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.

Adversity and Me

Posted on January 13, 2013 by russtowne

I can choose to let adversity Weaken or strengthen me The choice is mine Every time Russ

Posted in Adversity, Challenges, Poetry I Wrote, Quotes I Wrote, Words or Quotes I Believe I Coined but please let me know if you heard them earlier elsewhere | Tagged adversity, challenge, challenges, choice, choose, me, time, tough times | 8 Comments

Braces

Posted on January 13, 2013 by russtowne

(A repost for newer readers to this site.) Sometimes it is really tough to be a kid. When both of our boys needed braces we knew they were in for a rough time. In those days braces tended to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Challenges, Children, Parenting, True Stories I've Written | Tagged boys, braces, children, parenting, parents, self-esteem, sons, teeth | 20 Comments

Breaking Free

Posted on January 12, 2013 by russtowne

My heart aches when I see Tortured souls in society They toil, fret, and scheme To chase someone else’s dream So desperate in their quest For material success They jump through hoops In all the right ways To find only … Continue reading →

Posted in Love, Passion, Poetry I Wrote, Success | Tagged breaking free, dreams, fact, free, Love, loved, scheme, schemes, society, Success, tortured souls | 17 Comments

Regaining One’s Voice Via Technology

Posted on January 12, 2013 by russtowne

A year or two ago My Beloved had thyroid cancer and went through surgery, radiation treatments, etc. Vocal chords surround the thyroid and there is always a risk that when the thyroid is removed that temporary or permanent damage to … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Breakthroughs, Challenges, Stories That Touched Me | Tagged cancer, movie critic, Roger Ebert, thyroid, thyroid cancer, vocal chords, voice box | 12 Comments

Natural Meditation

Posted on January 11, 2013 by russtowne

If you could use a break and/or admire wildlife of the furry and feathered variety, I believe you’ll enjoy this short video as much as I did. http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=BUOQ_yPW_0s Russ P.S. You might also enjoy a song I co-wrote called “Nature’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Dogs & Other Wonderful Creatures, Meditation | Tagged beauty, music, nature, splendor | 2 Comments

Dismiss What Insults Your Soul

Posted on January 11, 2013 by russtowne

A FB friend named Nancy Parris has been on quite a roll today. Here are two more sayings she posted that I really like, and her sources for same: “Re-examine all you’ve been told. Dismiss what insults your soul.” -Walt … Continue reading →

Posted in Authentic Living, Choices, Growth/Learning, Poems By Others, Quotes I Love | Tagged Brigit Goldworthy Claivoyant Healing, delight, Denise Lin, dismiss, insults, lose, re-examine, sense, soul, Walt Whitman, wonder | 2 Comments

Parenting Humor

Posted on January 10, 2013 by russtowne

I just saw this on FB. It was on a someeeusercard (I have no idea what that is, but it might be worth checking out): “Welcome to being a parent of a teenager. Prepare for a large amount of eye … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Parenting | Tagged humor, parent, parenting, teenage, teenagers | Leave a comment

The Wait

Posted on January 10, 2013 by russtowne

Light can be too bright It can even hurt our eyes And make us blind If too much shines at one time Perhaps truth and wisdom Are like light’s rays We take in what we can But the rest must … Continue reading →

Posted in Acceptance, Patience & Persistence, Poetry I Wrote, Truth, Wisdom | Tagged blind, bright, days, light, poem, poetry, rest, shine, time, truth, wait, ways, wisdom | Leave a comment

Where’d He Go?!?!

Posted on January 10, 2013 by russtowne

I’m generally not fond of pranks for a fairly long list of reasons, but I occasionally come across one that is fun, funny, and appears to do no harm. The one linked below seems to fall into that category to … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Youth | Tagged car, drive-through, drive-thru, humor, McDonald's, no driver, prank, teenagers | Leave a comment

A Freshly Minted Eagle Scout at Age 85

Posted on January 10, 2013 by russtowne

I just read a remarkable story about an 85 year old man who finally was awarded a long-overdue Eagle Scout badge. Here are snippets: “It took a family tragedy and a world war to stop George Maher from becoming an … Continue reading →