“Know the conditions of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds.” -Proverbs 27:34 One of my best friends, Mark Miller, shared this fascinating story told by his grandfather, Jay Miller. Mr. Jay was the youngest of the seven Miller brothers, a family that made a good mark on our area with lives of good deeds, strong families, and rural …

Each year I try to select six words that guide my life.  This is my current list.  I’d love to hear from you on what your favorite word(s) are. 1. Passion 2. Grit 3. Gratitude 4. Balance 5. Legacy 6. Peace

Lindbergh on Commitment Charles A. Lindbergh instantly became world famous after his solo flight over the Atlantic.  However, the following story from the years before his trans-Atlantic journey reveal much about the character and commitment of this young man. This passage from Wikipedia details Lindbergh’s career as an air mail pilot Two days before he opened service on the route …

1.  Pray for Haiti.  It’s the most important thing we can do, and everyone can do it. 2.  I plan to give through Baptist Global Response. I worked closely with them after the tsunami as well as in HIV/AIDs ministry in South Africa.  They are good stewards and carefully look for giving “hand-ups” as well as “hand-outs.”   Visit 3.  Make micro-finance …

Discussion questions for A Good Place by Curt Iles Below are discussion questions from chapters 1 and 19 of my latest novel, A Good Place.   Help us by submitting your discussion topics for each chapter. This reader’s guide is to facilitate discussion by book clubs, individuals of all ages, and school groups. A Good Place is being enjoyed by readers …

Chapter 1   A Good Place WHEN Daddy shoved me under the table, I knew this wasn’t just any storm. As the crow flies, our Louisiana log cabin was a hundred miles from the Gulf of Mexico. When this day had quietly begun, no one had any idea a hurricane was churning ashore. Here we were less than twelve hours later, …

It was a special moment standing with my grandson Jack.  We’d walked a long ways into Kistachie National Forest to find this small cemetery. I’d been told about this graveyard by two friends,  Frank Bogard and Harlis Bass.  It was not easy to find but worth the effort.  The photo below shows Jack Iles standing at the grave of his …

We’ve definitely had winter in southern Louisiana. The coldest weather of the 21st century.  Lower teen temperatures  have only been seen about four times in my fifty plus years. I do believe that a picture tells a story, and a picture is truly worth a thousand words. These photos, one from watermelon season in June 2009 and the other from …

One of the privileges of traveling outside the country is making new friends.  Pastor Emmanuel of Liberia is one such friend whom I grew to love as a brother.  On our last night in Liberia, he shared this wonderful passage from Corinthians. The excellent subtitle work was done by UNO film student Julian Quebedeaux of “Thaninja Studios.”  You can contact …

A Spent Bullet by Curt Iles       copyright 2010   Creekbank Stories To readers:  This is the prologue/first chapter to my current book in progress.  Scroll to bottom of blog for ways you can be  a Creekbank Partner on this project. Enjoy!   Curt Iles     “I want the mistakes made down in Louisiana, not over in Europe. If it doesn’t work, …

Keeping my vow to always include dogs in my books,  “Bo” is the dog of choice in A Good Place. Bo is the hog dog and companion of Mayo Moore, the narrator of A Good Place. Today I’ll be adding snippets of Bo’s friendship and adventures with Mayo.  Hopefully, readers will enjoy them without me giving the story away. A …

There are no Catahoula Curs in Ireland! In The Wayfaring Stranger,  Irish immigrant meets Jezebel: Joe Moore was so focused on this close inspection that he never saw or heard the dog coming until it was too late. He never figured out where it came from, so the dog achieved a total ambush. It was undoubtedly the fiercest looking dog …

Miz Girlie Perkins is probably the most beloved character in both The Wayfaring Stranger and A Good Place.  Below she informs teenaged Eliza Clark about her philosophy on men and dogs:   Nearing Miz Girlie’s place, Eliza laughed at her favorite statement from her older friend. Eliza had once asked her why she didn’t marry again. Girlie, who had the …

Please join us as we celebrate the art of language during RAD’s first spoken word event. “Coming Home @ RAD” will feature the authors Curt Iles, Rachel Reischling, Tommie Townsley, Anita Machek, Gordon Rottman and Chris Pascale …musical lagniappe will be provided by the powerful fiddling of Ron Yule. Saturday, January 9, noon-3pm. Well-known children’s author, Tommie Townsley will speak …