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.

Outsmarted by a 3-Year-Old

Posted on April 9, 2017 by russtowne

During the recent visit from our son Brian and his family I gave my 3-year-old grandson Zachary a couple of Graham crackers. I didn’t want him to have too many so I intentionally gave to him a couple of the ones that were … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Grandparenting & Grandkids, Humor, Love, Non-fiction Stories I've Written, Parenting, Uncategorized | Tagged Family, Graham crackers, Grandchildren, humor | 21 Comments

“Hi, Shoe! Bye Shoe!”

Posted on April 8, 2017 by russtowne

At the start of a carousel ride while at Gilroy Garden’s amusement park yesterday, three-year-old Alex decided at the last second that the horse he was on was too big (shortly after he’d said he wanted to be on the big one). I … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Family Fun, Grandparenting & Grandkids, Humor, Uncategorized | Tagged carousel, Family, Gilroy Gardens, Grandkids, humor | 13 Comments

More Pandemonium

Posted on April 8, 2017 by russtowne

Well, they’re gone. Our son Brian, wife Kristi, their three young children, and my Beloved left at 4 AM today, flying back to Maryland. (The latter to help them get through airports and while on the plane. She returns tomorrow.) It … Continue reading →

Posted in Family "Fun", Uncategorized | Tagged Family, Grandchildren, Relationships | 8 Comments

Highs and Lows

Posted on April 3, 2017 by russtowne

Our trip to the redwoods took two minivans for the twelve of us. The highway was jammed with cars headed for the beach over the mountains, so we took a scenic, windy, two-laned road through the mountains that unbeknownst to us … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Family "Fun", Family Fun, Grandparenting & Grandkids, Uncategorized | Tagged camping, Family, fun, Grandchildren, Grandparents, redwoods | 17 Comments

Mustache Mania

Posted on April 1, 2017 by russtowne

Let’s face it, these guys are goofy! Last night we decorated eggs for a week-early Ester celebration tomorrow. Photos to come in a later post. We watched Thomas’ T-Ball game this morning and who the twins got bored to them … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Family Fun, Grandparenting & Grandkids, Uncategorized | Tagged Easter, Family, fun, humor, redwoods | 16 Comments

Never a Dull Moment (Day Two)

Posted on March 31, 2017 by russtowne

A rodent got into a wall of our tiny old home and died shortly before our visitors arrived. The stink is most unpleasant in our guest’s bedroom, our bathroom, and the bedroom where my Beloved and I sleep. The drain of … Continue reading →

Posted in Challenges, Family, Family "Fun", Humor, Uncategorized | Tagged challenges, Family, humor | 13 Comments

Never a Dull Moment

Posted on March 30, 2017 by russtowne

Our tiny home is overflowing with love. And noise. And craziness. The reason: Five grandchildren under the age of five. Our son Brian and his wife and three boys are visiting from Maryland, and our other son Ben, and his wife … Continue reading →