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.

Getting To Know Each Other Better

Posted on January 27, 2013 by russtowne

Our DIL Kristi (the one carrying our twin grandchildren) mentioned during their holiday visit to us that she and our son Brian bought a book with questions for couples and they use it to get to know each other better. … Continue reading →

Posted in Communicating, Love, Marriage, Relationship Lessons Learned | Tagged couple, couples, date night, dinner, growth, learned, Love, marriage, questions, Relationship | 12 Comments

Posted on January 26, 2013 by russtowne

Originally posted on bwthoughts:
He was the grandson of a warlord but now a man of modest means. She came from the elite of a middle eastern state, her mother an ambassador, her father an industrialist and adviser to the…

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Context Is Everything

Posted on January 26, 2013 by russtowne

While waiting in the Urgent Care facility for my Mother-in-Law to be checked out after her bad fall down the escalator, a woman seated just two seats away from me was talking quite loudly into what appeared to me to … Continue reading →

Posted in Attittude, Awareness, Children, Parenting, True Stories I've Written | Tagged children, deaf, elementary, iPod Nano, MIL, Mother, Mother-in-law, parent, School | 11 Comments

The Phone Call

Posted on January 26, 2013 by russtowne

Sometimes things can change in an instant. One moment I was watching the U.S. market wind down, and the next… The phone call came in at about 12:45pm today. A woman who identified herself as the manager of (a major … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Family "Fun", True Stories I've Written | Tagged escalator, father-in-law, fell, FIL, hurt, MIL, Mother-in-law, urgent care, wheelchair | 14 Comments

Posted on January 26, 2013 by russtowne

Originally posted on A Daily Thought:
These are GREAT! Thank you for sharing them, Judy. The first one looks EXACTLY like my dog Duke. Russ A Daily Thought View original post

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Posted on January 26, 2013 by russtowne

Originally posted on Teacher as Transformer:
When Kathy and I decided I would teach one more year, I wanted to make it the best year possible. I tired last year, was in physical pain, and it was difficult to be…

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Doggone Good News!

Posted on January 26, 2013 by russtowne

I just read the following and hope it is true: AS OF TUESDAY , DEC 4, A BILL HAS BEEN PASSED BY THE US HOUSE AND SENATE THAT DECLARES THAT OUR MILITARY WORKING DOGS OF ALL BREEDS WILL NO LONGER … Continue reading →

Posted in Dogs & Other Wonderful Creatures, Stories That Touched Me | Tagged Afghanstan, coming home, dogs, home, military, military dogs, military veterans, U.S., veterans, war, war zones | 8 Comments

I Believe

Posted on January 25, 2013 by russtowne

I believe That caring Is closer To the norm Than not Sadly, so are Fear and the feeling Of powerlessness If we empower Those who care And remove the reasons For their fear I believe The world Would improve In … Continue reading →

Posted in Compassion, Fear, Making the World a Better Place, Poetry I Wrote | Tagged believe, Caring, empower, fear, improve, powerlessness, wonderful, world | 8 Comments

“A Tale Of Two Townes”

Posted on January 25, 2013 by russtowne

My wonderful son Brian and delightful DIL Kristi just found out that they are having not one, but TWO, babies! For those keeping score at home, that’s TWICE the number of grandkids that are now on their way! One each … Continue reading →

Posted in Abundance, Children, Grandparenting & Grandkids, Humor, Parenting | Tagged Brian, grandchild, Grandparents, Kristi, Love, tale, Thomas, Townes, twice, twin, twins | 26 Comments

Head Winds

Posted on January 24, 2013 by russtowne

“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” – Henry Ford I don’t think I’ve ever seen this quote before, but I like it. It got me to … Continue reading →