“It’s Real!”

Posted on June 8, 2014 by russtowne

I was touched by the story below. It had more than the normal impact on me as I was born in ’57, turn ’57 this year, and dreamed of owning a ’57 Chevy Bel-Air with metallic paint the color of root beer (my favorite drink at the time.) I figure, if you’re going to dream, dream big, and be very specific!

The closest I got to having that dream come true in high school was a ’60 Rambler. For those who know cars, you know that owning a Rambler is a bit like owning a rumbling tank, while the ’57 Chevy Bel-Air is a classic beauty. Still, it was a fun and wonderful dream, and in truth, if I’d wanted the “car of my dreams” badly enough, I’d have owned it by now.

Still, it was a fun and wonderful dream, and I’m delighted that the dad in the story below had his dream come true.

From the SF Globe article:

“The son says: “Growing up my dad always dreamed of owning a 57 chevy bel-air. He grew up poor in a family of 7 children. He never thought he would be able to own his dream vehicle but would talk about it all the time.

When I was 8 years old I promised him that on his 57th birthday I would buy him a 57 bel-air. I never forgot and was able to fulfill my promise.”

http://sfglobe.com/?id=935&src=share_fb_new_935

With Love
Russ

Posted in Abundance, Family, Generosity, Love, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

What’s in a Name?

Posted on June 7, 2014 by russtowne

I’ve begun writing a lot of fiction and constantly need to think up more names for new characters. I’ve decided to honor my blogging friends and supporters by using parts of their names in various places in the fictitious stories, but only for honorable characters and institutions or names of places. I think you’ll have fun when you read some of the names of characters, places, and companies in some of my stories.

Those stories are, of course, fiction, and all the characters and events portrayed in them are either the products of my imagination–after all the blog name where they are posted is Imaginings of a Grateful Man–or are used fictitiously.

With Love,
Russ

Posted in Fiction, Uncategorized, Writing | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Taking the Next Step

Posted on June 5, 2014 by russtowne

It’s been a while since I last update many of you reading the team indie publishing projects.

Over fifty writers are participating with a total of about 137 of their creations. For many these anthologies are their print publication debut, while for many others this will be another in a long list of publications. I’m proud of the work they have all done, and honored to be a part of the team that is making these books happen.

All three anthologies appear to me to be at or very near capacity. We’re quite close to taking the next step in the process. I’m waiting for the last few bios from a few writers and poets, and will hopefully have everything I need by Sunday to send Heart Whispers to the interior layout and cover designer, and Palpable Imaginings and Slices of Life to the to the editor.

With Love,
Russ

Posted in Anthologies, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry, Short Stories, Teamwork, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Getting It All – Giving It All Away – Video

Posted on June 4, 2014 by russtowne

When I saw this video was over 14 minutes long, I groaned, as I had a busy day today. I almost didn’t watch it, but I’m glad I did. It was worth 14 minutes of my life, and I’ll bet it will be worth that much of your lives for many of you. Fun. Interesting. Remarkable. Inspiring.

Russ

Kindness Blog's avatarKindness Blog

A very unusual TEDx ‘happening’; from free pizzas to the world’s largest ever random acts of kindness; David Goodfellow tells the unexpected and heartwarming story of The Kindness Offensive.

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Posted in Uncategorized | 12 Comments

A New Story

Posted on June 3, 2014 by russtowne

I just posted my first attempt at flash fiction on my short story fiction site named Imaginings of a Grateful Man. It is called The Patsy. You can find it here: https://imaginingsofagratefulman.com.

It is also below. I plan to post another flash fiction piece titled The Elm Street Ladies Club at Imaginings of a Grateful Man, so if you like The Patsy I recommend you follow me on Imaginings of a Grateful Man.

The Patsy
By Russ Towne

“These lonely old ladies are such patsies,” Carlton Fitzgerald smiled wickedly to himself. “They’re all the same. Flash a smile, show them you’re interested in them, listen to their boring sob stories, build their trust, flash some fancy brochures about some non-existent gold mines, lie about how another little old lady got rich investing in the same mines, talk them into giving their life savings to you in cash so they ‘won’t have to deal with those greedy IRS agents’, then split.” This was the fourth little old lady he’d bilked in the last two months. “It’s almost like shooting fish in a barrel, only easier.” He smiled inwardly again.

He flashed his best, ‘You can trust me’ smile as she held the large bag of cash, hesitating. Her hands were shaking.

“But this is all I have. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost it.” Her voice trembled and was barely audible. The frail woman had to be pushing 90.

“There’s nothing to worry about, Martha. I gave you a written guarantee that this gold mine will double your money in less than six months, didn’t I? How could I do that unless gold was gushing out of the mines?”

“Well, since I have the written guarantee, I guess it’s safe.” She held out the old bag. He took it and said, “You won’t regret this.” He turned toward the door and crashed into all 6’ 4” 235 pounds of Detective John Marston who’d been waiting in a bedroom for this moment.

After the creep was cuffed and his rights were read to him, she smiled. “Well, John. How’d I do?”

“You did great, Aunt Martha.”

“That was fun. Can we do it again sometime?”

—

With Love,
Russ

Posted in Suspense, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Now What?

Posted on June 3, 2014 by russtowne

We hit the targeted number of 24 stories for the non-fiction group effort anthology Slices of Life featuring selected stories from eleven writers! At this point, the writers are:

Sheri de Grom
Koji D. Kanemoto
Teresa Karlinski
Mimi Krumholz
Kimberly Laettner
E.H. Landell
Sherri Mathews
Mike O’Connor
Darla Richter
Bill Webb
and me

I’m proud to be involved in a project involving such fine people and writers!

So now what? I’m waiting for the last few bios from some of the writers so I can send everything to the professional editor and to the marketing video creator.

Then the editor’s recommendations will be returned to the writers for their blessing or possible changes.

When that’s done it will all be sent to the interior layout and cover designer.

She’ll send suggestions for same to me and once I like what I see I’ll send it to the printer.

The printer will then send electronic and physical proofs to me.

Once I okay them, the book is sent to Amazon.com and is often listed for sale a day or two later.

With the wonderful creations of so many talented writers this project is a step closer to becoming a reality. Thank you all for your trust, friendship, and support.

With love,
Russ

Posted in Teamwork, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 24 Comments

“I Saw His Heart”

Posted on June 1, 2014 by russtowne

This story moved me deeply on several levels, and I’ll bet it does the same for many of you, my friends.

http://news.distractify.com/people/a-man-with-alzheimers-vanished-but-where-police-found-him-will-bring-tears-to-your-eyes/?v=1

With Love,
Russ

Posted in Adversity, Challenges, Compassion, Love, Vids & Stories That Touched Me | Tagged , , | 17 Comments

A Quick Request

Posted on May 31, 2014 by russtowne

We’re getting down to the wire on the three anthologies. So far, about 35 writers are participating with about 116 of their/our selected written creations.

I’ve had so much fun with these projects, and the quality and quantity of the creations have been so wonderful, that I’m considering compiling a second poetry anthology. I’ll probably begin a list of additional poems I love once the last of the 104 slots in Heart Whispers are filled so we’ll be off to a running start if I decide to go for it.

I mention all this because I’m toying with some possible titles for the second poetry collection and could use your help in selecting the best one to use. Four I have in mind all refer to something I often say to creative people when I experience their work:

“Thank you for sharing glimpses of your heart and spirit with me and the world.”

One is related to various sayings with a similar theme. I’ve adopted a version as a personal mantra and motto:

“Time spent doing anything without love is wasted.” (It is why I sign off “With Love” in my posts.)

Two other options combines the two ideas.

If you’d be so kind, please tell me which of the following you like best, or, if you don’t like any of them, please let me know.

Glimpses of Us

Glimpses of What’s Inside

Glimpses Inside

Glimpses

With Love

Glimpses of Love

Glimpses of Our Hearts

None of the Above

Perhaps with so many options you could mention favorite and least favorite ones. Thank you for your support.

With Love,
Russ

Posted in Choices, Heart, Love | Tagged , , , , , , | 26 Comments

Your Life Is No Longer Your Own (Tissues Required)

Posted on May 27, 2014 by russtowne

This post stopped me in my tracks on a busy day and made me think, made me even FEEL perhaps a tiny portion of what it must have felt like for the 13-year old boy when he realized he would be chosen, then felt the hand on his shoulder, and what happened next. A powerful and moving story.
Russ

Coach Muller's avatarMy Good Time Stories

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Photo Credit: Wikimedia

Read an amazing account of incredible sacrifice during World War 2 involving simple towns people.

Around this time each year, Memorial Day, I am reminded of a story that I once heard. Though the exactness of it I cannot confirm, I am assured its basis is quite factual, and its message definitely deserves to be retold.

The story is of a man, Andrew, who was known all his life for selfless sacrifice and good works. He always stood in defense of the defenseless, and toiled without tiring, standing up for the downtrodden and underprivileged. As he grew old, and people tried to honor him for his well-lived life of service, he was reluctant to accept the praise and attention that his community desired to heap upon him. It was then, for the first time, that he told a story that had burned deep in his heart and…

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Exciting News about Heart Whispers

Posted on May 27, 2014 by russtowne

The poetry anthology project titled Heart Whispers now has 16 poets contributing a total of 66 poems. The deadline for sending poems for consideration is May 31, so there is still a little time left! I’d love to experience your creations. Please send them to russtowne@yahoo.com.

I’m thrilled to announce that one of the participating poets has volunteered to create a marketing video for Heart Whispers! I’m withholding his name until it is complete to keep the pressure off of him, but I like what I’ve seen so far and believe this will be a wonderful way to help spread the word about this book.

The cover designer is also at work creating cover ideas so I may be able to share some of those with you soon.

Heart Whispers is much more about listening to the quiet messages of the heart and spirit on a large variety of subjects than it is about narrower topics such as just romantic love.

Some of you have inquired about the type of poetry I’m looking for. I seek poetry that touches readers so powerfully that tears of the joyous or healing variety flow freely and naturally, that readers feel they aren’t merely reading poems, but experiencing them. That create a sense of connection between the poet readers and world, touch on universal themes but in unusual ways, and is accessible and enjoyable for ages 12 to 112 regardless of education level. I’m less interested in highly structured unusual formats than I am in feeling I’m experiencing glimpses of the heart and spirit of the poet. Heart is far more important to me than polish or technically perfect poetry.

At this point, my best guess is Heart Whispers will be published in August, so in plenty of time for the holiday shopping season.

Thank you to all who are participating in this project and those who are helping to spread the word to poets and poetry lovers!

With Love,
Russ

Posted in Connection/Connecting, Creativity, Heart, Joy & Happiness, Love, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments