Creekbank Stories Curt Iles, Storyteller

The Rocker   “Do you think now that rocker is worth $1500?”  “No, it’s worth more like $15,000.”   It was a conversation I’ll always remember. Framed with a lesson I will not forget. An earlier conversation ended with a resounding “No.”   My special friend Karan Robinson shoved a photo into my hand. “Don’t you think that’d look good …

At the Creekbank, we’re interested in encouraging other writers and small businesses.   This is an article written by my friend, Tina Martin.   Tina can be reached at tina.martin@ideaspired.com>   Enjoy this article. I hope it reminds you that your “homestead” can produce products that help and encourage others. It may be a self-published book, a Christmas tree farm …

King Mockingbird   Author’s note: this story is from my first book, Stories from the Creekbank. It concerns a mockingbird and a place I love called Dry Creek Baptist Camp.   This week is Girls Camp at Dry Creek. The photo below shows four of my granddaughters, my two sisters, my daughter-in-law, a great-niece, and their friends at camp. I …

I’m working on a book of short stories. So far, I haven’t found a publisher. There’s no use keeping these stories to myself.  Enjoy! Pass them on. I’ll be posting a new story (at www.creekbank.net) every few days. I’ll use my Curt Iles Facebook page to announce new posts.   I’m always open to suggestions, feedback, and constructive criticism.   …

  Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he [b]meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the [c]rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, …

Drone photo by Todd Burnaman less than twenty-four hours before the White House burned.     Saying Goodbye to a Grand Old Lady   Throughout my life in my hometown of Dry Creek, a building has stood that serves not only as a link to the past but as an anchor for our community.   We called it the Dry …

A Note from Curt: As long as I’m alive, the story of Sgt. Leroy Johnson will be remembered. It’s a story worth telling, worth passing on.  We need reminding that our freedom is never free. It’s important to remember stories of heroes who paid for our American freedom with their lives. It’s important to remember stories of heroes who paid …

“The White House” from Hearts across the Water Friday, September 23, 2005 It is just before bedtime on the night before Hurricane Rita slams into Southwest Louisiana. A crowd of fifty anxious faces stares into mine as they await words of wisdom from the camp director. The faces are each so different and individual. Some faces are black; others are …

Encouragement is something that doesn’t cost anything to give yet the outcome is priceless! -May Hill  

“Stand up and speak out, even if your voice is trembling.”

  Encouragement   What a good word: encouragement. I could list various definitions. Instead, I’ll do what I do (and love) best. I’ll tell a story: The 1936 Berlin Olympics are among the most famous Olympiads of the 20th century. Its location was Germany Its time: Europe was building toward another war, less than twenty years since the last one. …

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 …

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.    …

December 26 The Day After Christmas It’s the dusk on the day after Christmas. I’m hiding at the edge of Miller Pond, waiting for the wood ducks to come in. You’d laugh if you saw me. I’m in camo and a dark ski mask. I’m sitting in a fold-up chair, trying not to move at all. It’s time for the …