Reporting for Duty

Posted on September 9, 2016 by russtowne

The day after 9/11, a man appeared at a New York City firehouse offering to help. He was a former employee — he had worked at the firehouse from 1980 to 1984 before changing careers. Despite his nearly two decades away from the firehouse, though, he was still a familiar face — he was actor Steve Buscemi. According to Wikipedia. Buscemi spent the rest of the week doing 12-hour shifts looking for lost firefighters and other victims of the attack.

Source: NoW I Know That’s Half the Battle by Dan Lewis

With Love,

Russ

 

 

Posted in Choices, Commitment, Compassion, Courage, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Power Inside

Posted on September 9, 2016 by russtowne

So true. It saddens me to see how much of that incredible power is wasted by those who do not believe in it within themselves. One of my goals in life is to help others to truly experience the awesome and glorious power within them.
With Love,
Russ

kmabarrett's avatarKevin Barrett's Blog

We do not need magic to transform our world.  We carry all of the power we need inside ourselves already.
  ―  J.K. Rowling
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On This Day In:
2015Sometimes I Feel Small
2014It Slipped Away
2013Corollary
2012Working Retired
2011The Web Is Not Authoritative! (Really?)

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The Illustrations Selected by the Curator

Posted on September 8, 2016 by russtowne

These are the four illustrations from my children’s books the Danville Art Gallery’s curator selected for its upcoming exhibit October 28, 2016 through December 17, 2016. I conceived the characters and Josh McGill illustrated them.

Wish love,

Russ

Posted in Art Exhibits, Children's Stories/Poems I Wrote, Children's Storybook Art Exhibits, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 15 Comments

We want to be called to our best selves. We long to figure out what that would look like.

Posted on September 8, 2016 by russtowne

“…cynicism is easy. It’s never proven wrong by the corruption or the catastrophe. It’s not generative. It judges things as they are, but does not lift a finger to try to shift them.” Here’s to everyone who chooses to make a positive difference in the world! May you succeed beyond your wildest expectations.
With Love,
Russ

Live & Learn's avatarLive & Learn

krista-tippett-becoming-wise

I’ve traveled a long way since my early life in Oklahoma— far enough to know that I might be accused of taking this virtue of hope too far. So be it. My mind inclines now, more than ever, towards hope. I’m consciously shedding the assumption that a skeptical point of view is the most intellectually credible. Intellect does not function in opposition to mystery; tolerance is not more pragmatic than love; and cynicism is not more reasonable than hope. Unlike almost every worthwhile thing in life, cynicism is easy. It’s never proven wrong by the corruption or the catastrophe. It’s not generative. It judges things as they are, but does not lift a finger to try to shift them. I experience the soul of this moment— in people young and old— to be aspirational. This is something distinct from ambitious, though the two may overlap. I’d say it this way:…

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A New Adventure

Posted on September 6, 2016 by russtowne

Thanks to a gracious invitation from Annette Rochelle Aben I’m scheduled to do a LIVE internet radio interview with her on Friday 1:30-2pm EDT this Friday, September 9th.  The program is called Tell Me a Story and she hosts it for The Magic Happens Radio Network.

Annette and I just had a lengthy telephone call that I thoroughly enjoyed and I look forward to the interview. It should be a lot of fun.

With Love,

Russ

 

 

 

Posted in Interviews, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

Available in Hardcover

Posted on September 5, 2016 by russtowne

My latest release is now available in hardcover!

Reflections from the Heart of a Grateful Man

With Love,

Russ

Posted in New Releases, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

It’s (Going to Be) a GIRL!

Posted on September 2, 2016 by russtowne

My Beloved and I just learned that our oldest son Ben and his wife Erika are expecting a GIRL! After four much-loved grandsons we were hoping for a girl and our wish is coming true! Thank you, Ben and Erika!

(Not everyone is as thrilled. Our oldest grandson Thomas was hoping for a baby brother.)

With Love,

Russ

PS I filed this under the “new releases” and “teamwork” categories, among others.

Posted in Children, Family, Grandparenting & Grandkids, Joy & Happiness, New Releases, Teamwork, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 23 Comments

My Latest Book Just Released

Posted on September 2, 2016 by russtowne

Reflections from the Heart of a Grateful Man ebook cover

Reflections from the Heart of a Grateful Man

My book titled Reflections from the Heart of a Grateful Man is now available as an eBook on Amazon and in the Kindle Store, and will soon be available in hardcover format at Amazon.

In this book you’ll experience many of the simple yet powerful ways powerful ways I’ve found to enhance my life and the lives of others. Through true heartwarming and humorous stories, observations, and sketches, in this book I book explore many of the things that can make life so rich. I’ve attempted to honestly share these stories with vulnerability, humor, and gratitude, and to speak from my heart with every word I wrote.It is my hope that experiencing this book will be like being wrapped in a homemade quilt on a cold day, and that you’ll feel my love and gratitude on every page.

Please note that is the combination of two of my earlier softcover books titled Reflections of a Grateful Man and From the Heart of a Grateful Man. I combined them because I, and some of my readers, believe the books belong together in a single volume.

With Love,

Russ

Posted in Family, New Releases, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments

Artwork from 3 of My Books to Be Exhibited

Posted on August 31, 2016 by russtowne

Characters from three of my children’s books have been invited to be part of an art exhibit  titled Storybooks by the Bay.

The characters scheduled to make their first appearance in an art exhibit include Clyde the Green Giraffe, Hoozy Whatzadingle, Rusty Bear, and Wilbur the Duck who Flew Upside Down.

 

Clyde and I Slide Color Artwork clyde_pg02

I plan to come along to ensure they behave. This is all new to me so I’ve got to come up to speed fast. I conceived the ideas for the characters for my books, then Josh McGill and I developed the prototype, then he illustrated them.

I plan to select scenes from the books to create the hang-ready artwork for the exhibit. To help in my selection, I’d love to hear which scenes are your favorites. Thank you!

With Love,

Russ

 

Posted in Children's Stories/Poems I Wrote, Children's Storybook Art Exhibits, Rusty Bear, Story Writing Adventures, Uncategorized, Writing Project Updates | Tagged , , , , | 17 Comments

One More

Posted on August 31, 2016 by russtowne

Author Photo Tree B&W

I’ve gotten so much positive response from the B&W photo of Sea that I asked Ian to send a B&W version of Tree to me. Here it is. I’d love to get your feedback regarding which of the four you think would make the best author photo.

Sorry for all the photos of me. As I prefer to experience that which is inside a person, photos of myself are actually one of the least favorite things on which I prefer to focus. I believe that at least these two shots (Sea and Tree) best capture my spirit.

We’ll get back to our regularly scheduled program shortly. Thank you for your patience.

With Love,

Russ

 

 

 

Posted in Author Photos, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 10 Comments