A Pineywoods Manifesto

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 …

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 …

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 …

“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 …

     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 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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

    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 …

A word from Curt The word is faith. It’s a hopeful word. It has to do with things we cannot see. Yet. Today’s blog means so much to me.  It was a life lesson principle that still guides my life. I shared “One Step” last week with a group of teens. I was astounded at how this story resonated with …