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.

“Bugs Bunny Saved My Life’

Posted on May 22, 2012 by russtowne

A friend recently forwarded a post from Dan Lewis’ “Now I Know (That’s Half the Battle!)” that discussed Mel Blanc. I had already known that Mel had been the voice of many cartoon characters including Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Creativity, Humor, Making the World a Better Place, Vids & Stories That Touched Me | Tagged animation, Barney Rubble, Bugs Bunny, cartoons, Dan Lewis, Mel Blanc, Now I Know (That's Half the Battle!), Porky Pig, radio, saved his life, studio, talent, That's all folks!, voice talent, Warner Bros, Warner brothers | Leave a comment

Life Is A Mirror

Posted on May 22, 2012 by russtowne

“Life is a mirror and will reflect to the thinker what he thinks into it.” -Ernest Holmes I also believe that life is a magnifier and will magnify good and ill deeds out into the world and back onto the … Continue reading →

Posted in Abundance, Generosity, Gratitude, LIfe Lessons, Making the World a Better Place, Observations, Quotes I Love, Random Thoughts | Tagged Ernest Holmes, life is a mirror, reflects | Leave a comment

Nature Does Not Hurry

Posted on May 21, 2012 by russtowne

“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” –Lao Tzu

Posted in LIfe Lessons, Nature, Observations, Quotes I Love | Tagged accomplished, everythng, Lao Tzu, nature, nature does not hurry | Leave a comment

Posted on May 21, 2012 by russtowne

Originally posted on GYA today:
BE THANKFUL Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire, If you did, what would there be to look forward to? Be thankful when you don’t know something For it gives you the…

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Without Him, I’m Only Another Human

Posted on May 20, 2012 by russtowne

A friend sent the following to me because he knows how I much love dogs: Observations About Man’s Best Friend No matter how little money and how few possessions you own, having a dog makes you rich. — Louis Sabin … Continue reading →

Posted in Dogs & Other Wonderful Creatures, Forgiveness, Friendship, Healing, Humor, Observations, Praise | Tagged affection, attention, best friend, bonnie Wilcox, canine, Caring, Dave Barry, devotion, divine, dogs, Dorothy Hinshaw, E.B. Whilte, Edward Hoagland, Friend, Gene Hill, George Bird Evans, healing, Henry Wheeler Shaw, John Steinbeck, kindness, Louis Saben, Love, Milan Kundera, Rick Horowitz, Rita Rudner, understanding, vigilance | Leave a comment

A Quiet and Humble Hero is Gone

Posted on May 19, 2012 by russtowne

I just read an article about a man whom I remember reading about in 1976. Ed Ray was a quiet humble man who did what needed to be done when it needed to be done and in the process probably … Continue reading →

Posted in Courage, Making the World a Better Place, Vids & Stories That Touched Me | Tagged 1976, buried alive, California, Chowchilla, courage, Ed Ray, farm community, rural, school bus, school bus kidnapping, town | Leave a comment

The World is Full Of Magic Things Indeed

Posted on May 18, 2012 by russtowne

“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” — W.B. Yeats I don’t think I’ve ever seen this quote, but I like it. The world is full of magic things indeed. A walk … Continue reading →

Posted in Abundance, Grandparenting & Grandkids, Gratitude, Growth/Learning, Inspiring, LIfe Lessons, Observations, Praise, Quotes I Love, Random Thoughts | Tagged awe-inspiring, awesome, bucket list, camping, grandad, grandfather, Grandson, Grandson List, magic, nature, senses, sharper, stars, yeats | Leave a comment

Now This Is What I Call a Blue Light SPECIAL!

Posted on May 18, 2012 by russtowne

When Rankin Paynter found out his local K-Mart was going out of business he bought up its entire invenotry and donated it to a local charity that helps clothe and supply the needy in his community. He could have doubled … Continue reading →

Posted in Abundance, Creativity, Fun Vids, Generosity, Inspiring, Making the World a Better Place, Vids & Stories That Touched Me | Tagged Blue Light Special, charity, clothes, clothing, donated, entire inventory, good, good people, inventory, K-Mart, Rankin Paynter, small town | Leave a comment

How to Stop a Nightmare

Posted on May 18, 2012 by russtowne

The URL below takes you to a cute vid where a little kitten is having a nightmare, and its mama knows how to take care of the situation! http://www.wimp.com/stopnightmare/ http://www.wimp.com/stopnightmare/

Posted in Dogs & Other Wonderful Creatures, Fun Vids, Humor, Parenting | Tagged asleep, hug, kitten, mama cat, nightmare, sleeping | Leave a comment

Changing the World (Part II)

Posted on May 17, 2012 by russtowne

“I alone cannot change the World, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” – Mother Teresa She did indeed. And those ripples are likely to be felt for many generations. That’s quite a legacy.