Category Archives: True Stories I’ve Written

True short stories

Update and Clarification

Posted on November 3, 2013 by russtowne

Much of the material for “From the Heart of a Grateful Man” is being drawn on, or derived from, earlier writing or notes that I’d created thinking some day they might come in handy if I ever decided to write … Continue reading →

Posted in Abundance, Following Your Passion, Life, LIfe Lessons, My Beliefs, Non-Fiction Writing I've Done, Observations, Passion, True Stories I've Written, Writing | Tagged "From the Heart of a Grateful Man", author, books, non-fiction, writing | 12 Comments

Who Would Do Something Silly Like That?

Posted on September 9, 2013 by russtowne

This experience may have been the most embarrassing of my life–-and considering how many such moments I’ve had, that is really saying something! Many years ago I’d volunteered to take a car load of stuff that my employer needed for … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Love, Marriage, Non-fiction Stories I've Written, Non-Fiction Writing I've Done, True Stories I've Written | Tagged epic fail, Family, humor, marriage, non-fiction, stories, Work, writer, writing | 13 Comments

The Day the Girls Rescued Me

Posted on September 2, 2013 by russtowne

(A Re-post for newer readers to this site.) Many years ago I was in a high school Marine Corps JROTC program as the Vietnam War was coming to an end. It was not a real popular time to be in … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Anger, Bullying, Choices, Community, Friendship, Non-Fiction Writing I've Done, True Stories I've Written, Uncategorized | Tagged author, boys, bullies, bullying, girls, high school, JROTC, media, non-fiction, non-fiction stories, taunting, uniform, USMC, writer, writing | 11 Comments

Don’t Smile!

Posted on August 25, 2013 by russtowne

(A repost for newer folks to this site.) My Beloved and I found that one of the hardest things about disciplining our young children was staying serious when scolding them—especially when every instinct in our bodies and minds wanted to … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Family, Family "Fun", Fun, Parenting, True Stories I've Written | Tagged child, children, discipline, fun, humor, parenting, scolding, wife | 6 Comments

Under 1 Roof: 12 Kids, 2 Women, and 1 Very Patient Man

Posted on May 2, 2013 by russtowne

For those who are tired of reading my poetry–and I imagine that your numbers are legion–I’ve decide to re-post a story and a song or two. Here’s a story for newer readers: Under 1 Roof: 12 Kids, 2 Women, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Abundance, Challenges, Children, Parenting, True Stories I've Written | Tagged Abundance, challenges, Family, humor, Love, relatives, scarcity, story, true story | 9 Comments

A Wonderful Day

Posted on April 28, 2013 by russtowne

Yesterday was my Grandson Thomas’ first birthday, and today about 80 relatives and a few of his parents’ friends gathered to celebrate in a large park not far from my home. The weather was perfect; agreeably warm with a slightly … Continue reading →

Posted in Abundance, Family "Fun", Grandparenting & Grandkids, Joy & Happiness, Kindness, Parenting, True Stories I've Written | Tagged Family, grandparenting, Grandson, homeless, homeless man, kindness, Love, parenting | 25 Comments

Get Your Stories Straight

Posted on February 24, 2013 by russtowne

(This is a re-post for newer friends of this site.) Like nearly all siblings, our sons sometimes got into quarrels. When that occurred, my Beloved and I attempted to unravel how it started so we could create learning lessons as … Continue reading →

Posted in Challenges, Children, Family "Fun", Parenting, True Stories I've Written | Tagged beloved, boys, children, consequences, humor, parenting, siblings, trouble | 11 Comments

An Outie That Was Really An Innie In A Onesie

Posted on February 20, 2013 by russtowne

My Beloved and I plan to head out shortly after 1pm our time but I thought I’d share with you a quick note from our older son regarding our grandson: “I thought Thomas had eaten so much his belly button … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Grandparenting & Grandkids, Humor, Parenting, True Stories I've Written | Tagged Cheerio, Cheerios, grndson, innie, onesie, outie, son, Thomas | 11 Comments

A Dying Man’s Last Request

Posted on February 17, 2013 by russtowne

A re-post for newer friends: My biological father (I’ll call him “RP” for the remainder of this post) was an avid golfer. He always dreamed of playing the Pebble Beach Golf Course. He and another man wanted to play the … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Challenges, Commitment, Duty, Humor, True Stories I've Written | Tagged 18th hole, ashes, beach, beloved, clubhouse, dirty, dying, golf course, last request, martini, ocean, security guard, urn, vodka | 8 Comments

The Day My Beloved Got Me Fired

Posted on February 2, 2013 by russtowne

(A re-post for newer friends of this blog.) Back in 1980, several months after we got married, my Beloved got me fired. It all began when I had to take time off from work due to the simultaneous removal of … Continue reading →