Creekbank Blog

Draft copy of front cover of A Good Place Current draft copy of back cover copy. Your input is always appreciated.       “Deep in the Louisiana piney woods is a good place.”   It’s called “No Man’s Land” and is where Mayo Moore begins his story of growing up during the turbulent years of the Civil War. Through …

Our cover is being designed by Chad Smith of The Touch Studios. The painting is by my uncle, Bill Iles. A Good Place tentative release date November 2009 Below is a draft of our Back Cover Text. It is still “too wordy.” All suggestions and input are appreciated. What would you take out? What would you refuse to remove? Deep …

If I could live my life over, I’d invest it in young people.” -John R. Mott Today I was in Lake Charles at Books a Million studying book cover examples for A Good Place. There I saw one of “The African Queens”: Evan Adams. She and photographer Chad Smith ( The Touch Studios) worked with me on ideas for the …

Photo: Displaced Persons Camp in shadow of volcano Goma, Congo In Defense of Hillary My blog is not a political site. There are plenty of good blogs of that type available. My writing is more about being a good news reporter with stories of the common people who make the world better. So why in the world am I stepping …

I’m studying the word Integrity this week. It’s one of the “6 Strong Words” I want in my life. I’d be interested in hearing from readers as to how you define Integrity as well as people of integrity in your life. With your permission, I’ll use your input and feedback on this blog as well as in the study. You …

What is true success? If your success is not on your own terms, if it looks good to the world but does not feel good in your heart, it’s not success at all. -Anna Quindlen       Last week I inquired of my Facebook friends, “How do you define true success.” I’ve been blown away by the wisdom in …

  Thoughts from a good day. “Isn’t life amazing, we go somewhere seeking to be a blessing. Instead, the folks we’ve ‘come to help’ are the blessing to us. It’s a paradox of giving that always amazes and humbles me.” I had the privilege of speaking today at the Southwest Louisiana War Veteran’s Home in Jennings. It is a first …

Prospective Cover for A Good Place This is my 201st post on Creekbank blog. To all of you who read, encourage, and comment I extend my heartfelt thanks. This beautiful painting by my uncle, Bill Iles, hangs in the living room of my sister Colleen’s Dry Creek home. It reminds me of nearby Crooked Bayou and the area called “The …

“We sang ’til the cows came home.” I can’t recall a better time than what we had at last Saturday’s “Clayton Iles Singing.” I’ve posted photos below and links to YouTube videos (of some of the performances). Be sure to visit You Tube to see Vance and Tim “get down” on Dueling Guitars. No one can tickle the ivories quite …

Liberian Grass Cutting- A lesson in Perseverance. This video shows the Liberian method of grass cutting. It was really neat to see the skill and hard work of these men who used this cutting tool to mow literally dozens of acres at Ricks Institute. Click play button to view video (Above right) My grass cutter I brought home. Click on …

  Having a “Learner’s Lean”   Paul had it.* (* keep reading and I’ll share more.) I want it. Throughout history, all great leaders who finished strong possessed it. For simplicity’s sake, I’ll call it the “Learner’s Lean.” Next time you’re in a meeting—whether it is a business seminar, church, or the local Rotary Club, be observant. You can always …

Facebook friends Abrahim Sarnor Student body president at Ricks (Left) Biomah Sherman (in Dry Creek cap) One of my jobs in Liberia was helping students with their Facebook pages. Many of them had pages but had been unable to post their photos on their profiles. By gimping (minimizing) their photos we were able to upload them. Here are some of …

“Hoping Liberia” A favorite saying of the teachers at Liberia’s Ricks Institute is, “Thanks for coming and hoping us.” I thought it was just Liberian/English slang for “helping us.”* But as you can see from this shirt, “Hoping Liberia” is a theme of this school. (Shown is Dean of Students James Blay presenting a shirt to Colleen.) Hope: it’s a …

Graffiti on the wall of a Liberian Displaced Person’s Camp home. “He that bring(s) bread brings life.” Below it is written Proverbs 17:1 “It is better to eat a dry crust of bread with peace (of mind) than have a banquet in a house full of trouble.” I wonder about the person who wrote this. I wonder about what they’d …