Creekbank Stories Curt Iles, Storyteller

Encouragement  It’s a word we all need.     This is what the singing cowboy, Gene Autry, wrote about fellow Oklahoman Will Rogers:   I admire him, too, because out of a full and busy life, he took the time and trouble to help a struggling newcomer. I honestly believe that if it had not been for Will Rogers I …

From Crooked Bayou Swamp It’s November 11.  Veteran’s Day Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same. -Ronald Reagan

Author’s note:  we’re inviting book clubs, Louisiana History classes, homeschool groups, and English/Language Arts groups to join us as we walk through my new novel, A Spent Bullet. Welcome, Curt Iles http://www.creekbank.net Sayings:  What does ‘a dollar waiting on a dime’ mean? It’s an old country saying used when you’re waiting on somebody as in “I’m the dollar and I’m …

Thoughts from a Southern Man I write from my hometown of Dry Creek, Louisiana. I write to entertain, educate, and encourage. “It’s easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”   -Frederick Douglass   All of us are called to invest in young people.  Regardless of our age or background, we have something to offer them: experience. Who “adopted” …

“Self-respect is the root of discipline: The sense of dignity grows with the ability to say no to oneself.” -Abraham Joshua Heschel It’s Friday, November 4.  I hope you have a great day. My prayer for today:  “Lord, help me say no to the things I should.  Help me to say yes to the priority things in my life.  Most …

No Man’s Land and the Louisiana Army Maneuvers Click on map for larger view

Game 7 I’ve always loved the seventh game of the playoffs.  Whether it’s the NHL or NBA I like to watch a winner-take-all game when it’s all on the line. The Cardinals and Rangers are playing in the final game of this World Series. Last night’s Game 6 was a classic.  Twice the Rangers were within one strike of the …

One Life By Frank J. Nihart Anyone over the age of 40 knows that the older you are the faster time seems to go by.  I know of a gifted athlete who played football for Tulane University.  He was a starting halfback the two years he was there before joining the Army during the Korean Conflict.  While in the Army …

Scroll down to read chapter excerpt on carrier pigeons and their use in the 1941 La. Army Maneuvers. This week is the official release week for our new novel,  A Spent Bullet. We have 250 softcover copies and 150 hardcovers.   We’re expecting our large order of 2500 copies in early November. We’ll be signing books this Thursday, October 20 during …

Scroll down for links on website template survey Please peruse the  back cover of my upcoming childrens’ book, Uncle Sam. Uncle Sam, a cavalry horse, travels to Louisiana in the months before America enters  World War II. Sam and his best friend, Sergeant Ed, are thrust into the middle of the Louisiana Army Maneuvers.   This series of mock battles pits …

During the last several months,  an endless trail of flatbed trucks have shipped hay to the parched portions of Texas.  I’ve seen it on I-10, I-20, and even our state highways.  Word is that they’re selling these large round hay bales for $100-150 each in Texas.  They’re buying them for $25-50 each from areas blessed with adequate rainfall. I’ve been …

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 three-day August river float on Arkansas’s beautiful Buffalo …

L.L.L.* My goal is to get a tattoo that says “Life Long Learner.” I want it inked on my heart and brain.  My goal is to learn until the day I die. I’m learning that the best way to learn is by reading.  Here are books I’ve recently read or am presently feasting on: Inbound Marketing    Strategies on using the …

Bells, Whistles, Horns, and Tears … Remembering August 14, 1945 Today is Charlie Willoughy’s 87th birthday.  He’s a tough ex-marine with a tender heart. He’s working this week at Dry Creek  Camp beside other volunteers from Louisiana Campers on Missions.  After singing happy birthday to him this morning, Charlie was asked to give the breakfast blessing.   He began, “Lord, I …