“A Tale of Two Caps” is from our third short story collection,  Wind in the Pines. With our current American conversation over a divided nation, I was reminded of this story.  It’s a timely reminder about the strengths of our country and the challenges we have.   I grew up in a home where my parents never judged people by …

A word from Curt:  Friendship I’ve been thinking about friendship. Having friends is priceless. Being a friend is a gift you give yourself. Of all the maxims my mom pounded into my head, this may be the best. Link to see my current 6+ Words List.  My goal is living the Wowed Life. Here is my three-pronged mantra: 1. Stay Curious. 2. …

Trespassing   He sees me about the same time I see him. And I’m trespassing. Trespassing on his land. The way he looks at me, I know he knows it. And so do I.   The trouble is I can’t go back: Behind me is a creek I can’t cross And I can’t go back. So I watch him carefully. …

This is the weekly Creekbank LLLer + L. That’s the Life Long Learner Letter. Enjoy! We love hearing from readers and friends! A word from Curt:  Integrity I keep a list of words I attempt to live by.  I call the list my “6+ Words.” The definition of integrity I choose to use is: “Who you are when no one …

The Babe’s Homer   A few years before he died, My maternal grandfather, Sid Plott, told me this story. I always think about it during the World Series. I’ll tell it in his own words: I was a young man in Kansas City, the city where I was born.  It was the 1928 World Series between the Yankees and St. …

     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.  …

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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 …