It’s World Series time.  One of my favorite times of the year.  I always recall how my Daddy took this week off to imbibe in two of his loves:  squirrel hunting and the World Series. In those days,  the World Series began early in October  (there weren’t divisions) and coincided with the first week of squirrel season. I …

A word from Curt:  Privilege. We have a choice in life: to view things as a privilege or a burden. Whether to view something as an opportunity or an obligation. A journal reminder: it is a privilege. It’s all in how I choose to look at it. In America, we are so privileged. Lord, help me be thankful for the …

Photos of the Week What we’re about: Stay Curious. Be Amazed. Tell Stories. Here are photos that have touched my life in the last week. Enjoy!   In tomorrow’s Friday Life Long Learner blog, I’ll share more about Uncle Rube and As the Crow Flies  .                     What’s your favorite homemade …

                  A word from Curt After all of these years, it’s still one of my favorite stories. A humorous story with a good lesson. Enjoy! “A $1000 Saddle on a $100 Horse” This story was told to me by my friend Diann Cain Brown several years ago and it is still among …

Like most of you, I’m committed to being a Life Long Learner. It’s an attitude. It’s a habit. It’s the desire of my heart. It defines my mantra: Stay curious. Be Amazed. Tell Stories. “The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago; the second best time is today.”                     …

Listen to the podcast of  “A Father’s Love.”  “A Father’s Love” From the Curt Iles book, Wind in the Pines. The story below always gets two strong reactions when I tell it. First, laughter. That is a good thing. Secondly, many times this story brings tears. Last year, I told it at Delta Downs (in Vinton) to a group of …

Listen to an audio of Curt telling this story. The Sermon in the Hayfield   He was one of my heroes, and tomorrow would be his birthday. This is a story of what made him special.     Love is patient and kind. . .    I Corinthians 13:4 As far back as I can remember, I’ve been around Ed King.  …

                            Order your discounted copy here.                                    Special Offer:  No shipping through October! We believe in the message and stories of our new book, Trampled Grass.  During October, copies ordered here will …

Billy Ray He who wins souls is wise. -Proverbs 11:30 It’s a Southern thing, y’all. We like our double first names.  I’ve got my Aunt Margie Nell and my Aunt Lloydell. We all know Billy Bob, Jerry Jeff, and Peggy Sue. And then there’s Billy Ray. In the world of Dry Creek Camp, there will always only be one Billy Ray. We …

I’m a firm believer in having both a Life Song and Life Playlist. A Life Song is the song that captures your soul and always touches you when you hear it. My Life Song is “How Firm a Foundation.” The final verse is my favorite and I’ve leaned on it (and the Jesus it speaks of) for all of my …

  We’re excited about our newest book,  Trampled Grass. Rather than tell you about it, we’re sharing the best photos from the book and its forty short stories. Scroll down to read a reader favorite, “The Southern Gospel.”                         Eliza Iles, a Southern woman from Dry Creek, Louisiana, in …

  I. This week’s keyword is Legacy. It’s about investing in what matters. Paying attention to what (and who) will outlast us. II. Life Long Learning   I finished a fascinating book this week, Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance.  It’s a memoir of the problems the white working poor (aka hillbillies/rednecks/white trash) face.  More than that, it’s a love story of …

  DWW     Driving While White Like all Americans, I’ve been stunned and confused by events of the past few months. Our country is hurting and is extremely divided. It’s easy to deny and ignore it, but that doesn’t make it not so. As part of a national discussion, we need to sit down and listen to each other. It is …

I recalled this wonderful story while visiting with my uncle, Bill Iles, who has worn a long beard since the late 1960’s. This article, by Stuart Holbrook, was written in the mid-20th century. Palmer is buried near the present home of my son, Terry.  On my next trip to New England, I plan to visit Palmer’s grave.