by and leaving your footprints. will be back for more. ☮

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  32. Well said…sounds like a good life! And, thanks for stopping by and liking my “Travel theme” post. I’m no photographer either, but enjoy participating in the challenges.

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  35. Beautiful and inspiring! Very glad to find your work….I come from a family of artists and although my creativity is expressed through my acting and writing work, I’ve always wanted to paint. I think now is the time to try….

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    1. Well I really liked your door post, as I am a lover of doors as well. One shot of a simple door – if it would just release it’s stories and tell us who has passed through …

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  40. Dear Lynne! I’ve been coming round your blog but this is the first time I came to the “About” page! I used to be a conference person and now I’m doing media, but really I would love to pursue photography and the arts! You are an inspiration – some day I shall begin my creative pursuit too! Happy 2013 by the way! 🙂

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    1. Ohhh, I like being an inspiration! I expect you are using your creative juices within your work life (and it’s gotta be nice to get paid for it) but I do hope you also get time to create for pure pleasure, on your own time and in your own way. Happy pursuits and good things in the coming year.

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  45. I love your paintings! And your photography! both are expressive of your artistry! keep on clicking on both fronts!

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  46. Life is good. I just retired in August, and am loving it – trying my hand at writing and photography. I’ll be following your progress. Your paintings are beautiful. That takes SO much time. I think it takes a while to process each picture – paintings – WOW!! Wish I had your talent!

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        1. I’m not disciplined enough to be able to come up with a required set of illustrations/drawings. A friend who started painting with me has gone the route of teaching – and I’ve been approached a few times – but I want to keep it as fun and preppring for lessons just would not be fun in my opinion. My friend, however, thrives on it.

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    1. I have seen the Super 7’s of other bloggers and there are some beautiful photos … this is going to require some thought … Thank you, Amy … I’m off to the belly of my computer …

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  63. Just wanted to let you know I have nominated you for the Inspiring Blog Award! To see more about the award and this nomination, please visit my post at http://wp.me/p2ekZU-xl.
    I hope this will be welcome news for you. If you prefer not to accept the award, I certainly understand, but I hope you will visit the other nominees, and they will visit you, just the same. All the best!

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  64. Pingback: Inspired by the Inspiring Blog Award | The Retiring Sort

    1. Thank you, Amy – I enjoyed your England set – but that bullet/phallic building- ? Interesting architecture but I found it a blight on the London skyscape – call me old-fashioned but, for London, I prefer the historical buildings – the bullet would look great in Dubai 🙂 … don’t ask me about the Eye. Did you go on the Eye?

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  70. Pingback: In Accordance with Award Rules – The Nominees Are… | The Retiring Sort
  73. Pingback: Kreativ Blogger Award | corey m. p.

  76. Hi Lynne! I had to stop by to say hello and thank you for following me today. What a delightful surprise awaited me. Your photography and paintings are lovely. Wow. You have talent. I can’t wait to read/see more from you in the future. Count me in as one of your followers.

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  77. Hello Lynne – I saw that you stopped-by my blog yesterday…thank you for visiting and for letting me know you were there. 🙂

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    1. And now I’ve had a look around at your flickr I’ve seen some more of your art, wow you’re very talented. And your photos, thanks for reminding me of St Davids. I also love to travel, take photos and write about it!

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  84. Ah, a traveler, a writer, and a painter. My three loves. How could I not follow you?
    Will be adding a painting page to my blog…. as soon as I figure out how!

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  85. Hi Lynne, I’m not sure why wordpress didn’t register my following you a couple of days back. But I did it again, just to be sure. In case you wonder, again. Thank you for following me 🙂

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  87. Hi,

    I am the publishing editor of 72&Rising Magazine, a magazine dedicated to all things water. The magazine covers everything from wildlife and conservation, science and research, people and cultures to photography, travel and adventure.

    We are currently in the process of redoing our website where we hope to have submissions from a wide range of people that love and are involved in water in all its forms. I recently came across your blog and wondered if you might be interested in contributing an article with images to our site? We would of course include a link back to your website.

    We also have a section in the magazine where we feature artists to enable them more exposure for their work. Please contact me for more details if you are interested.

    Many thanks
    Rowena

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  90. Thank you for checking out my blog and the follow! You have a very interesting blog too and I look forward to browsing your archives!

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