Our Books

December 29: Sharp Hooks

December 29  Sharp Hooks   Reas Weeks was a Dry Creek legend who lived and died before my time. He was a bachelor who lived in a remote area along Bundick Creek. He never owned a vehicle or held a regular job. He supported himself by fishing, hunting, and farming. He was known as the best creek fisherman in our …

Read More »

Dec. 27 “Two Masters” Bah Humbug Week Continues:

December 27   We’re walking you through the week after Christmas.  I call it “Bah Humbug Week.”  It’s a time of recovery from Christmas.  It’s often a difficult week. I believe it’s an essential week.   A time to slow down. A time to take inventory of the past week. An opportunity to look toward the coming new year.    …

Read More »

Stocking Stuffers from the Creekbank

It’s Christmas and time to help you with stock stuffers and difficult gifts. We are offering five of our Creekbank books for sale during Christmas. Each book is for sale at a discount of $10 per book and to encourage multiple purchases, there is a total shipping fee of $5 regardless of purchase size. Each book is personally autographed. You …

Read More »

Memorial Day- The Gift of Life: 24,550 Extra Days

Herman Clemenson lived 24,500 days after Sgt. Leroy Johnson saved his life on Dec. 15, 1944. The place was Leyte Island, Philippines. The story is one for the ages. 24,550 days. That’s a long time.  That’s 67 years and over two months. Close to a lifetime.  And Herman Clemenson,  a North Dakota soldier had this gift of a lifetime thanks …

Read More »

A Time to Read … and Grow

Listen to an Audible audiobook free sample of As the Crow Flies. A Time to Read   There have been so many challenges and opportunities during this time of uncertainty. I’m reminded of a quote in The Art of War by Sun Tzu, “In the midst of chaos, there is an opportunity.” Webster’s defines opportunity as a “good chance for …

Read More »

“Uncle Quincy’s Goose” from ‘Wind in the Pines’

  Uncle Quincy’s Goose   (From Curt Iles’s third book, Wind in the Pines.) “He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.” -Proverbs 21:23   You are probably familiar with the old story of the gossip who was confronted for spreading an untruth throughout the community. The offending “tale-bearer” apologized and volunteered to go back to …

Read More »

January 1: Lagniappe

A word from Curt The following story, about King George VI and his famous Christmas message and poem to the British people during the darkest days of the War. Scroll down to read this remarkable story   January 1 Lagniappe A New Year  This is the final post from our book, Christmas Jelly. We’ve enjoyed visiting with you during the …

Read More »

Dec. 31: “Finishing Strong” Last Day of the Year

December 31 New Year’s Eve   Finishing Strong   Ted Williams is generally considered the greatest hitter in the history of major league baseball. Two events from his career speak about the concept of “finishing strong.” In 1941, Williams entered the last day of the season with a batting average of .3995. This would qualify him for a rounded off …

Read More »

December 30 Moving Out

        A Word from Curt   Grateful. Gratitude is one of my 6+ words for 2016. 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 …

Read More »

Dec. 26. . . and now it begins: Bah Humbug Week

For the next week, through January 1, I’ll share a daily short short story with thoughts to help us all navigate that wonderful week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. I lovingly call it “Bah Humbug” Week. It can be the most difficult week of the year. Stay tuned  daily for a story, thought, or insight that hopefully will make …

Read More »

Dec. 25 Christmas Day My Favorite: My Grandpas’ Boots

A Story for Christmas  During December we’re featuring one short story per day from my latest book, Christmas Jelly.  Today’s story is my favourite from the thirty-two stories.*   Enjoy! Christmas Jelly contains thirty-two chapters– 0ne for each day in December plus January 1.     MY GRANDPAS’ BOOTS CURT ILES       My name is Abe and this …

Read More »

Dec. 23: Christmas Eve-Eve

The Hay’s in the Barn It’s “Christmas Eve-Eve.” Two days until Christmas. It’s close but there’s still time for planning and dreaming. A strong cold front is blowing in as I arrive at Foreman’s Meat Market. Last night we were in shirtsleeves. By tonight it will be freezing. Long vee formations of geese have been flying over all morning. They’re …

Read More »

Dec. 21: Lazarus’ Second Funeral from “Christmas Jelly”

Lazarus’ Second Funeral I guess I’m only one who attended both of Boaz Lazurus’ funerals. The second one was yesterday. The first one was thirty-one years ago. I remember the first funeral well. I was a young rabbi, only recently assigned to the Bethany synagogue. I’ll never forget the raw grief of his two sisters, Mary and Martha. I had …

Read More »

December 20: A Danish Christmas

                     Christmas Jelly. Learn more at www.creekbank.net   This is chapter 20 from Christmas Jelly. It’s written by one of my favorite people, Erik Pederson.  Mr. Erik touched all of us with his love, humor, and smile. He’ll always be missed in Dry Creek.   I encouraged him to write this story and …

Read More »