Author Archives: russtowne

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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.

To Protect His Heart

Posted on June 7, 2012 by russtowne

My wife was once asked in front of a group of 50 or 60 men, “What do you believe is your most important job as a wife? Some of the men looked at me to see if I knew what … Continue reading →

Posted in Abundance, Family "Fun", Gratitude, LIfe Lessons, True Stories I've Written | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Posted on June 6, 2012 by russtowne

Originally posted on GYA today:
Meghan Vogel, a young lady who lives by GYA. Kudos to you, Meghan. credit: NBC news

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Being A Friend Is One Of the Most Selfish Things I Do

Posted on June 6, 2012 by russtowne

Dear internet friend Jan Beek recently kidded me in her kind way when I said I was selfish. I’ve learned that being selfish isn’t always a bad thing–as long as others are helped by my being selfish. Jan’s comments reminded … Continue reading →

Posted in Friendship, Growth/Learning, Healing, LIfe Lessons, Observations, Random Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Tail-Waggin’ Squirrel’s Tale

Posted on June 6, 2012 by russtowne

A great friend and wonderful human being named Tom sent this story to me. It came with a lot of cute photos but most (ok ALL of them that weren’t from reblogs–SIGH) of the photos I’ve tried to download into … Continue reading →

Posted in Dogs & Other Wonderful Creatures, Friendship, Generosity, Inspiring, Making the World a Better Place, Nature, Optimism, Parenting, Vids & Stories That Touched Me | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Too Stubborn and Selfish

Posted on June 6, 2012 by russtowne

On the way home from our at-least-weekly Date Night this evening, I flashed back to the comments a good man said to my then-fiance’ and me 34 years ago, when we were about 20 years old. We’d asked him to … Continue reading →

Posted in LIfe Lessons, Observations, Optimism, Random Thoughts, Relationship Lessons Learned, True Stories I've Written | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Reaching For The Top

Posted on June 6, 2012 by russtowne

I’d like to introduce you to a very special 16 year old girl and her blog, and I’m doing so via re-blogging this small post with a big message from her blog. I find Sheila’s posts refreshing and encouraging. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Courage, Creativity, Growth/Learning, Inspiring, LIfe Lessons, Observations, Quotes I Love | 2 Comments

Posted on June 5, 2012 by russtowne

I’ve never seen this quote, but I think it’s fantastic. What a great message and easy way to remember it! I just discovered the blog from which this post is re-blogged , but I like what I’ve seen so far! … Continue reading →

Posted in Growth/Learning, Inspiring, LIfe Lessons, Observations, Optimism, Quotes I Love | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Flaws or Features?

Posted on June 5, 2012 by russtowne

I just read a post and saw a vid that I loved about whether our flaws are in fact really features and how they serve us. Please check out the links below. I highly recommend them. http://odewire.com/whatisaflaw http://interactive.nfb.ca/#/flawed/?ec=en20110608

Posted in Growth/Learning, LIfe Lessons, Observations, Vids & Stories That Touched Me | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Posted on June 5, 2012 by russtowne

Originally posted on A Leaf in Springtime:
If the only prayer you said in your whole life was “Thank you”, that would suffice ~Meister Eckhart (1260 – 1328) To be given this day to see, to love, to learn, to grow.…

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Thank Goodness For My Failures

Posted on June 5, 2012 by russtowne

“Live the life you’d dare to live if you knew you could not fail.” –R.B. Brooke I like the intent and message of this quote. And, I think a life that never involved failing would rapidly prove dull and lifeless. … Continue reading →

Posted in Courage, Gratitude, Growth/Learning, LIfe Lessons, Observations, Quotes I Love, Random Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments