FUTURE BOOKS

“Jessica” Allman Brothers’ guitarist Dickie Betts died last week at 80. His songs, especially ‘Jessica,” have always been my favorite ABB cuts, and he will forever hold a special place in my heart. I’ve listened to the Allman’s since 1972 and still circle back to them several times a year. “Jessica” is an instrumental written for his baby daughter Jessica. …

    The Unoffended Life “The unoffended life is the best way to live.” What is the unoffendable life? It’s the mark of a person who doesn’t easily get bent out of shape. They don’t carry a chip on his or her shoulder. They let offenses roll off their back and choose to overlook slights, real or perceived. In the …

Thoughts on a Manly Handshake It’s an art every leader must master. Let’s delve into the cultural significance of the manly handshake, a unique aspect of our Louisiana Pineywoods region. Sometimes it’s called a manshake. A man-shake is firm instead of its opposite number, the dead fish/damp washrag handshake. Men in our area are judged by their handshake. It can …

    Today’s Creekbank Blog Post is number 1500 in a long string of blog posts stretching back to June 2006. You can trace them all back by scrolling our blog posts at www.creekbank.net After you read “The Cardinal and Mr. Smith’s Plane,” we believe you’ll enjoy this story on YouTube  as well as our Audio Podcast. The Cardinal and Mr. …

Folks are enjoying many ways to enjoy the Creek:   AUDIO: You’ll enjoy stories  as you drive or work at the  Creekbank Audio Podcast.   VIDEO:  Visit our YouTube Channel to join Curt on the Old House porch as he shares stories weekly. FACEBOOK: Follow us at The Creek Facebook Page. Become a Facebook Follower and keep up with news from The …

Here are ways to stay abreast weekly of what’s happening at The Creek: AUDIO: You’ll enjoy stories that resonate at our Creekbank Audio Podcast. VIDEO:  Visit our YouTube Channel to join Curt on the Old House porch as he shares stories weekly. FACEBOOK:  Follow us at The Creek Facebook Page. Become a Facebook Follower and keep up with news from The …

We are putting Where We All Belong for a rest. Sea Change: A NOTE TO MY READING FRIENDS Because of your encouragement and investment, I wanted you to hear this from me: After nearly two years of researching, writing, and editing, I am putting aside my historical fiction novel,  Where We All Belong, for now.  I’ve carefully put Maggie, Noah, Pieter, …

    Resolve This week I’m thinking about the word “Resolve “ and its double first cousins, Grit, Determination and Perseverance. “Resolve: to act with determination, boldness, steadfastness, and faith.” Resolve: it’s a good word to have in our toolbox.

    The Best Trade: A Christmas Tree for a Basket of Jelly This story from my first book, Stories from the Creekbank, is still a favorite of readers of all ages. I hope you enjoy it. Merry Christmas to all of my friends. -Curt Christmas jelly is probably my favorite holiday gift. Yearly, I receive this present from a …

  A Bald-Faced Liar “He’d rather climb a tree to tell a lie rather than stand on the ground and tell the truth.”   Where I come from, calling someone a bald-faced liar are fighting words. What’s the difference between a lie and a bald-faced lie? A lie is telling untruth. It’s wrong. It’s a sin. “Do not swear false …

    Friends and Readers, We’re putting the final touches on our upcoming novel, Where We All Belong. Don’t give up on us. There are many moving parts in getting a book into your hands. I really believe the final product will be worth the wait. Remember, it takes a village to raise a book and you’re a part of …

“The Old House at Night.”  by Bill Iles 1963 “A Tree Fell on the Old House.”   “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.”    Proverbs 23:7 I’ve always dreaded it, but knew it’d happen one day.  My sister’s message was short, “A tree fell on the Old House last night during the storm.” Before I tell you …

Where We All Belong   Curt Iles     I. THE JOURNEY  _____________________         CHAPTER 1   CAPTURED   “A prisoner of war is someone who was trying to kill you, but then asks you not to kill him.” —Winston Churchill   13 May 1943 Tunisia, North Africa   “The first five minutes of a POW’s captivity …

  Readers, Many of you are curious about our upcoming novel, Where We All Belong.  We are currently putting the finishing touches on this 94,000-word novel. (that translates to about 370 pages.) We are in the most challenging phase of publishing a book: finding an editor/publishing house. I’d appreciate your prayer that God will open doors and Where We All …