Aunt Eliza in the Congo The following fascinating article is from a Beaumont Daily Journal article in November 1920. It features a letter from the Belgian Congo, Africa written by my great-grandfather’s sister, Eliza Iles: Headline: Miss Eliza Iles writes of trip to Congo, …
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92 Dry Holes
92 Dry Holes A story on perseverance and resolve Several weeks ago DeDe and I visited Ft. Worth, Texas where our son Clay, his wife Robin, and our grandson Noah live. Among the places they took us was the Amon Carter Museum of Art. It featured wonderful examples of Western Art, especially the sculptures and …
Read More »A Word Called Resolve
A Word Called Resolve It is one of my five favorite words.* It is the word resolve. There are several uses of the word, but I love the definition that speaks of persistence and grit. Webster’s defines it as “to act with determination, boldness. To be steadfast and faithful.” Resolve is a trait found in the lives of all great …
Read More »The Rich Life of Carl Ford
The Rich Life of Carl Ford Sunday, October 15, 2006 They buried one of my heroes today. In a steady rain, Carl Ford was laid to rest by an Air Force honor guard at Shiloh Cemetery. The 21 gun salute and playing of taps both echoed off the pine trees and emotionally touched everyone present. Carl, a retired Air Force …
Read More »Blessed yet Burned
Burned, yet Blessed, by the Fire This is one of my reader’s favorites. The original story is in Wind in the Pines. This updated version will be in my new book, The Mockingbird’s Song. (It is due out in early 2007.) The once green pine forest, now charred and blackened, lifelessly stares back at me. As …
Read More »Ready to Move Out
Ready to move out This summer DeDe, Terry, and I took part in a youth camp in the Black Hills of South Dakota. This area of majestic mountains, covered with vast stands of tall Ponderosa Pines, is one of my favorite places in America. To get to camp, we wove deeper and deeper into the Hills following a long snaking …
Read More »The Mockingbird’s Song
Info on my new book… The Mockingbird’s Song The wheels are turning for the release of my fifth book, The Mockingbird’s Song. Tentative release is scheduled for November 2006. This new book by Curt Iles from Creekbank Stories will be printed by Wise Printing of Sulphur, LA. To learn more about this book and my other works, visit www.creekbank.net This …
Read More »I’m Staying Here . . .
Two friends: Sept. 11, 2001 “I am staying with my friend…” Of all of the soul-touching stories from September 11, 2001, I believe the story of two friends named Abe and Ed is the best. It is gleaned from the excellent book, 102 Minutes, by Jim Dwyer and Kevin Flynn (Times Books copyright 2005) When the first plane crashed into …
Read More »Ricky’s Story: Dragons by a TKO
The Battle of the Dragon and the Yellow Jacket Thursday, September 7, 2006 Today is a special day of remembrance. It’s been four years since my friend Ricky Gallien died. His family and thousands of friends still miss him… and always will. On this day, I want to relate one of the finest and funniest stories he ever told: It …
Read More »Le Petit Baton Rouge
Le petit baton rouge* By Curt Iles Creekbank Stories copyright 2006 Of all of the memorable places to visit in my home state of Louisiana, Avery Island is one of my favorites. Situated on the coastal marsh below Lafayette, “The Island” is an elevated area that rises above the surrounding flat marsh. It is not really an island but is …
Read More »Stuck on Devil’s Tower
Stuck on Devil’s Tower . . . I’m sure it seemed like a good idea at the time. On October 1, 1941 parachutist George Hopkins did something incredibly stupid. He parachuted onto the top of Wyoming’s Devil’s Tower. Recently while visiting this impressive national monument, I read about Hopkin’s stunt. He did it to get attention and …
Read More »The Mockingbird’s Midnight Song
Today is Tuesday, August 22. I am working today on a re-write of my upcoming book, The Mockingbird’s Song. Listed below is the first chapter. I hope you enjoy it. All comments are welcomed. Which of the sub-titles do you like best? P.S. If you know someone depressed or discouraged, share this with them. There is more at our website, …
Read More »Becoming a Grandpa: Noah Iles arrives
On Becoming a Grandpa This week I became a grandfather. I’m fifty years old now, recently joined the AARP, quit my good job, and then to top it off, I’m now a grandpa. Noah Iles was born Monday night to my oldest son, Clay and his sweet wife, Robin. Friends had told me that I would fall in love the …
Read More »FAQ Hearts across the Water
Friends- Here are frequently asked questions concerning my latest book, Hearts across the Water. I hope you enjoy them. What was your favorite story from “Hearts?” A conversation with Curt Iles Questions with the author of Hearts across the Water Copyright 2006 Creekbank Stories LLC ISBN 0-9705236-3-7 Tell us about your book in less than fifty words: Hearts Across …
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