Stories from the Creek

"A Soldier's Story" by Curt IlesFrom the Creekbank Stories book, Wind in the Pines.There's always more at www.creekbank.net

It's simple.But so true.If you're supposed to be somewhere.Just show up.

Chapter 62 "A Broken Cup" from 'Where I Come From.'Read the entire chapter at www.creekbank.net

Enjoy the story of our 14 Creekbank Books

Life is full of decisions. Most are small. Others are changing. They have this in common: they involve tradeoffs. You gain things while giving up others. Be sure to count the cost. You’ll enjoy the three stories this chapter is built around. As always,Enjoy!www.creekbank.net https://creekbank.us2.list-manage.com...

You'll enjoy one of our favorite stories, "The Sign Phantom of Dry Creek."Sit back and enjoy,

Join us for Episode 23 of the Creekbank Stories podcast.Today we'll visit the Tabernacle at Dry Creek Baptist Camp.This historic building has played a special place in thousands of lives throughout Louisiana and beyond.Curt will share about the Tabernacle's meaning in his life and a long-ago life-changing decision he made there.As always, enjoy!Curt Iles and the Dry Creek family.www.creekbank.nethttps://creekbank.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=85a1f800bfceae3d97af520dd&id=4bc5b9bc15We’d be so appreciative if you’d sign up for our weekly Creekbank email and become part of the Creekbank family.By signing up, you'll receive our weekly email newsletter.As a gift of appreciation, you can download a PDF of our first novel, The Wayfaring Stranger.You'll enjoy meeting Joe Moore, Eliza Clark, and a host of memorable characters.As always, Enjoy!Curt Ileshttps://creekbank.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=85a1f800bfceae3d97af520dd&id=4bc5b9bc15

A Dry Creek HaircutYou'll enjoy meeting one of the influencers of childhood, Pete Harper, Dry Creek's Circuit-Riding.You can read the blog post at www.creekbank.netView the story at our YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@curtiles56

The Old House at the End of the RoadIf it’s possible to love a house like a person, Then the Lord knows I love this old house. It’s a place that reminds me of family, And the things in life that really mean the most. It’s a place I return to when I’m lonely. . . . . . Or it seems I’ve lost my way. A place where I always feel welcome, As I sit down and think for a while. This old house is more than boards and nails Because it tells me of our past . . . As I walk through it, I’m reminded that The special people in our lives never last. Although they’re gone, I will remember How they still live on inside of me. Because this old house reminds me of who I am, And everything I ever want to be . . . The Old House . . . at the end of the road.To learn more, visit http://www.creekbank.net

Some lessons are timeless. "Professor Cavanaugh's Best Lecture" still affects and moves readers. As always, Enjoy!More at www.creekbank.net

The best stories are always fun to tell. "Six Feet" is one of those. It's a true story, although I might have embellished it some. (All memorable stories are embellished; some more than others).Like any remarkable story, "Six Feet" offers lessons on grief, empathy, and connection.It's set within the rollicking story of a grave being dug in the wrong place at Dry Creek Cemetery.As always, Enjoy!Curt

Thoughts after Hurricane Rita: My small stand of young pines are leaning. State forester Paul Frey, “Don’t give up on these leaning pines. Most will straighten up and grow tall. Don’t lose your investment.” Don’t give up on those leaning trees. I’ve worked with teenagers all of my life. I’ve seen my share of “Leaning Teens.” They were bent due to a whole host of reasons. Don’t give up on those leaning teens. Over time, they will grow tall and straight.

My stories originate from the home of my people: the strip of western Louisiana called "The Neutral Territory" or "No Man's Land." Today's story is set in 1860, deep in the Louisiana Pineywoods of No Man's Land.You'll love Mayo Moore's narration of "Snake-Popping" from our second novel, A Good Place.As always, Enjoy!Curt IlesPlease subscribe to our podcast and share it with your friends.To learn of the many ways to become part of "The Creek Family," visit www.creekbank.net

Manuel "Curt" Green was one of my favorite Dry Creek old-timers.You'll enjoy the story of his rocky transition from an old Ford tractor to a five-speed Datsun truck.It's my favorite type of story: a fun tale with a memorable spiritual application.As always, Enjoy!CurtIf you haven't subscribed to our podcast, we'd be honored to have you as a weekly listener.

Join us for Episode 15 of the Creekbank Podcast.Today, we're sharing "Watch Out for the Fish." It's one of my favorite stories to tell.Thanks for being a faithful listener. We'd love to hear from you at [email protected] story is also on our YouTube Channel @curtiles56.We have over 1500 blog posts cataloged at www.creekbank.net. You don't have to read them all this week, but I believe you'll enjoy leafing through our past blogs. As always, Enjoy!Curt

Join Curt as he shares that things aren't always the way we see them.Meet a stray cat named Sam in the Walmart parking lot.This is episode 14 in Season 1.Enjoy!

My Dad, Clayton Iles, was a remarkable man. He spent his entire blue-collar career as a surveyor for the Highway Department, but he spent his entire life loving other people. Daddy was the most fascinating person I’ve known. Today’s story is taken from my third short story collection, Wind in the Pines. I believe you’ll be moved by Daddy’s treatise on a healthy view on death. There are many more stories like this at www.creekbank.net

I have well over 1000 blogs, and "Brother Hodges' Sermon" has always been a reader favorite.I've told the story hundreds of times since I wrote it in 2001.It continues to move people.I hope it moves you as it has me.Enjoy!SCICurt iles

Happy April Fool’s DayI love April Fool’s Day. I’m an unreformed prankster. I’ve pulled some fine pranks on April 1, and just as importantly, I’ve had a multitude of pranks on me. Don’t dish it out if you can’t take it.This is my favorite April Fool’s story.

A red cardinal.A man who loved to fly.The joy of doing what you love.

Most of you know how the Dry Creek Old House is a special part of my life. It's been mostly dark and empty since 1970. I decided to change that one cold night.I turned every light on and the magic began.Enjoy!Please share with your friends.

You'll enjoy this week's podcast, "I'm Sorry. Will you forgive me?"We'll start our story with a memorable encounter at the Rapides Parish Courthouse, then travel the rough roads of South Sudan before turning for home with a lesson to remember.Enjoy!You can read this story at our blog https://www.creekbank.net/im-sorry-will-you-forgive-me/ If you're enjoying our episodes, please share them with others. You can help get the word out on our Creekbank stories.

The Old House in Dry Creek has nine screen doors, each with its own personality and sound.Join us for a fun episode at The Creek.

"Falling Outs"In Episode 6 of the Creekbank Podcast, Curt shares two stories on broken relationships and how they can be mended.You'll meet two unforgettable brothers and sisters and learn an important lesson in life.Enjoy!Listen,Share this podcast with others.SCI

You'll enjoy our latest podcast episode, "Outdoor Living."Travel with us from the front porch to a special tree north of Leesville.

Join us at The Creekbank as we begin our winding journey through Louisiana's No Man's Land.First stop: The Seed Tree, a majestic pine along La. Hwy 113 near Ten Mile, Louisiana.

Join Curt Iles on the Old House porch as he shares one of his most beloved stories, "The Evening Holler."Pull up your rocker and take a journey back to 1892."The Evening Holler is featured in two of Curt's short story collections, Stories from the Creekbank and Deep Roots."The Evening Holler" is also available on our YouTube Channel as well as a blog post at www.creekbank.net.Enjoy!C.I.This is Episode 3 Season of Season 1 from the Creekbank Stories.Special thanks to our graphic artist/media engineer C. Jude Iles.

The fiddle song "The Eighth of January" celebrates the American victory over the British at the Battle of New Orleans on January 8, 1815.But it's more than just a 19th century tune. "The 8th of January" is the foundation for the classic ballad, "The Battle of New Orleans.You'll enjoy the connection and the story.Thanks for dropping by.Curt Iles

In Episode 1, Curt Iles shares about how his family came to live in the No Man's Land of western Louisiana. Recorded at the Old House soundstage with crackling fire background, squeaking rocker, and Bandit the dog treeing a possum in the edge of the woods.Enjoy!Curt [email protected]