Author Archives: russtowne

About russtowne

My wife and I have been married for over 33 years. We have 3 adult children and recently became grandparents for the first time, with a second one on the way! I founded, own, and operate an investment management and advisory firm. My wife is a Special Ed teacher for Kindergartners and First Graders. In addition to our family and friends and my profession, my passions include writing poetry, song lyrics, and non-fiction short stories; tending a fern garden and small redwood grove on our property, hiking in ancient old-growth redwood forests, and watching old movie classics.

Big Joy In Life’s Little Miracles

(Source: Heart Touching Images) Love, Russ

Posted in Animals, Attittude, Beauty, Cheerfulness, Fun, Humor, Joy & Happiness, My Beliefs, Nature, Observations, Photos That Touched Me | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Rest In the Clouds

Reblogged from Misifusa's Blog: Meet Zach Sobiech We are all shining stars in this world.  Sometimes we don’t realize the impact we can make if we just let go and embrace who we are!  Being a conduit of love, happiness … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Being There

The story below touched me on multiple levels and I am grateful to Forever Awezome for posting it. I don’t know whether this story is true or not. I WANT it to be true, and believe that so many kindnesses … Continue reading

Posted in Choices, Commitment, Compassion, Connection/Connecting, Duty, Goodness, Heroes, Making the World a Better Place, My Beliefs, Stories That Touched Me | Tagged , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

To Infinity and Beyond to Lend a Hand

(Source: A friend found this at http://buff.ly/10FHdqv. I haven’t checked out that site.) The photo made me smile. To infinity and beyond. It’s a great blessing to have friends who will go the distance to lend a helping hand. Love, … Continue reading

Posted in Friendship, Heroes, Photos That Touched Me | Tagged , , , , , , | 14 Comments

The End Of An Era

I’m always appreciative and grateful when someone says something kind about this blog or honors it with an award, and I’ve just reached a decision that I’ve long considered and kept putting off until now. I no longer plan to … Continue reading

Posted in Awards: Sharing The Love, Gratitude | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

To A Friend Who Is Going Through Tough Times

A friend who is going through tough times recently wrote something along the lines that she needed to get out into nature. Dear friend: I wrote the lyric for the song linked above, and Kevin Harris wrote the music. I’m … Continue reading

Posted in Beauty, Believe, Dealing with Pain & Grief, Dreams, Feelings/Emotions, Friendship, Goodness, Loneliness, Loss, My Beliefs, Nature, Pain & Grief, Poetry I Wrote, Songs I've Written or Co-Written | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Precious Gems

(Source: I Stop For Suffering shared Tao & Zen’s photo) The Cosmos is filled with precious gems. I want to offer a handful of them to you this morning. Each moment you are alive is a gem, shining through and … Continue reading

Posted in Abundance, Awareness, Gratitude, Inspiring, LIfe Lessons, Observations, Quotes I Love, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The Value Of A Moment

(Source: Forever Awezome) I attempt to remind myself that EVERY moment is precious, as once it is gone so is a part of my life that I’ll never get back. I’m working on creating a lifetime of memory-making moments. Thank … Continue reading

Posted in Awareness, Children, Connection/Connecting, Joy & Happiness, Making Memories, Observations, Photos That Touched Me, Quotes I Love, Time | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Haircuts For A Hug

(Source: Forever Awezome) This story made me smile and gave my heart a warm hug. Anthony Cymerys is an 82-year old barber who gives haircuts to the homeless every Wednesday. Outdoors. He uses a car battery to power his clippers. … Continue reading

Posted in Generosity, Goodness, Ingenuity, Kindness, Making the World a Better Place, Photos That Touched Me, Stories That Touched Me | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

All Around Us

(Source: Karen Robiscue-Fan Page shared The Natural Parent Magazine’s Photo) Or someone. I believe such things and people are all around us every day if we take the time with an open mind and eyes and look closely enough to … Continue reading

Posted in Abundance, Attittude, Awareness, Beauty, My Beliefs, Observations, Photos That Touched Me, Quotes I Love | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments