Curt Iles

I write to have influence and impact through well-told stories of my Louisiana Pineywoods life.

The Old House Comes Alive

Fireplace at Old House

  The Old House Comes Alive Again I leave my mom’s home and walk the short distance to the Old House. It’s sunset and our homestead, built in 1892, stands starkly against the background of Crooked Bayou swamp. I hurry in from the cold and build a fire in the middle room fireplace, my favorite room, where I spent countless …

Read More »

Know Those Who Serve You

  Know Those Who Serve You   I wrote this story for my Grandsons. I believe you’ll enjoy it, too.   “Do unto others as you’d have them do unto you.” -Jesus in Luke 6:31 ESV “You can tell a great deal about a man from how he treats those who serve him.”   His name was Raymond, and we …

Read More »

Screen Door Living

Folk are enjoying many ways to enjoy the Creek:   AUDIO: You’ll enjoy stories  as you drive or work at the  Creekbank Audio Podcast.   VIDEO:  Visit our YouTube Channel to join Curt on the Old House porch as he shares stories weekly. FACEBOOK: Follow us at The Creek Facebook Page. Become a Facebook Follower and keep up with news from The …

Read More »

Visit The Creek on YouTube, Audio Podcast, and Facebook.

Here are ways to stay abreast weekly of what’s happening at The Creek: AUDIO: You’ll enjoy stories that resonate at our Creekbank Audio Podcast. VIDEO:  Visit our YouTube Channel to join Curt on the Old House porch as he shares stories weekly. FACEBOOK:  Follow us at The Creek Facebook Page. Become a Facebook Follower and keep up with news from The …

Read More »

Putting my friends, Noah and Maggie, to bed . . . for now

We are putting Where We All Belong for a rest. Sea Change: A NOTE TO MY READING FRIENDS Because of your encouragement and investment, I wanted you to hear this from me: After nearly two years of researching, writing, and editing, I am putting aside my historical fiction novel,  Where We All Belong, for now.  I’ve carefully put Maggie, Noah, Pieter, …

Read More »

Chicke Snakes, Two Sisters, and ‘Falling-Outs.”

    “Chicken Snakes, Two Sisters, and ‘Falling-Outs.’”   I was told this story years ago. It’s still one of my favorites. Two brothers were excellent carpenters and built houses together throughout the hill country near Fredericksburg, Texas.  But one day, they had a falling-out, and the result was that they stopped speaking to each other. Despite that, they continued …

Read More »

Outdoor Living: Where is your Prayer Tree?

  Visit our Creekbank YouTube Channel to view Curt reading “Outdoor Life.” Listen to an Audio Podcast of “Outdoor Life.”   Outdoor Living: Where is Your Prayer Tree? Years ago, I visited two of my sweetest friends, Phil and Trelvis Thomas. They lived north of Leesville on Mrs. Trelvis’ family homestead. After coffee, Mrs. Trelvis led me to a nearby …

Read More »

The Seed Tree

  Curt’s rendition of “The Seed Tree” can be seen on our Creekbank YouTube channel. Our audio Podcast is also available at Spotify. The Seed Tree I’ve been studying this majestic Loblolly pine for over thirty years. It’s located along LA Hwy 113 after you cross the Calcasieu River and enter Louisiana’s No Man’s Land. It caught my eye because it …

Read More »

News from the Creekbank

  Friends, We’re excited about sharing stories from our “soundstage” on the Old House porch in Dry Creek. Our YouTube Channel episodes come straight from my rocking chair, featuring stories with the crows and mockingbirds in the background. The  Creekbank Podcast shares our stories in an audio format. You’ll enjoy listening to these stories as read by the author (me). …

Read More »

Courage under Fire

What is “Courage under Fire?” Most people run away from trouble, while others run toward it: David: ”This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!” ”As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him.“ * What is it in a man that causes some to run away, while others face it head …

Read More »

Hands on the Plow

Perseverance: Keep your hands on the plow. Always be looking ahead. Jesus . “Anyone who starts to plow and then keeps looking back is of no use for the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62) Forward! Wishing for you a Forward-Day.

Read More »

A Reader Favorite: “The Evening Holler”

The Evening Holler   This is the first story from my first book, Stories from the Creekbank. Over thirty years later, it is still my most requested story. You can hear an audio version of the “The Evening Holler read by the author, at the Creekbank Podcast  as well as Spotify. Our YouTube Channel episode comes straight from my rocking …

Read More »

Resolve

    Resolve This week I’m thinking about the word “Resolve “ and its double first cousins, Grit, Determination and Perseverance. “Resolve: to act with determination, boldness, steadfastness, and faith.” Resolve: it’s a good word to have in our toolbox.

Read More »

It’s the 8th of January . . . and this is why it’s important.

Fireplace at Old House

Today is January 8, 2024 It’s the 8th of January and not just any ordinary day. Here’s why: “The Eighth of January” is a fast-paced fiddle song dating back to the Nineteenth century. My great-grandmother, Theodosia Iles, was the Beauregard Parish Fair fiddle champion for most of her adult life, and she owned “The 8th of January.”  Years later, one …

Read More »