Sunday, May 31, 2009

Another Russ Story

First off, I should start by saying that I didnt know Russ really at all but for those of you who loved him so much, I do have one more special little Russ story for you....................

I am a fisherman and recreational gold miner and I was doing some research one day on the internet and found some very helpful commments by Russ about the North Fork American canyon. Since he left his email address on the post, I emailed him a simple inquiry and was pleasantly surprised that he emailed back his phone #.

I called him and we chatted for the better part of an hour. I was very grateful that he gave so much of his precious time to a complete stranger, sending more information to me via email. I was also completely taken with his love for nature and especially the area that includes the North Fork Canyon. Without his help, I am not sure I would have been able to find my way down to the spot I wanted to access. Yesterday, I was rereading an email that he sent a couple of years back and though I would look up his website again, only shocked to find news of his tragic accident.

I only had an hour of time to spend with this warm and generous guy but it was quite special. I feel very sorry for his family and their loss. This has been just another reminder of how precious life is and how important it is to live it to the fullest while we are here. I got the impression that Russ lived an unusually rich life and everyone who knew him should be very grateful that they knew him.

David James, Manhattan Beach CA dsj1776@gmail.com

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Russ in a creek in his younger days...

Thought you'd all enjoy this picture of Russell hanging out in a creek as a kid... Doesn't this look like it could be a picture of Greg? It's not. Really. Enjoy.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Russell saving ticks!

I was chatting with Laura and Russ (her boyfriend) last night (yes, they are back in California), and as I watched Russ try to gentley catch some flying bug to let it go outside, it reminded me of one of the WEIRDEST things I remember my brother Russ every doing. Rich's dog, Fanky, had a big, swollen tick on his belly. Russ carefully removed the tick using the "counterclockwise unscrew" method, and then took to tick outside to let it go, because it deserved to live. I vividly remember thinking he was crazy, and was just "too" something... Now, in hindsight, it's just another example of someone who genuinely cared about all living creatures... even blood-sucking ticks! Oh, this was probably the summer of 1972; why I can remember this, I'll never know.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Beautiful hanging crystal...

The other morning I was relaxing with a strong cup of coffee and enjoying the sunrise. As it peeked through my front window, suddenly there were little rainbows everywhere. I had finally hung my beautiful crystal that Russell gave to me in honor of Julie's birth. It was in her room when she was a baby, and somehow got "lost" in one of the moves. I was so happy to find it recently, and to remember receiving this special gift from my brother when I had my first child. Looking back at a few pictures, he did enjoy getting down on the floor with Julie, and seemed quite taken with her. This crystal is the only gift I can clearly remember that Russ ever gave me, and I LOVE IT! Sure wish he was here with us, but I'll think of him each time the sun mixes with the crystal and gives me those gorgeous rainbows. Shellie