Stories from the Creekbank

Wow! Wow!  What a good word. ‘Wow’ infers that something caught our attention and amazed us. It is a companion to my three note song of life: 1. Stay curious. 2. Be amazed. 3. Tell a story The “Wow Story” presently moving my heart is the miracle of Kelly and Shane Longoria. God is healing Kelly from what should’ve been …

combine with Joseph’s brothers and their 20 year lie Some are saying it cost him $10 million dollars in endorsements. The lower estimate is that Ryan Lochte’s string of lies cost him at least $5 million in future earnings and endorsements. $5 million or $10 million lost.  That’s a pile of regret. And it all goes back to a drunken …

Dry Creek’s finest and biggest pine knot pile in the yard of my friends, Mark and Kari Miller. The following is a short sad story on how I lost my own pile. Earthly treasures, pine knot piles, and 401 (K) accountsx All of a sudden, the February wind picked up and turned out of the south. Instantly what had been …

  From Stories from the Creekbank by Curt Iles   Keep on Paddling Our canoe drifted into the swift cold waters of the White River. All of a sudden we’d left the calm waters of the narrow Buffalo River and now were paddling furiously upstream in a raging, much-wider river. Frank Bogard and I were at the end of a …

From the book,  Stories from the Creekbank, by Curt Iles   A Loving Hand The Time is Now  If you are ever going to love, love me now, while I can know The sweet and tender feelings from which true affection flow. Love me now, while I am living. Do not wait until I’m gone. And then have it chiseled …

This is a story from my first book, Stories from the Creekbank. It concerns a memorable person from Galveston, Texas. The plaque mentioned is at sidewalk level atop the sea wall.  A Good Epitaph to Have. . .   Have you ever thought about what epitaph you’d like to have? Recently as I walked along the seawall in Galveston, I …

    Funny Things in Church It seems often that hilarious moments occur during the most serious and solemn events. Many of the funniest things I’ve ever seen have happened in church. I guess it is because a great part of my life has been spent in the pews, and I have this really bad habit of watching people. I’ve …

This post is from my first book, Stories from the Creekbank. Enjoy!   Most Likely to Succeed It was Saturday in the middle of the busy summer camp season. After a great week of youth camp, I was enjoying lunch with some of our summer staff. Across the dining hall, a group from East Beauregard High was having their ten-year …

This is a hidden gem from our first book,  Stories from the Creekbank. Enjoy! Mrs. Helen Every season at Dry Creek is beautiful in its own way. The winter months are no exception. Winter group campfires are my favorite event at the prayer garden. My favorite campfire story is about a lady called Mrs. Helen. Mrs. Helen came with a …

Reas Weeks   I never knew Reas Weeks . . . but I sure know some good stories about him. Reas (pronounced “Reese”) was a bachelor in Dry Creek who lived on the bank of Bundick Creek. He lived way back in the woods, never owned a vehicle, and supported himself by fishing, hunting, and gardening. Mr. Frank Miller always …

Be Still and Know On a beautiful Spring Saturday, my three sons and I went to work on the nature trail at the camp. As we hiked through the woods with our saw, pruning shears, and other gear, we were filled with the camaraderie of boys and dads in the woods. My youngest son, Terry, who was four, waded through …

This story is from my first short story collection,  Stories from the Creekbank. I hadn’t thought about this story in years. It still touches me as I re-read it after all of these years. Enjoy.   Love is still love… in any language                     Now where do I start in describing a passionate love affair I became involved in a …

A Dead Tree with Deep Roots This morning I went by to check on one of my favorite trees in the whole world. As my youngest son Terry and I left our deer stand deep in Crooked Bayou Swamp, we made a detour through the woods. As we walked under the towering oaks and hickories, a late fall was at …

  A word from Curt Today’s word is brothers. We continue our journey through summer camp. I haven’t thought about Luke Haynie in a long time.  This story takes me back to Luke and the Summer of 1999. Trampled Grass is coming your way.  You can pre-order your printed copy here. We’d love to hear your comments on this story. You can use …