Louisiana Stories

I once was lost . . . but now am found

    Losing a dog, leaving a cap It may not seem like a big thing. But to me it was. Dee and I had spent three years without a dog. It’s the only time in our marriage we didn’t own at least one dog. Or to put it better: the only time a dog didn’t own us. Africa is …

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Meet an unforgettable character named Missouri.

We’re deep into the second draft of our latest novel, As the Crow Flies. I need your help in fleshing out some of the characters, scenes, and storyline. Join our Creekbank Tribe by sharing ideas at the end of this post. Thanks in advance! Today, you’ll meet the narrator of the book, a spunky teen named Missouri. Curt Opening line …

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Bo Rein to become next LSU Football Coach

Bo Rein to become next LSU Football Coach The Associated Press has reported that Bo Rein, current North Carolina State coach, has been picked to head up LSU’s Football Program. The LSU Athletic Department has neither confirmed or denied the report. If hired, Rein would replace long-time LSU Coach . . .   Before you get rattled, this is a …

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Saturday (or Friday) Night in Oak Grove, Louisiana

The East Beauregard Trojans head to Oak Grove, Louisiana tonight for the state football quarterfinals.   In honor of the team, and my brother-in-law Coach Gordy Glaser, I’m dedicating this song to the Trojans:  Tony Joe White’s “Saturday Night in Oak Grove, Louisiana.” It’s one of my favorite tunes from Louisiana blues/folk singer Tony Joe White, who is a native …

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Another Black Friday

Turkey Pinecones and cornbread dressing Last week I ate twice at school cafeterias. It was Thanksgiving lunch and we grandparents were invited. I don’t miss a grandchild event if I can help it. One day was with our adopted (truly) African-American granddaughter, Daizy Mae Thomas. The next day was with Luke Iles, aka Chief Wampum. Both meals featured turkey, cornbread …

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How to Bury a Country Man

  One of my young pastor friends called as he prepared for his first funeral.  This is simply insight I’ve gained from others as well as the experience and privilege of helping folks as they walk through the shadow of death. How to Bury a Country Man “The thing about common sense is that it ain’t common, Son.” –Erik Pederson …

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Holding the Rope: Pray for a hunger and thirst to learn more

    Wow. The Life Long Learning journey is the road I want to be on. I call it LLL. Will you pray that DeDe and I will hunger and thirst for learning more? More about God. More above living life. More about how to serve.       This is part of my current reading list. Soul Keeping.  I’m …

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The Juxtaposition of “who owns this land.”

Ignore that fancy word. Juxtapositon. It simply means comparing and contrasting. How is an orange like an apple?  How is it different. It’s a big part of how my mind works as I take three steps daily: Being curious Being Amazed. Being Moved to tell a story.     Many times my stories are about these amazing things and how they …

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Standing in the Shadow of Freedom

It’s my mantra: Be curious. Be amazed. Tell about it. I arrive at Freedom Baptist Church early. Walking in the auditorium, I stop at a group of photographs on the back wall. I know what it is: black and white photographs of the men and women from this church who served our country.  Most are WWII faces. Most  Ten Mile …

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Write that Novel in your Heart!

November is National Novel Writers Month, commonly known as NaNoWriMo. The goal is for folks like you to write a 50,000 word novel in a month. I’m writing a new novel,  As the Crow Flies, and need to add 50,000 words in the coming month. This is an invitation to join together and write. We’ll be sharing ideas and encouragement …

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As the Crow Flies: Let’s back to 1881

The fun and joy of writing historical fiction is “going back” to a time in the past. With our new draft novel, the year is 1881 on Louisiana’s frontier, commonly called “No Man’s Land.”             It’s important to look at dates, moon phases, weather (when you can find it) and “live in that era.” That’s …

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Naming that Girl: Your Chance

A Word from Curt   Here is the current draft opening line of my current novel, As the Crow Flies:   My name is JANE DOE, and I was born into a family of thieves. It’s how I ended up in the middle of what came to be known as the Westport Fight. This is my story of what happened …

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Tough or Hard: The Choice is Yours

Tough or Hard   In front of me are three objects: a brick, a piece of leather, and a hammer. These make for a wonderful lesson. However, this story is not about the hardness of a brick, toughness of leather, or the pain of the hammer blow. This is a story about somebody. Objects don’t move us—but people do. Watching …

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Measure Twice/Cut Once

We’re highlighting stories from our short story collection, Deep Roots. Measure Twice, Cut Once   Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you. -Exodus 31:6   I’ve always loved watching an artist at work. To watch a skilled craftsman shape something with their hands—and heart—is a joy. As the above verse …

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