Dear Reader,

You hold in your hands not just a book but a legacy -- the mind and spirit of one of the most personable, gracious. intelligent, genuine, and genuinely talented storytellers of our time -- J. J. Reneaux. She was quite something -- a fiery Cajun mix who, at first blush, might seem sort of down-home and backwoods, Louisiana style. Then, as you sat and listened, you quickly discovered that she was also totally literate and as intellectually sophisticated as all get out.

It is my privilege and good fortune to have known J.J. Now it will be yours.

So, as my friend J.J. might say, I recommend that "you read these stories and that you all enjoy and share them, too, you hear?" For under the words of each of J.J.'s stories is a music, old and fineand wild and very wise. With this book, the spirit of J.J. is alive and talkin' to ya. You arc one lucky person, indeed.

Rafe Martin