Louisiana Stories

His face softened as he extended his hand. His grip was just as strong as I expected. I hope mine was too. “Sir, I really mean it. I appreciate what you did for our country.”

  We’ve been in Houston for a few days. It’s always a good trip to make me glad I live twenty-five miles from a traffic signal.     Trivia:  Did you know you can drive from Dry Creek, Louisiana to Pineville and never be stopped by a red light?   If you know the path, let me know.   As …

Part of our application process to serve with the International Mission Board was writing a 6-10 page “autobiography.” My wife DeDe looked at this requirement and shook her head.  “There’s no way I can write six pages about myself.” Curious Curt had a different reaction.  “How can I limit it to ten pages?” That’s why we make such a good …

Best part of my job:  I collect stories. The best stories I’m hearing now:  from the generation that saved the world.  Our Great Depression/World War II men and women. Join me in collecting their stories.  They’re all around you.  Grandparents, great grandparents, uncles, teachers.  They experienced first-hand a time that will never be repeated. Capture their stories.  Use your smart …

A Soldier’s Story Memorial Day 2012   It was a call I’d dreamed of :   “Sir, I’m contacting you because of your research on Medal of Honor winner, Sgt. Leroy Johnson.  My father was with him in Company K on December 15, 1944.  In fact, he saved my father’s life with his brave act . . . and my …

  “I’m a thousand miles away from home Waiting on a train.”  -Jimmie Rodgers If you’ve been following my social media this week,  you know I’ve been on a adventure. Monday afternoon I caught Amtrak’s Sunset Limited in Lake Charles and rode it to Los Angeles (arriving on Wednesday morning). Then I boarded the Coast Starlight which snaked along the …

For the birds May is a great month for birds. This morning was foggy with humidity you could stir with a stick, but it didn’t phase the birds. They slept in a few minutes and began their rituals slightly later. The bluebirds won the morning battle of the birds.  A quartet of them serenaded us as we walked. Arriving back …

In the Garden It’s always been one of my favorite places. The prayer garden at Dry Creek Camp. It was evidently one of Harvey Jones’s also. He wanted his ashes spread there. His memorial service was yesterday.  It was a celebration of a richly lived life.  Harvey loved his Lord, his wife Sissy, and his family and it was a …

"Louisiana's piney woods is completely different from well-known parts of our state like New Orleans and Cajun country.

This is a favorite chapter of readers of The Wayfaring Stranger. Enjoy! Joe looked at the knife he already knew too well. He had felt its cold steel against his neck. He was facing a killer and he was now at a great disadvantage. They circled each other like two dogs. Amos was moving the handle of the knife from …

  The Wayfaring Stranger Chapter  38       On the third day after Joe Moore had disappeared from Ten Mile,  Amos Long and his men were sitting around a campfire, talking, drinking, and laughing  when a boy arrived. The boy, about ten or eleven, walked up among the men and stood quietly. Finally, one of the men noticed him, saying, “What …

Today’C.   A word from Curt: Friends, This is a press release for Saturday’s event.  If you’d share this with your friends via Facebook and Twitter, it could help us have the best book event yet.  Our goal is to sell 48 books and break the Hastings one day record.  Help spread the word! Share on Facebook Share on Twitter …

The true birth of Dry Creek Baptist Church   Most ‘Dry Creekers’ agree that this spot is Morrow Bridge.  I do know our church and the camp also baptized toward Three Bridges. I’m not sure if the date on the photo is May 22, 23, or May 29.  What do you think? The lady on the far left is Lou …

Curt Iles/Creekbank Stories   http://www.creekbank.net   Represented by Chip MacGregor/MacGregor Literary. Publicist: Sycomm/Lake Charles, LA Speaking: Christian Speakers Services Dallas, TX A Spent Bullet   First book in “Louisiana Skies” series     Historical Fiction       Status:  Finished 95,000 words Key word:  Moving! Premise:  Can two young people—a Milwaukee soldier and Louisiana schoolteacher—find love in the days leading up to World War II?   …