Remodels & Additions are Like Aging

Posted on March 21, 2018 by russtowne

Even the dogs have had enough!

I just came to the realization that our home remodel and addition project has been a lot like the aging process: The longer both go on the more things that I used to be able to do that I no longer can do, everything is more of a challenge, costs soar, it’s harder to get around, and everything takes longer than expected.

Seventeen months and counting. 20% over budget and 42% past deadline.

All of that said, I’m grateful to still be able to age and to improve our home. I’m well aware that many can do neither. We’re blessed.

After living with my clothes in boxes that have been moved many times since the project started, today for the first time I was able to put something away that is likely to stay where it is. I put a whole drawerful of clothes in a bureau. It was only one drawer and the bureau is still going to be moved multiple additional times before the project is done, but the clothes in that drawer won’t need to be transferred again. It felt like a major milestone had been reached. I heard choirs of angels singing and triumphant trumpets blaring as I celebrated the moment. Sometimes the small things in life can feel huge.

With Love,

Russ

Posted in Aging, Blessings, Gratitude, Home Addition and Remodel, Uncategorized, Victories & Wins, Vitories & Wins | Tagged , , , , | 13 Comments

A Fun and Fascinating Fact: Traffic Lights

Posted on March 21, 2018 by russtowne

A large part of my job as a wealth manager is to read. I probably read eight to ten hours per day, picking up a wide variety of information along the way. I’ve decided to post some that I think you’ll find fascinating or fun. Here’s the first:

Traffic lights are thought of as red, yellow, and green.  Many aren’t.  Red lights are actually a mix of red and orange lights while green lights contain blue lights, too.  Why?  To allow red/green colorblind drivers the ability to distinguish between the two. Source: http://nowiknow.com/television-dreams/

With love,

Russ

 

Posted in Fascinating Facts, Fun, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 4 Comments

“I Knew Better, But…”

Posted on March 20, 2018 by russtowne
today’sThot============================
Story of my life: I knew better but did it anyway.
=======================================
A man had trouble getting his neighbor to keep his chickens fenced in. The neighbor kept saying chickens were noble creatures, and they had the right to go where they wanted.
The man had no luck keeping the chickens out of his flower beds.  He tried everything…
Two weeks later, a visiting friend noticed the flower beds were doing great! They were blooming and beautiful.
So the friend asked, “How did you make your neighbor keep his hens in his own yard?”
“One night I hid half a dozen eggs under a bush by my flower bed, and the next day I let my neighbor see me gather them.  I wasn’t bothered after that.”
[forwarded by Gretchen Patti]
With Love,
Russ
Posted in Humor, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Their Beauty Stopped Me in My Tracks

Posted on March 19, 2018 by russtowne

IMG_3025

I saw these beauties suspended about four inches over a concrete walkway and they stopped me in my tracks.

With Love,

Russ

Posted in Beauty, flowers, Gardening, images, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Book Project & Events Updates

Posted on March 18, 2018 by russtowne
IMG_3009
I’ve just sent the third story in my book of action and suspense crime dramas to Beta Readers. The story is “The Misunderstanding.” It’s about a family who enrages a violent psychopath when they accidentally take his suitcase instead of their own at the airport.
I’ve changed the working title of the book to “Desperate Journeys” and plan to release it in the third quarter of this year.
Speaking of book releases, the softcover version of my children’s picture book “Sunny Saves the Day” is now available on Amazon.com. Jack Wiens illustrated it, Karen Smith edited it, and Kristi Towne did the book design. I’m delighted with what we’ve created. I’ll have signed copies of it and nearly all my children’s picture books at the first-ever Bay Area Spring Kid’s Book Faire on April 7th and 8th. Details of the event to follow. I’d be delighted to see you there!
With love,
Russ
Posted in Autographed Copies of My Books, Book Events and Interviews, Book Releases, books, Children's Picture Books, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

More Rain (YAY!) and Flowers

Posted on March 17, 2018 by russtowne

IMG_3003IMG_3005IMG_3006

A rainy day bestows liquid pearls on roses elegantly decked out to celebrate Spring in style.

With Love,

Russ

Posted in Beauty, flowers, images, Nature, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Some of My Favorite Things

Posted on March 16, 2018 by russtowne

IMG_2996

I snapped this shot during a rainstorm. I cracked open my window when the rain was pouring down. I love the the sound of rain.

With Love,

Russ

Posted in Beauty, flowers, images, Nature, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

This Could Be a Huge Breakthrough

Posted on March 15, 2018 by russtowne

Snippets from an article I just read via Leo @ Not All News is Bad:

“Researchers at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia have created a prototype of an alternative battery that runs on carbon and water.

“This is the first-ever rechargeable proton battery, an energy storage solution that runs off on cheap, environmentally friendly materials.”

Battery Breakthrough

With Love,

Russ

 

Posted in Science/Research/Discovery, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

The Force Fights Bullying

Posted on March 12, 2018 by russtowne

The Force Fights Bullying

The link above is to an article about a girl who came home in tears after wearing a Star War shirt to school and bullies said Star Wars is only for boys. What happened next touched me and made my day a bit better.

May your days be filled with blessings.

With Love,

Russ

Posted in heartwarming, Stories That Touched Me, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Heeeeeeere’s Sunny!

Posted on March 11, 2018 by russtowne

Sunny_Cover_full_picSunny_Cover_pic

My latest children’s picture book Sunny Saves the Day has been released via Amazon in hardcover format.

Sunny Saves the Day

It will be released in softcover format shortly Kindle eBook format eventually.  Jack Wiens illustrated it and Kristi Towne did the book design. I dedicated “Sunny” to Raiden Towne, our grandson who inspires me with his good-hearted nature and delightful disposition. Raiden is the youngest child of our son Brian his wife Kristi.

With Love,

Russ

Posted in Book Releases, children's books, Children's Picture Books, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments