Creekbank Blog

A Good Laugh: The US 165 Billboard

I travel US 165 daily in and out of Alexandria. The following billboard (facing southbound traffic Hwy 165) continues to be a source of plenty of conversation.   The small towns up and down US 165 South are infamous for their speed traps.  Evidently, Joey Hopewell had had enough and paid for this billboard. What is your favorite US 165 …

Read More »

The Clearcut

  A word to the Creek Tribe: In the coming weeks, we’re going to have fun with several creative book sales.  As I’ve inventoried our backlist of twelve books, I’ve thought,  “We have too many good books in this closet needing to be in the hands of our Tribe readers.  So get ready for some treats. Follow this blog for …

Read More »

A Month Called February

What is it about February? I read this excellent essay yearly on February 1. It’s written by Bobb Biehl. Thanks to Chip MacGregor for sharing this four years ago. Enjoy! Curt February habits Whenever we get past the January “new year resolutions” and starting moving into the February “reality of winter” season, it’s nice to spend a few moments taking …

Read More »

In the Wilderness

Wednesday, January 25, 2017   This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. -King David in his wilderness time from  Psalm 34:6 In the Wilderness I’m still learning this: Sometimes God delivers us out of the wilderness, but often he instead chooses to walk with us through it. I guess that is …

Read More »

Two Faces: Refugees and Illegals

I never met Tyler Lundin. At least not when he was alive. My journey to learning about his life and death began on a dusty soccer field near the Nile River in Uganda. Africans wear all manner of American shirts and caps.  I always enjoyed talking to them about who the Boston Celtics were, Adrian Peterson’s Vikings jersey, and my …

Read More »

Life Lessons from Hog Dogs

It’s a new year. Always a good time to think about the speed of life and balance. This story from my childhood sums up what I’m still searching for: the balanced life.   “Come apart or you will come apart.”  – Vance Havener I come from a long line of men and women who lived in the woods and loved …

Read More »

The Tribe: The Most Important Man in Alex

  Welcome to Friday’s The Tribe* Story Letter   The Most Important Man in Alexandria   Always be kinder than necessary. -J.M. Barrie   I didn’t get his name or badge number, but I firmly believe that today—Friday, January 6—he provided the greatest job in the town of Alexandria, Louisiana. The freezing rain began just as his city bus pulled …

Read More »

CoCo Harper Lives Again

  From The Old House by Curt Iles “Coco” Harper Lives Recently, they built a new Post Office in Dry Creek. It’s a large modular building complete with glass doors and modern conveniences. Out in front of it, the Postal Service poured a large concrete paving area. However, it just doesn’t look like it fits in Dry Creek. On the …

Read More »

Kat King

Current wanted poster in our Alexandria Zip 71307 Post Office. Viewing it brought the following story to mind. A Lady Named Kat To my knowledge Kat King was never featured on a wanted poster, but I still think of here when a see a F.B.I. wanted poster in the post office. It’s amazing how you remember people who are kind …

Read More »

“Moving Out” Thoughts on a New Year

    A Word from Curt Grateful. Gratitude is one of my 6+ words for 2017. I’m thankful for the wonderful gifts in my life. Today I’m thankful to have the calling of writing. It’s what I do. Who I am.  I’m thankful that you have chosen to read this blog and allow my heart to hopefully warm your life. …

Read More »

Bah Humbug Week Begins: 26th of December

  I love Christmas.  I really do. I’d glad it occurs yearly. And glad it only occurs yearly. I call the week after Christmas,  Dec. 26-Jan.1, “Bah Humbug Week.” It’s a week to recover.  It’s a week to reflect.  I use this week to look back over the past year with gratitude and as a springboard to think about and …

Read More »

December 24: Christmas Eve

  An Easy Mark   “I’m a thousand miles from anywhere, waiting for a train.” -Jimmy Rodgers “Waiting for a Train”   Calling someone an “easy mark” is normally not a compliment. We use it in the context of taking advantage of someone and associate it with weakness. I have a story that explains the term’s origin. I’ll let you—the …

Read More »

A New Short Story: Our Christmas Gift to You.

Merry Christmas to you and your kin from all of us at the Creekbank. This new short story, “Midnight Chicken”, is our gift to you. May its theme of It is more blessed to give than to receive resonate and bless your Christmas. Curt and DeDe Iles Midnight Chicken   Dec. 23, 1943 Bundick, Louisiana   Elizabeth Miller awoke to …

Read More »