My grandson Thomas saving the galaxy, tickling the paws of a giant bear, and being buried up to his head at the beach by his daddy, plus a sculpture that we found at a Tyrolean restaurant we enjoy that to me does a good job portraying the joys of childhood. A bonus is we got to drive through a forest of giant redwoods to go from the beach to the restaurant perhaps twenty minutes away. It was a delightful day.
With Love,
Russ
I have just cast off on another journey into the unknown down the Creative River. I have no idea how long this journey may be, where I’ll end up, or even if I’ll be able to complete it, but the river calls to me, and much like the eyes of an enchanting woman in a painting I was once touched by, I must answer. The working title is, “It Was Her Eyes.”
If you’d like to learn more about where the story idea came from, what it’s about, etc, please check out my post at Imaginings of a Grateful Man:
https://imaginingsofagratefulman.com
With Love,
Russ
Stargazing
Stargazing has always been one of my favorite pastimes! I especially enjoyed it as a child when we visited relatives in Oregon. They lived way out in the country. There were so many more stars to see without city glare. My cousin Earl and I watched them for hours in sleeping bags beneath a magnificent canopy of stars so magnificent they put diamonds to shame. We were entranced by their beauty and grandeur, and especially enthralled and delighted by “shooting stars.” We’d talk about everything and nothing, thinking great thoughts and asking universal questions, sometimes wondering if we were the first who’d ever spoken them, and dreaming aloud, unaware how blessed we were to be able to do all of those things with each other.
Gradually, when we no longer could keep our eyes open sleep arrived bringing another type of pleasant dreams.
Earl and I recently reconnected after many years. We now have conversations on the phone a couple of times per month that meld memories of two young boys with the stories of our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. We’re amazed that our stories now span four generations of children who stargaze and dream.
In honor of the role Earl played (and still plays) in my life and the memories we made together that still bring smiles to my face and joy to my heart 50 years later, I dedicated my most recent book to Earl and his wife Nancy.
With love,
Russ
This gallery contains 15 photos.
Originally posted on Around ZuZu's Barn:
Reflecting Clouds Did you know there are people in the world who collect clouds? They’re called Cloudspotters, members of The Cloud Appreciation Society. You’re probably wondering how one would go about the…
When I was young, I saw the movie Sabrina with Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn, and William Holden. Later in life I saw the remake. I greatly enjoy both versions, and a scene from them that inspired one of my dreams was when Mr. Larrabee the wealthy man placed stock transactions from his car phone while his chauffeur wisely listened and learned from him. I remember thinking as a young man, perhaps in my early teens, that I’d love to be in either of their seats because I knew in my heart even way back then that both men were creating wealth, and if I was in one of their seats I too could create it.
I recently realized that my dream had come true, with a twist. I’d learned to create wealth by studying what honest men who’d built great wealth over several decades had done. Men such as Warrant Buffett and Charlie Munger were my Mr. Larrabee. I listened, read, and learned. Now I’m a Mr. Larrabee for some of my wealth management Clients.
I realized my dream had come true when I read the tag line on my business cards:
“Wealth-Creation and Preservation
Strategies for Long-Tem Investors”
I now know it was no accident that Mr. Larrabee let his chauffeur listen and learn, and Messrs. Buffett and Munger do the same for those who want to grow as investors. They wanted to share what they’ve learned with others. I’m grateful for what I’ve learned, and share my knowledge and strategies with others.
With love,
Russ
This post opened my eyes in a number of ways. I enjoy reading and watching thrillers and have written several short stories of that genre. Unfortunately, I’ve half-written several more, eventually setting each aside “to focus on other things.” I don’t usually read or watch stories of the paranormal but I’ve enjoyed a few, and on the relatively rare occasion where a story idea of that genre came to mind the whole story quickly flowed out of me. They often involved love though I don’t think they are primarily romance. Writing them felt pleasurable and natural, and it just occurred to me that I’ve never left any of them half-written. In the last few days I’d begun to have a gnawing empty feeling regarding writing and your post is the catalyst that just led me to the decision to begin to focus on writing paranormal stories that often involve love.
I’m changing boats for the next part of my adventure navigating the Creative River. I can’t wait to see what is around the next bend!
With love,
Russ
That sounds wise to me. It can also add to the adventure and sweetness of life to sing and write songs, make poetry, and create pictures. There is love in appreciation and creation, and our lives and the world are enhanced in their presence.
With Love,
Russ
I believe that an even better trick is learning to let the good stuff in and keep the bad stuff out, learning from the bad stuff that snuck in, appreciating all the stuff, and sharing the beautiful stuff with the world.
With love,
Russ
Newer followers to this site may not be aware that I started my writing hobby about five years ago as a lyricist for songs. I discovered a while back that nearly all of the songs are on Youtube. You can find them by typing Russ Towne in the search filed.
With Love,
Russ
Some relationships, companionships, fellowships can also be mighty fine. Hardships are not fun but can be great vessels for learning and growing.
With Love,
Russ
“The finest vessel on the sea of life is the Friendship” Annon
#1linerWeds.
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Russ Towne's A Grateful Man 