Trespassing He sees me about the same time I see him. And I’m trespassing. Trespassing on his land. The way he looks at me, I know he knows it. And so do I. The trouble is I can’t go back: Behind me is a creek I can’t cross And I can’t go back. So I watch him carefully. …
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Best Seat in the House
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 …
Read More »“A $1000 Saddle on a $100 Horse”
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 …
Read More »A Father’s Love
Listen to the podcast of “A Father’s Love.” “A Father’s Love” From the Curt Iles book, Wind in the Pines. The story below always gets two strong reactions when I tell it. First, laughter. That is a good thing. Secondly, many times this story brings tears. Last year, I told it at Delta Downs (in Vinton) to a group of …
Read More »D.W.W. Driving While White
DWW Driving While White Like all Americans, I’ve been stunned and confused by events of the past few months. Our country is hurting and is extremely divided. It’s easy to deny and ignore it, but that doesn’t make it not so. As part of a national discussion, we need to sit down and listen to each other. It is …
Read More »Counting the Marbles in Your Jar
This story, from Wind in the Pines, celebrates two intertwined lives: My father, Clayton Iles, and my dear friend Ricky Gallien. Today marks fourteen years since Ricky left us. I share this story as a simple way of remembering his rich life as well as mourning his loss. I still miss both of them. My Dad and my friend Ricky. …
Read More »A Bridge Built on Catfish
A word from Curt Relationships. The longer I live, the more I believe it: everything rises and falls on relationships. This story, from The Old House, reflects that with several memorable stories. A Bridge Built on Catfish Driving over the small bridge across Mill Bayou, I’m filled with disgust at the trash strewn in the ditch. Scattered …
Read More »A Saddle on a Pig
If you missed yesterday’s story letter, click here to read. Erik and Yvonne Pederson had been on my mind all week. Yvonne was buried yesterday in her beloved Dry Creek. I had the privilege of delivering her eulogy. I had spoken at her husband’s funeral about ten years ago. I described her as “A woman with a dazzling smile who …
Read More »Remembering: A Pearl of great price
A word from Curt Remembrance. It’s a good word. Today, I’m remembering my precious grandmother, Pearl Stockwell Iles. Today would be her 101st birthday. She was MaMa Pearl to me, and she filled my life with love. I speak for all of her wide family. MaMa filled our lives with her love. I thought of MaMa Pearl often …
Read More »A Tall Pine Knot Pile: Thoughts on Earthly Treasure
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 …
Read More »Louisiana Evacuees: You may be displaced but never misplaced.
Today’s blog post comes from our new book, Trampled Grass. Learn how you can download a free copy or buy your autographed copy at www.creekbank.net This story, “Misplaced” has been on my mind all week. These words are so pertinent during this time of crisis in Louisiana. I am a refugee torn from my land, Cast off to travel this …
Read More »The Outdoor Life: Be Still and Know
Be Still and Know On a beautiful Spring Saturday, my three sons and I went to work on the nature trail at the camp. As we hiked through the woods with our saw, pruning shears, and other gear, we were filled with the camaraderie of boys and dads in the woods. My youngest son, Terry, who was four, waded through …
Read More »The Friendship Lane: Thoughts on Getting Along
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 …
Read More »An Obscure, but Touching, Creekbank Story
This story is from my first short story collection, Stories from the Creekbank. I hadn’t thought about this story in years. It still touches me as I re-read it after all of these years. Enjoy. Love is still love… in any language Now where do I start in describing a passionate love affair I became involved in a …
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