A New Site

Posted on June 25, 2013 by russtowne

Hi, everyone. I apologize for fading away for a while. I’ve been heavily focused on the release of my two children’s books, and just created a new blog called “Rusty Bear” which you can find at http://rustybear.me

I’ve noticed that some readers of “A Grateful Man” would love to have more frequent updates as to my various creative projects, while some would love to have fewer posts related to the process but are happy to see the completed creation.

Rusty Bear was created for those who want to experience more posts about the genesis of projects, my inspiration, behind-the-scenes looks at what goes into turning an idea into a finished creation, more details about my creative adventures and misadventures, what worked, what didn’t, and my best guesses as to why I go the result. I also plan to introduce you to talented and wonderful people in the creative world that I meet along the way.

For readers who are new to “A Grateful Man”, I plan to re-blog some of my better related posts on Rusty Bear.

I invite you to check out “Rusty Bear” for yourself! It is still under construction so please be patient.

Thank you!

Love,
Russ

Posted in Uncategorized | 10 Comments

Photos That Caught My Eye

Posted on June 21, 2013 by russtowne

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Sources:
Woman Tree & Dragon: Spiritual Networks
Special Delivery: Proud Grandma’s photo
Rock Bottom: Freedom With Writing’s photo
Hot Sand: Women Get It Free’s photo

Posted in Animals, Forgiveness, Fun, Humor, Love, Marriage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Some Quotes I Love

Posted on June 20, 2013 by russtowne

“Comparison is the thief of joy.” –Theodore Roosevelt (Source: Online Wellness Network)

“strength does not come from what you can do, it comes from overcoming the things you thought you once thought you couldn’t.” –Rikki Rogers (Source Online Wellness Network)

“Experience is not what happens to a man; it is what a man does with what happens to him.” –Aldous Huxley (Women too.)

“A smile is the light in the window of your face that tells people you’re home.” (Source: Let’s Be Positive Together)

Thank you for all the times you lit up the window of my face.

Love,
Russ

Posted in Adversity, Joy & Happiness, LIfe Lessons, Quotes I Love, Strength | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

“Rusty Bear and Thomas, Too”

Posted on June 19, 2013 by russtowne

RB and TT color cover draft sample_rb_pg01rb_pg03_sampleFinal Pre-color sketch RB and TT T Sleeping rb_pg03b

rb_pg02Here are some excerpts and illustrations from my second children’s book. It’s titled “Rusty Bear and Thomas, Too”. It is scheduled for release at the end of September, and will be a part of my Kickstarter Crowd-sourcing campaign (which could begin as early as next week.)

Before Thomas could think or say a word
“A family’s in trouble!” is what he heard.
Rusty Bear pointed to a nest up high.
“Mama bird is sick and too weak to fly.
She has three hungry babies that she can’t feed;
Please help me to help this family in need.
Their nest is falling apart from the wind.
She’s scared her nest won’t keep her chicks in.”
Thomas said, “We’ll find food and rebuild their nest.”
They worked real fast and didn’t stop to rest.
Thomas found the food he knew most birds eat:
Worms and bugs that would be a tasty treat.
—

But that towering tree looked very tall.
They became quite afraid that they might fall.
They had to be brave to get the job done.
So they faced their fears every single one.
—

When Thomas’ hand began to lose its grip,
Rusty Bear helped him so he wouldn’t slip.
And when one of his big paws missed a limb,
Thomas was right there to help steady him.
—

\Love,
Russ

Posted in Action, Adventure, Adversity, Animals, Challenges, Children, Children's Stories/Poems I Wrote, Choices, Compassion, Courage, Friendship, Goodness, Gratitude, Heroes, Inspiring, Kindness, My Written Works Misc., Project Updates for Children's Stories/Poems I Wrote, Teamwork | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

Choices that Change the World

Posted on June 18, 2013 by russtowne

“Everyone is a prisoner of his own experiences. No one can eliminate prejudices–just recognize them. –Edward R. Murrow (Source: A blogger I have a lot of respect for. I disagree with this quote so am choosing not to mention where I saw it. I support this blogger and don’t want to diminish his blog–which I like a lot–in any way.)

I no longer believe that quote to be true. Prejudice is gradually being eliminated a little more every day. Certainly not in everyone. But when one considers that when even just one person who had chosen prejudice and hate begins to choose love, acceptance, friendship and compassion instead, from that point forward their children and children’s children are very likely to follow their example. When I multiply that by the number of people who are becoming less hateful and more loving every day, it gives to me great hope for humankind and our planet. It isn’t happening overnight, but it is happening.

Russ

Posted in Choices, Compassion, Connection/Connecting, Hope, Making the World a Better Place, Observations, Random Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Two Views of Wisdom

Posted on June 17, 2013 by russtowne

“Wisdom is knowing I am nothing, love is knowing I am everything, and between the two life moves.” –Nisargadatta Maharaj (Source: Online Wellness Network)

I prefer to believe that wisdom is knowing that we are love, and it’s the material things beyond those needed to live that are nothing.

Love,
Russ

Posted in Life, Love, Observations, Random Thoughts, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Project Updates

Posted on June 17, 2013 by russtowne

I plan to use a Kickstarter crowd-sourcing campaign to help create and launch my first two or three children’s books. In that way I can give my friends, loved ones, and perhaps total strangers from around the world the opportunity to play a critical role in making these creations available to show youngsters how much fun reading and learning can be.

At this point, my plans include that those who participate will have opportunities to receive first-edition autographed copies of the book with a personal note from me, the chance to donate some of the books to a library of their choice, and for some, a personalized short poem about someone they love (possibly involving a character in one of the books), and/or perhaps one or more of the illustrations from the book signed by the illustrator and printed on high-quality (acid-free?) paper.

That way, the whole community can participate in, and be rewarded by the creation, of the books.

More details soon!

Love,
Russ

Posted in Abundance, Project Updates for Children's Stories/Poems I Wrote | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

It Will Be Enough

Posted on June 16, 2013 by russtowne

Now is all the time I have, but if I invest it wisely, it will be enough.

Love,
Russ

Posted in Observations, Random Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , | 12 Comments

The Last Words They’ll Hear

Posted on June 16, 2013 by russtowne

I was recently asked how often my Beloved and I “exchange “I love you’s” on the average?”

In case some of you might be interested in my answer, here it is:

Every member of my family says that every time we leave each other, at the end of every call, and it is the last thing My Beloved and I say to each other at night.

No matter how, when, or where we die, “I love you” will be the last words the others will have heard from us.

There is something very comforting to me in that.

Love,
Russ

Posted in Family, Love | Tagged , | 14 Comments

Two New Books Coming Soon!

Posted on June 14, 2013 by russtowne

Rusty Bear and Thomas Too Color ArtRB and TT cover page rough draft blessed for color rb_pg01Clyde and I Slide Color Artwork clyde_pg02Clyde and I Knotted Neck Color Illustration clyde_pg01Clyde and I Cover art for CDI recently wrote two children’s books. Here are sample illustrations, and excerpts of the text for the first one. One is scheduled for release via Amazon.com and others late in August and the other two months later. I’m working with an illustrator, interior layout and cover designer, and self-publishing consultant, all of whom have been wonderful to work with. I’m learning a lot and loving nearly every minute of it. I plan to work with an editor next week.

An excerpt from “Clyde and I” is at the end of this post.

The second book is about my carved redwood bear and my grandson Thomas (an older version of him because he is only 14 months old).

Both books will both be full-color.

I love forward to writing books about my other grandchildren too!

Other project updates:

For a variety of reasons, I’ve put the two children’s song projects on hold.

In the meantime, I’m writing two more children’s stories while I’m working on bringing to life the first two books.

An excerpt from “Clyde and I”:

Clyde and I
I went to say “hi” to new neighbors next door
And saw something I’d never seen before
When I say what I saw please don’t laugh
Because what I saw was a green giraffe!
He was standing on his head out in the rain
And the poor wet guy seemed in a lot of pain
His body swayed way up high
And his feet were stuck straight up in the sky!
I just stood there not knowing what to do
As he ate a banana that was bright blue!
—

Love,
Russ

Posted in Adventure, Children, Children's Stories/Poems I Wrote, Dreams, Following Your Passion, Grandparenting & Grandkids, Project Updates for Children's Stories/Poems I Wrote, Teamwork, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 22 Comments