Louisiana Stories

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 …

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 …

Holding the Rope       When I ask you to hold the rope for us,  I’m deadly serious. Many of you were faithful to pray for DeDe and I in Africa. We need your prayer just as much back here in America. Thank you in advance for lifting us up. I’ve been thinking of my life statement,  “I want …

East Beauregard High Stadium. “Fields of Faith” last Wednesday Wow.  Privilege It’s become my favorite word. It is a privilege. It’s a way of looking at the opportunities (and challenges) of our lives. It’s a privilege to serve, learn, grow, and be alive. I had one of the greatest honors of my life this week.  Speaking to hundreds of high …

1. Stay Cuious. 2. Be Amazed. 3. Share Stories. That’s basically what I do. It’s who I am. I have a curious soul and a love of stories. It often gets me in trouble but always results in memorable stories.   The story below is one of my favorite funny stories.  Not quite sure of the spiritual message (Maybe: be …

  Let’s have a contest and some fun. I spent yesterday in New Orleans. The rest of Louisiana has a complex love-hate relationship with our most famous city. I’ve written about this in the past. I’m asking readers to fill in the blank with the best word. A Day in New Orleans is better than _____________. You can enter by …

  During this month, we’re sharing stories from our short story collection, Deep Roots. It contains the stories that our readers and listeners have enjoyed over the years. Come join us in a journey to where my roots are. In an area of western Louisiana called the Piney Woods. Enjoy. “The Door” is one of my favorite stories.  It blends …

  Scott Fitzgerald   One song will forever link my mind with the summer of 1999.   The song is the “Charlie Brown theme song.” This is the song Schroeder is always plinking away at on Charlie Brown T.V. specials. Here’s why this song is still playing in my mind.   On the first day of camp when our counselors arrived, …

It is a privilege. It’s become one of my favorite words. Privilege. After three (wonderful) years in the Third World, I’ve come to realize how privileged we are as Americans. Today’s post is about a great privilege I’ve had. The privilege of marrying into a family. In 1979, I married into the Terry Family of northern Catahoula Parish, Louisiana. I …

The Rumor Mill   If there is one thing that Sisters Katrina and Rita have taught us it is this: Don’t believe everything you hear, unless you know firsthand it is true. The rumor mill is always churning. When you have a disaster and normal communication is lost and people are displaced, the rumor mill shifts gears. Speculations become “truths” …

A note from Curt We continue with stories from ten years ago, as chronicled in our book,  Hearts across the Water. Yesterday’s post,  Grandma Rodrigue, touched many of you, including me. If you missed it, click here. Today’s post is humorous. It’s a true story of what happens when cultures collide. I’d appreciate any of my Smyrna friends sending a …

A Word from Curt We’re moving through stories in Hearts across the Water.  Ten years ago I wrote this book about three live-changing disasters:  the Indian Ocean Tsunami and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. I’d forgotten about the chapter entitled,  “Grandma Rodrique.” I was moved as I read it again after a decade down the road. I’m reminded of the writer’s …

Chapter 5 : Henry     I met Henry among the ruins of Lampuuk on our first visit there. It had been over eleven weeks since the tsunami. Henry lived in a tent not far from the only remaining building in Lampuuk: the local Mosque. A handsome twenty-year-old with an infectious smile and wonderful personality, Henry quickly became the favorite …

  A word from Curt  Over the next month, we’re sharing stories from our 2005 book, Hearts across the Water. This is my fourth short story collection and is set during the two twin hurricanes that struck Louisiana that year. Although the majority of the book deals with the hurricanes, the first part recounts my life-changing trip to post-tsunami Indonesia …