Thoughts from the Pineywoods
Thoughts from the Pineywoods: “Lewis, we’re going to get you a fat woman. First, she’ll know how to cook, keep you warm when it’s cold, and she’ll give you shade on those hot Louisiana days.” -“Aunt Mat” Turner. There was never anyone quite like Madeline “Aunt Mat” Turner. I loved her dearly. There’s always more at The Creek. www.creekbank.net
“Our Weatherman Rob Robin and other Pineywoods Thoughts
“Where I Come From“ has become a favorite among our faithful readers. You can purchase copies in Paper, Hardback, and Kindle eBook at Amazon.com/Curt Iles Books. Purchase your copy of The Three Trees at Amazon.com/Curt Iles/Books Our SW Louisiana Weatherman, Rob Robin Wednesday, July 30 “But Rob Said . . . ” “God’s Air Conditioner.” A fine storm is blowing through Alexandria. Notice drop in temperature of over 24 degrees in one hour. Legendary Lake Charles Weatherman Rob Robin used the term, “It’s God’s Air Conditioner.” What are other “Rob Robin Catchphrases” you remember? These longleaf pines are on my family’s land in Dry Creek. Can you pick out the various stages: Grassy Stage Bottlebrush Stage Young Growth (There is one in the left portion of the photo. The large pines in the background are loblolly pines.) Check by The Creek to see some new stories and notes. www.creekbank.net Tuesday, July 29, 2025 “My truck can whip your truck.” A conversation between two trucks at Petrus Feed and Seeds in Alexandria, Louisiana: “My truck can whip your truck.” “Maybe so, but your owner paid about $75,000 for your Denali. That’s more than we paid for our first house and 20 acres of land.” “My big truck will blow your little Dodge off the road as I sneer down at you at 80 mph.” “Not so quick, my Dodge Dakota is currently going around the dark side of the Moon. (240,000 miles and counting.) “It may make it back to Earth before you pay the bank off on your declining asset. Mine is paid off and running on lagniappe.” “But my truck is still bigger than yours.” “So what?” “Guys, enough of this. Every truck deserves respect, as does each driver.” “Yes, long may you run.” “And the same to you, brother.” One of my grandsons badgers me, “PawPaw, why don’t you get a new truck?” “What’s wrong with the one I’m driving?” “Well . . .. ” “My truck is paid off. Halliburton’s Repair keeps it running clean.” “How long do you plan to drive it?” “Until the wheels fall off or they carry me to Plot 83A at Dry Creek Cemetery. “Of course, anything could happen. Someone could steal it. I (or some careless driver) could total it. “The transmission could go out. I’d have to do some serious prayer and fasting about that one. “This Dodge has been a companion for over ten years. I didn’t buy it new, but it was young when I saddled up. The Moon is an average of slightly over 238,000 miles. I’ve got over 240,000 on my truck. We’re currently circling the dark side of the moon. I hope to come back out into the sunlight in later 2026. Math nerds: How far/miles would it be reaching the moon and making semicircle before being Earth-bound? Check out our latest books at Amazon/Curt Iles Books. Wow! If you’ve got insomnia, you can binge-read any of our 1600-plus blog posts at www.creekbank.net These posts form a testimony of my life since 2009. A woven tapestry of the highs, lows, and the wonderful journey of growing as a human being. A fellow struggler at times. An exuberant soul at others. It’s all there to see. The Mission of Creekbank Stories is to share moving stories that encourage and inspire. STAY IN TOUCH: Sign up for our Weekly Newsletter. You can also follow us at the Creekbank Facebook Page. There’s always more at The Creek. www.creekbank.net Our YouTube posts, books, blog posts, and newsletters are all accessible in the top menu at www.creekbank.net Order your copy(s) of The Three Trees on Amazon here. There’s always more at the Creek. www.creekbank.net The Mission of Creekbank Stories is to share moving stories that encourage and inspire.
Names Matter
From my latest book, “The Three Trees.” How everyone likes to hear their spoken: The Lone Ranger Names: Like I said, it’s the sweetest sound in the world. Your name. Spoken by a friend, loved one, or masked rider. Two questions: Great debateo “is ‘HiYo’ or ‘HiHo’? What does “kemi sabe” mean? Names matter even if it’s a hero, a horse, and his faithful sidekick. The Lone Ranger says, “Yes, Tonto. The guys in the white hats always win.” Tonto nods, “Yes, Kemosabe.” The Lone Ranger turns and puts his spurs to his horse, “Hi Yo, Silver, away.” As I said, names really do matter. There’s always more at The Creek: www.creekbank.net Quotes Worth Repeating Thursday, July 24, 2025 I’m a friend-collector. Most days, I make a new friend. It’s one of life’s joys. I’m also a quote collector. I thought you’d enjoy some of the quotes that have (and are) shaping my life. Pass them on. I’ve always loved Jackson Browne. This is a line from his song, “Rock Me On The Water.” “We must do the best we can and hang onto that gospel plow.” It’s a veiled reference to the words of Jesus in Luke 9:62, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” This metaphor emphasizes the importance of focusing on the task at hand and avoiding distractions from the past or future. To me, it means onward. Onward for the kingdom. The Kingdom of God. “Everyone wants a harvest, but few will plow.” This quote is a reference to 2 Chronicles 15:7: “Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.” MORE QUOTES TO COME You can read any of our 1600-plus blog posts at www.creekbank.net The Mission of Creekbank Stories is to share moving stories that encourage and inspire. STAY IN TOUCH: Sign up for our Weekly Newsletter. You can also follow us at the Creekbank Facebook Page. There’s always more at The Creek. www.creekbank.net Our YouTube posts, books, blog posts, and newsletters are all accessible in the top menu at www.creekbank.net Order your copy(s) of The Three Trees on Amazon here. There’s always more at the Creek. www.creekbank.net The Mission of Creekbank Stories is to share moving stories that encourage and inspire.
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 during our African sojourn. She planted the seeds of missions in my heart. She was a missionary who never left Louisiana but always had a vision of reaching the entire world for her Jesus. I even named our 4WD Mudding Vehicle “MaMa Pearl.” I believe she would’ve liked that.
Friday Book Signing in Sulphur
Hey SW La. Friends: join us tomorrow (Friday) in Downtown Sulphur from 3-6 at the Cottage Co-Op Shops on S Huntington. I’ll be visiting and signing copies of all my books including “The Three Trees” and “Where I Come From.” I’d appreciate it if you’d share this post to your FB feed. Thanks for being part of The Creek Family. Due to my loyal reading friends, our books, blogs, and podcasts are traveling far beyond Dry Creek, Louisiana. Onward, Curt Visit the Co-op’s FB page at https://www.facebook.com/cottagecoopllc There’s always more at The Creek. www.creekbank.net https://www.facebook.com/cottagecoopllc
Speaking/Podcasts Page: Curt Iles and Creekbank Stories
Word Press File: <speaking> as of 1 July Curt Iles is a storyteller. He believes that a compelling story can move the hearts of listeners. Curt Iles is a popular speaker to groups. His combination of humor and tenderness is found throughout his stories.the perfect mix of humor and poignancy. With years of entertaining and motivating audiences, Curt is a seasoned speaker who easily connects with groups of all types. His winsome style mixed with a strong Southern voice, and sense of humor, result in both laughter and tears from listeners. Listen to Curt share “The Evening Holler.” Curt will supply link You Tube “The Evening Holler” Listen to Curt share “Six Feet Deep in Trouble.” You Tube “Six feet Deep in Trouble” Curt Iles Speaking To book a speaking engagment Speaking Engagements Charge Pre-determined Honorarium Mileage
The Radical Words Of Jesus in Luke in
The Radical Words of Jesus Luke 6:27-31. Let’s get this out of the way: Jesus was a radical. A rebel. If you don’t believe that, ask that motley crew of Pharisee reporters who followed along, trying to trap Jesus in his teaching. He was a radical. A rebel. That’s one of the things I’ve always loved about the Lord Jesus. I’ve got a smidgen of rebel myself. This scripture Luke 6:27-31 , which contains “The Golden Rule,” goes against human nature, common sense, and the American Worldview in 2025. It’s still radical 2000 years later, spoken by that Jewish rebel whom I follow as “The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” What say you? Jesus in Luke 6:27-31: ¶ “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. 28 Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. 30 Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. 31 Do to others as you would like them to do to you. That’s radical! We’ll be blogging through the Book of Juke. Join us for these short devotions. As always, I love hearing from my friends at creekbank.stories@gmail.com
If You See Dirt
See Dirt, Throw Seeds If you see dirt, throw seeds. If you see seeds, water them. Swahili Your statement means: Ukiona udongo, panda mbegu. Ukiona mbegu mwangia maji. “Maji” is water in Swahili. That is what our lives should be about: sowing seeds. Gospel seeds Seeds of Kindness Seeds of Generosity Seeds of Compassion The list could go on forever. Where is your “Dirt Field? “Where are you throwing seeds today?” How are you watering plants from seeds planted before you? Let’s be busy today. Planting seeds in our respective fields. It’s everyone’s job. It’s all our privilege, responsibility, and opportunity. Let’s be busy in the Field today. There’s always more at the Creek. www.creekbank.net You can read any of our 1600-plus blog posts at www.creekbank.net The Mission of Creekbank Stories is to share moving stories that encourage and inspire. STAY IN TOUCH: Sign up for our Weekly Newsletter. You can also follow us at the Creekbank Facebook Page. There’s always more at The Creek. www.creekbank.net Our YouTube posts, books, blog posts, and newsletters are all accessible in the top menu at www.creekbank.net Order your copy(s) of The Three Trees on Amazon here. There’s always more at the Creek. www.creekbank.net The Mission of Creekbank Stories is to share moving stories that encourage and inspire. Swahili
6 Shot
We’ll be sharing new stories over the next six days. I’ve been storing up some good ones. Stay tuned at www.creekbank.net Shooting 6-Shot I grew up in a squirrel-hunting culture. Crooked Bayou Swamp, as well as Dry Creek Swamp, were prime hunting spots before the Hurricanes and hunting leases. At school, we always compared notes after the first Saturday in October. There was always a lot of lying and exaggeration about the weekend squirrel count. There was always a running commentary on two things: The shotgun gauge. Nearly every adult had a 12-gauge. I had my Grandpa Lloyd Iles’s 16-gauge. It was often difficult to find shells. My first shotgun was a hard-kicking youth 20-gauge. I’m still a little scared of it. Some youngsters used a smaller gauge .410. I never had a .410. We thought they were made for wimps and excuse the pun, “Squirrely people.” Please forgive me if I offend. I actually started hunting by myself at about age 12. I could walk out our back door and be in deep squirrel habitat in fifty yards. I was allowed to use another inherited gun. A single-shot bolt-action .22 rifle that only shot short shells. It was the legendary rifle my Grandpa Lloyd Iles allegedly used when he shot a cigarette out of his best friend Bruce Heard’s mouth. Kids, don’t try this at home. I’m not sure I ever killed a squirrel with the .22, but I had many wonderful tromps through the woods. But a shotgun was the preferred squirrel gun. My family always debated shot size for squirrel hunting. After gauge preference, we debated the right shot size. There was 4-shot. larger but fewer pellets. Few of us used 4-shot on squirrels. My dad had this magical Long Tom 12-gauge from which many a fox squirrel met its fate. He used the preferred shot of all squirrel hunters, 6-shot. But he carried a couple of 4-shot shells just in case he needed to knock a fox squirrel out of a tall pine up in the stratosphere. A few hunters used 7 and a half shot, because it was only effective at close range. I was a 6-shot man. I still am, even though I haven’t fired a shot in anger for a long time. This week, I’ll be shooting 6-shot. 6 blog posts over the next six days. I’ve got several tales I’ve been piling up for you. Grab your shotgun and meet me under the famous squirrel den beech on the east bank of Crooked Bayou. Stay tuned. It’ll be fun. My Mom and Dad’s beech tree is gone due to the ravages of age and two bad girls named Rita and Laura. Our once beautiful swamp is now obscured by fallen logs and head-high briar patches. You can read any of our 1600-plus blog posts at www.creekbank.net The Mission of Creekbank Stories is to share moving stories that encourage and inspire. STAY IN TOUCH: Sign up for our Weekly Newsletter. You can also follow us at the Creekbank Facebook Page. There’s always more at The Creek. www.creekbank.net Our YouTube posts, books, blog posts, and newsletters are all accessible in the top menu at www.creekbank.net Order your copy(s) of The Three Trees on Amazon here. There’s always more at the Creek. www.creekbank.net The Mission of Creekbank Stories is to share moving stories that encourage and inspire.
Sugartown Watermelons
Sugartown Watermelons I grew up in eastern Beauregard Parish, the home of Sugartown Watermelons. Our loamy sandy soil is perfect for melons. What a perfect name for a variety of melon. A Sugartown Watermelon. It makes my mouth water. Sugartown is a crossroads (La 112 and La 113) village that was once a thriving community on the road between Alexandria and the lower Sabine at the Texas border. It was known as the “Queen of the Frontier” with shops, general stores, doctors, and a Grades 1-12 school. It was also home of the prestigious Baldwin Academy for Men and Women Boarding School. Sugartown is the ancestral home of my Iles family line. I often say that the greatest concentration of Iles’s in American is in Sugartown Cemetery. Sadly, Sugartown is now like a Louisiana ghostown. No stores, no school, no gas pumps, and no post office. Now, there are only scattered homes, a small Baptist church, and a Masonic Lodge. The only time when it comes to life is when the Sugartown Watermelon Stand opens in mid-summer, with the peak week being the July 4th weekend. Summer is when “Sugartown Watermelons” signs sprout throughout the hinterlands well removed from “The Queen.” It always amuses me to see a Sugartown Watermelon sign on Memorial Day (or earlier). True Sugartown melon plants in May are just beginning to vine with no visible “melonettes” (not in any dictionary. I made it up). I’ll be adding questions, myths, and stories about Sugartown and its delicious melons. You’re invited to join in on the fun. Question: what is the furthest from Sugartown you’ve seen a sign for “Sugartown Watermelons”? There’s always more at The Creek. www.creekbank.net
Day 2 Works vs. Grace Ephesians 2 Workmanship
Created for goosd works Ephesians 2: 8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can.” – John Wesley
3 Reasons Why I Carry A Compass
3 Reasons Why I Carry a Compass. STAY IN TOUCH: We’d love for you to sign up for our Weekly Newsletter. You can also follow us at the Creekbank Facebook Page. There’s always more at The Creek. www.creekbank.net Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. -Proverbs 3: 5-6 Why I carry a compass. So I won’t get lost. As a reminder that keeping my inner moral compass on True North is a daily decision. It reminds me to keep my eye on my Polestar and True North, Jesus Christ, whom I follow. Some days, I wear my compass around my neck along with several ID cards that define my life. But as it bumps against my chest, I’m reminded of keeping my hands on the plow and making a straight furrow. Sadly, I’ve seen other men I love lose their way. I want to finish strong at the end of my turn row. I wear it around my neck because I’m eccentric. That’s part of being a creative writer. We artists are eccentric. I carry that label and spirit proudly. My wife DeDe claims I’m getting more eccentric as the years roll on. I plead guilty as charged. I also have a spare pocket compass I carry for formal occasions. When I reach into my jeans pocket for my keys, I brush against that compass, and it reminds me to stay True North. You don’t have to wear or carry a compass. However, I encourage you to pay attention to that inner moral compass that guides you in what you should do (as well as what you should avoid). Press on. Eyes on the goal. True North Onward, Curt Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. -Proverbs 3: 5-6 The Mission of Creekbank Stories is to share Moving Stories that Encourage and Inspire. Our YouTube posts, books, blog posts, and newsletters are all accessible in the top menu at www.creekbank.net Order your copy(s) of The Three Trees on Amazon here. There’s always more at the Creek. www.creekbank.net The Mission of Creekbank Stories is to share moving stories that encourage and inspire.
Join us for an interview on KPLC-TV on Monday, June 23.
I’ll be on KPLC TV 7 (Lake Charles) in the morning (Monday, June 23) I’m so honored to be on Sunrise 7 with SW LA icon John Bridges during his final week at Channel 7. John is not only one of the most recognizable faces in SW La but also one of the most respected. John is always fun to be on air with. I’ll be talking about my latest book, “The Three Trees.” Here are John’s directions: “Curt, you are slated to come on KPLC’s 7 News Sunrise on Monday, June 23. Please arrive by 5:50 a.m. to go on air live at 6:20 a.m. The interview runs about 3 and a half minutes and will be recorded and re-aired on the Fox 29 Morning Show at 7:40 a.m. We will also post it on www.kplctv.com Join us at 6:20. It’ll be a fun interview. We’ll be talking about stories, books, and The Three Trees. There’s always more at The Creek www.creekbank.net and our Amazon Book Page
A Few Thoughts to Chew On: Sleep and More
I’m making notes to remind myself of some truths NOTES TO MYSELF On Sleep “Fatigue makes a coward of us all.” “Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is take a nap.” I’ve found that one of the keys to my mental health is getting enough sleep and rest. In our modern age of electricity (our ancestors went to bed early) and screens, it is so easy to forgo proper rest. We will pay for it the next day. Our body and mind will pay for it for a lifetime if we ignore sleep. I’m not talking about going to bed with the chickens, but getting 7-8 hours of sleep nightly consistently is a key to a proper outlook on life. We’d love for you to sign up for our weekly newsletter. It’s about the Mission of Creekbank Stories to Share Moving Stories that Encourage and Inspire. There’s always more at the Creek. www.creekbank.net Our YouTube posts, books, blog posts, and newsletters are all accessible in the top menu at www.creekbank.net Order your copy(s) of The Three Trees on Amazon here. There’s always more at the Creek. www.creekbank.net The Mission of Creekbank Stories is to share moving stories that encourage and inspire.
