Creekbank Blog

Click on cover image to see a larger view. Does anyone recognize this tree and its location? Hint: It’s near Dry Creek but not in Dry Creek.

Listen to the Introduction Chapter of Deep Roots Quote of the day: “It don’t cost a nickel to be nice to people.”  -George “Sparky” Anderson, Hall of Fame Baseball Manager.  He died yesterday at 76.  He managed two of the greatest teams of the 20th century:  The “Big Red Machine” Cincinnati Reds and the 1984 Detroit Tigers. My beloved uncle, …

Quote for your day:  Either you run the day or the day runs you. -Jim Rohn I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is to try to please everyone. -Bill Cosby It’s a wonderful truth I’ve discovered: in my writing, I cannot (and will not) please everyone.  Not every reader will take a shine to …

The Landmark Pine[CI1]   It’s the lone pine tree on the front/back cover of this book. It’s a landmark tree. Deep roots Rita The Louisiana Landmark Tree The Louisiana Landmark Tree was given to these 28 Live Oaks, forming the entrance way to Oak Alley Plantation. These trees took root before the 1718 founding of New Orleans, and have lived …

Quote for your day: You will treat people and relationships differently when you know you are going to reap the harvest in a later season.  -Priscilla Shirer I’m reminded of the words of “Sparky” Anderson, longtime manager of the Cincinnati Reds during the “Big Red Machine” days: “It don’t even cost a nickel to be nice to somebody.” Scripture for …

Today’s Proverb:  Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses the way.  Proverbs 19:2 ESV A Prayer for the day:  Lord, keep me from two places:  Lagging behind your will for my life and being ahead of your will.  You know me well, I’m prone to both, especially the latter. Teach me to walk …

On the Road Why I write:  I pass a soldier in the DFW Airport. His nametag reads Cross and his patch shows a cross. He’s a Christian Chaplain named Cross. I hand him a copy of “Wayfaring.” He’s on his way back to Afghanistan and promises to share it with his “men.” I know he will. I imagine I’ll hear …

Plethora |ˈpleθərə| noun ( a plethora of) an excess of (something) : a plethora of committees and subcommittees. • Medicine an excess of a bodily fluid, particularly blood. Being a writer, I naturally love words.  I learned a new word this weekend from the best redneck duck hunter I know, Todd Burnaman.    Todd is the manager of our beloved Dry …

Stewardship: “The lazy man does not roast his game, but the diligent man prizes his possessions.” Proverbs 12:27 NIV Stewardship is about the wise use of the resources God has placed in our hands and heart.  Stewardship is the result of humility and gratitude. Traveling to the Third (Developing) World has taught me so much about stewardship.  It is an …

I’ve been waiting for this date: October 10, 2010.  10-10-10. In the present century, there’s only two left of its ilk:  11-11-11 and 12-12-12. Here’s a good quote for today: “You can speak well if your tongue can deliver the message of your heart.” -John Ford, Legendary Film Director As I write and dream, I often think how wonderful it …

Hey ladies, I need your help on this romantic (kind of) chapter in the middle of A Spent Bullet. Here’s the elevator speech on the plot: Elizabeth Reed is a young Louisiana schoolteacher who dislikes soldiers. Harry Miller is a Wisconsin soldier who hates Louisiana. It only makes sense that they should meet and fall in love. Although they don’t …

Thoughts on Priorities My current word to live by is actually two words:  the I-words:   Influence and Impact.   I want my life to influence the world in a wide ripple effect of God’s grace.  I want the impact of what I do and who I am to go deep into the lives of others.   This includes my writing, actions, speaking, …

Proverbs for the day:  Listen my son to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Proverbs 1:8   Good advice for any age. A white flash streaks across the northern horizon. A falling star to start the day. Lord, thank you for this gift. “We often don’t think of them we think of the great wars and great …

Today’s Quote: “That is what learning is. You suddenly understand something you’ve understood all your life, but in a new way.”   Doris Lessing Proverbs 30:7-9  Two Things “Two things I ask of you, O LORD; do not refuse me before I die: 8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only …