A Pineywoods Manifesto

Nary a Car: In Praise of Pickup Trucks

Nary a Car  . . .   Nary a Car: the parking lot at Roy O. Martin’s Oakdale OSB Mill.   Today, I’m writing about living in the Pickup Truck Culture of western* Louisiana. Where I come from, every man has a truck. I live in town (Alexandria) and may only haul my dog and an occasional rich pine fence post, …

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Growing up in a Small Community: The Rich Life of Eva Cole

Growing up in a Small Community: The Rich Life of Mrs. Eva Cole “Oh, those small communities . . . “ -John Mellencamp   I grew up in Dry Creek, Louisiana. It would be an exaggeration to call it a town. It would be pretentious to call it a village. Reeves is a village. Dry Creek is a community. I like …

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Two Lessons I’m Learning: LLL and Outdoor Living

There are two life lessons I’m presently learning. First, is the power of the outdoors and nature. One of my keywords is L.L.L. Life Long Learning. I wish to finish strong in my life and constantly have a learner’s lean.  Eager to listen, learn, and grow. This corresponds with my three mantras: Stay Curious. Be Amazed. Tell Stories. Often I …

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Life Lessons from Hog Dogs

It’s a new year. Always a good time to think about the speed of life and balance. This story from my childhood sums up what I’m still searching for: the balanced life.   “Come apart or you will come apart.”  – Vance Havener I come from a long line of men and women who lived in the woods and loved …

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Christmas: A Gift from the hands and heart

A Gift from DQ   Christmas is a time for gifts and there are all types of gifts. The best gifts come from hands, hearts and are created from love and skill. As Christmas 2011 approaches, I’m obsessed with a gift I saw last week.  I call it a gift from DQ. DQ. I’m not referring to Dairy Queen. I’m …

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A Good Word: Resilience

In this week’s story letter: 1. A word called Resilience. 2. Free Download of “My Grandpas’ Boots.” 3. Christmas Sale: all 12 of our books for $100. 4. Filling your stockings with Christmas Jelly. 5.  Photos of “A Day at The Old House.”   A word for December. It’s Resilence. It’s a good word.  It’s about the quality of bouncing …

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A Story for the Flag: “The Tale of Two Caps”

“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 …

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Best Seat in the House

     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 …

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“A $1000 Saddle on a $100 Horse”

                  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 …

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Having a Life Song and Life Playlist

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 …

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The 5 Million Dollar Lie

combine with Joseph’s brothers and their 20 year lie Some are saying it cost him $10 million dollars in endorsements. The lower estimate is that Ryan Lochte’s string of lies cost him at least $5 million in future earnings and endorsements. $5 million or $10 million lost.  That’s a pile of regret. And it all goes back to a drunken …

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A Tall Pine Knot Pile: Thoughts on Earthly Treasure

Dry Creek’s finest and biggest pine knot pile in the yard of my friends, Mark and Kari Miller. The following is a short sad story on how I lost my own pile. Earthly treasures, pine knot piles, and 401 (K) accountsx All of a sudden, the February wind picked up and turned out of the south. Instantly what had been …

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A Good Epitaph

This is a story from my first book, Stories from the Creekbank. It concerns a memorable person from Galveston, Texas. The plaque mentioned is at sidewalk level atop the sea wall.  A Good Epitaph to Have. . .   Have you ever thought about what epitaph you’d like to have? Recently as I walked along the seawall in Galveston, I …

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What is Success? Most Likely to Succeed

This post is from my first book, Stories from the Creekbank. Enjoy!   Most Likely to Succeed It was Saturday in the middle of the busy summer camp season. After a great week of youth camp, I was enjoying lunch with some of our summer staff. Across the dining hall, a group from East Beauregard High was having their ten-year …

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