Author Archives: russtowne

About russtowne

I'm awed by the beauty of nature and the power of love and gratitude. Some of my favorite sensory experiences include waves crashing on rocky shores, waterways in ancient redwood and fern-filled forests, and rain. My wife and I have been married since 1979. We have 3 adult children and 5 grandchildren. I manage a wealth management firm that I founded in 2003. My Beloved is a Special Education teacher for Kindergartners and First Graders. I'm a published author of approximately 60 books in a variety of genres for grownups and children.

Wind and Fire

Posted on February 27, 2013 by russtowne

“Distance does to love what wind does to fire… it extinguishes the weak and fuels the strong.” I love this saying and believe it to be true and profound. This was sent to me by the wonderful lady who married … Continue reading →

Posted in Commitment, Courage, Loneliness, Love, Marriage | Tagged Afghanistan, friends, helicopter, loneliness, Love, marriage, sacrific, service, war | 8 Comments

Something Punny Tuesday

Posted on February 26, 2013 by russtowne

Sorry! I couldn’t help myself! I tried to mooove away from the photo but it had me by the horns. And the photo was so black-and-white despite being in color. I think that cow is spot on! Doesn’t she just … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Humor | Tagged cow, humor, pun, punny, Tuesday, udder | 17 Comments

Collateral Compassion and Kindness

Posted on February 25, 2013 by russtowne

When you see a man led to prison say in your heart, “Mayhap he is escaping from a narrower prison.” And when you see a man drunken say in your heart, “Mayhap he sought escape from something still more unbeautiful.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Compassion, Kindness, Love, My Beliefs, Quotes I Love, Words or Quotes I Believe I Coined but please let me know if you heard them earlier elsewhere | Tagged beautiful, collateral compassion, collateral kindness, compassion, disappointment, hate, Kahlil Gibran, kindness, Life, self, selfish, unbeautiful, understanding, wordsmith.org, world | 4 Comments

Best Friends

Posted on February 25, 2013 by russtowne

An old cowboy was riding his trusty horse followed by his faithful dog along an unfamiliar road. The cowboy was enjoying the new scenery, when he suddenly remembered dying, and realized the dog beside him had been dead for years, … Continue reading →

Posted in Authentic Living, Dogs & Other Wonderful Creatures, Friendship, Stories That Touched Me | Tagged cowboy, Dog, Heaven, horse | 13 Comments

My Waffle Wedded Wife

Posted on February 24, 2013 by russtowne

I must be in a funny or silly mood today as my posts mostly involve laughter. The video below is no exception despite it being about solemn wedding vows. I love how the wedding official tries to keep it together … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Ventroliquist Humor

Posted on February 24, 2013 by russtowne

I love to experience laughter, whether it is myself laughing or the laughter of others–preferably both. I find it is soothing and uplifting, and sometimes when a situation seems dire enough, and the only choices left appear to be to … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 12 Comments

Get Your Stories Straight

Posted on February 24, 2013 by russtowne

(This is a re-post for newer friends of this site.) Like nearly all siblings, our sons sometimes got into quarrels. When that occurred, my Beloved and I attempted to unravel how it started so we could create learning lessons as … Continue reading →

Posted in Challenges, Children, Family "Fun", Parenting, True Stories I've Written | Tagged beloved, boys, children, consequences, humor, parenting, siblings, trouble | 11 Comments

Laughing At Mistakes

Posted on February 24, 2013 by russtowne

Here’s some healthy humor for those who could use an extra-large dose of it today: “Laughing at your mistakes can lengthen your life. Laughing at your wife’s can shorten it.” –CK/Forever Awezome Love, Russ

Posted in Humor, Marriage, Mistakes | Tagged Forever Awezome, healthy, laughing, laughter, Life, mistakes, quote | 4 Comments

Jonathan? Is That You?

Posted on February 24, 2013 by russtowne

I saw something blur by It was high in the sky And quite an amazing show As I stood on the shore far below. It was a bright white bird with glowing wings The fastest seagull I’ve ever seen. He … Continue reading →

Posted in Acceptance, Poetry I Wrote | Tagged Jonathan, Jonathan Livingston Seagull, poem, poetry, Seagull, shore | 4 Comments

Photos From Shangri-La

Posted on February 23, 2013 by russtowne

Here are a few photos taken from the enclosed balcony of the Bed & Breakfast where stayed in Pacific Grove. The photos don’t do the picturesque scenes justice. They were taken from an iPad, at less than ideal times of … Continue reading →