Looking back over the week Wet footprints I walk on the porch where six generations of my people have stepped. I’m at the Old House on the edge of Crooked Bayou Swamp. It’s a place of solitude as well as loneliness. I need both in my life. It’s where I go back to get my feet back on the ground. …

Reas Weeks   I never knew Reas Weeks . . . but I sure know some good stories about him. Reas (pronounced “Reese”) was a bachelor in Dry Creek who lived on the bank of Bundick Creek. He lived way back in the woods, never owned a vehicle, and supported himself by fishing, hunting, and gardening. Mr. Frank Miller always …

Be Still and Know On a beautiful Spring Saturday, my three sons and I went to work on the nature trail at the camp. As we hiked through the woods with our saw, pruning shears, and other gear, we were filled with the camaraderie of boys and dads in the woods. My youngest son, Terry, who was four, waded through …

    Yesterday’s post concerned the issue of land ownership in Uganda.  If you missed it,  you can read,  “This Land Ain’t for Sale” here.     The story featured in both the podcast (audio) and post (below) is called “The Friendship Lane.”  It’s one of my favourites on the art of getting along. The podcast is a early draft …

He was a man and faith and everyone’s favorite.   These are remarks from the funeral of my hero, Jimmy Barrett. The purpose of a memorial service is three-fold: We celebrate a life well-lived. If anyone ever accomplished this, Jimmy Barrett did. Secondly, we gather to walk with the family in their grief. If any family ever took care of …

A quick note: I depend on friends and readers for prayer support. I need it and don’t take it for granted. Here are three needs for the week:   I am taking part in today’s funeral service for my lifetime friend and mentor, Jimmy Barrett.  Jimmy was a principal, deputy, and a favorite of everyone in the Dry Creek area. …

  Friends gave me a copy of Bethel Baptist Church minutes from 1900. This resolution touched me.  It’s a reminder that all of us should take time for self-examination, repentance, and renewal.     DeDe celebrated her birthday this week.  This is our Life Group who surprised her.                 This past week I met with …

This story is from my first short story collection,  Stories from the Creekbank. I hadn’t thought about this story in years. It still touches me as I re-read it after all of these years. Enjoy.   Love is still love… in any language                     Now where do I start in describing a passionate love affair I became involved in a …

Bro. Hodges’ Best Sermon You’ll enjoy the Audio Podcast of this story.   The preacher stood in the middle of the muddy red clay road staring at the problem straight ahead.   It was a long way from his pulpit, and so he had no idea he was going to preach “his best sermon” right here in a few minutes.   This preacher …

The Westport Fight is an overlooked event that shaped western Louisiana. There is very little written information about this episode.  Read more here.    Our upcoming novel, As the Crow Flies, is set in 1881’s Louisiana’s No Man’s Land.  Crow is narrated by Missouri Cotten, a teen whose drifting family arrives in the piney woods and becomes involved in The …

A Dead Tree with Deep Roots This morning I went by to check on one of my favorite trees in the whole world. As my youngest son Terry and I left our deer stand deep in Crooked Bayou Swamp, we made a detour through the woods. As we walked under the towering oaks and hickories, a late fall was at …

    Each Sunday we share prayer needs. Here are three priorities for this week: Today (July 10) I am sharing about missions at Cold Springs Baptist Church. I’ll be with our lifetime friend, Wade Carroll.  Pray for clarity and passion as I share. I’m focusing for the month of July on revising As the Crow Flies. This novel follows …

A word from Curt Review It’s a good word. It’s means looking back with a purpose. Not living in the past but learning from it. Friday and Saturday are the days I look back over the past week and plan for the coming week. Here are photos and images from the week that was.             …

  A word from Curt Today’s word is brothers. We continue our journey through summer camp. I haven’t thought about Luke Haynie in a long time.  This story takes me back to Luke and the Summer of 1999. Trampled Grass is coming your way.  You can pre-order your printed copy here. We’d love to hear your comments on this story. You can use …