Pure laughter, sadness, and nostalgic memories from an era of early 1900's. It will drift
you back in time making you yearn for the simpler times of life through the eyes of
two boys bend on creating havoc for their siblings.
Situated in the "hollers" somewhere in North West Arkansas, two boys find interesting
ways to past time since they are not priviliged to have television, indoor plumbing or
electricty. Their only means of entertainment is their imagination for fool hardy experiments
and a quest for maintaining their very existance because of the devious acts deployed by their
in secrecy.
This book was "born" from my father while he was in a nursing home. To keep his mind active,
I requested stories from his youth. Because his nickname was "Windy John" and was a natural
born story teller, he delighted in relating somewhat questionable stories as I quickly penned
the tales as he spoke. Although his dementia and diabetes provoked pauses in mid sentence
I was able to capture the essence of his stories to preserve them for future generations.
Some of the stories are true while others are a figment of his imagination. Here's to you
Daddy, I hope you are smiling down from heaven and realize your stories are there for
people to read and remember their own past as they drift back in time.
Excerpt
"Tut and I gingerly sat down. Before I realized what I was saying, the words came pouring
out of my mouth: "Thet old Bainty Hen dun wacked me fer th' last time. She's jist a mite too
free with thet thang. Iffen she whacks me one more time, I reckon I jist mite tell her ta go lay an aigg!"
I raised my arms halfway up in the air and began flapping them saying, "Clukk, clukk,
clukk, barrkk, barrak, clukk, clukk, clukk!"
"We were frothing at the gills and white as a sheet! All the color had drained from our faces; dirty brown
rings had formed around our mouth; our teeth were a shade of brownish-green ick and we
couldn't get the snuff off the inside of our lips. It was stuck like glue and burned like fire".
Professional Reviews
Big Trout Award
"Joyce Rapier, author of Windy John's Me 'N Tut made a promise to her dying
father that she would keep his stories alive and she did--in splendid fashion.
Windy John's Me "N Tut is a compilation of coming-of-age stories based upon
the author's father's recollections of his youthful experiences growing up in the hill
country of the deep south. More than that, the book is a slice of Americana that
skillfully transforms the oral traditions of a sometimes forgotten time and place
of American lore into a compilation of fascinating and entertaining stories that center
upon the lives of 'Windy John', his best friend, Tut and their families.
Life in the "holler" was tough and demanding but through it all, core values were
learned and relationships were as firm as the land these families toiled. In Windy
John's words, "They understood we were not wealthy in money but were truly
rich in love." Ms. Rapier's book is testimony that she kept her promise to her
father and readers' lives everywhere will be enriched because she did."
Jerry Mohrlang 5/25/02
www.coloradowriter.homestead.com
A Wonderful Story That Was A Joy To Read!
Windy John's Me 'N Tut by Joyce Rapier is a wonderful
story filled with human emotion...two boys growing up in a
log cabin back in the 1900's.
A book with characters so believable it was a joy to read.
The dialogue is one of mountain folk from that time period
and the plot had my attention from page one on.
I think anyone that enjoys a heart-warming story from
yesteryear will enjoy this book as much as I did.
A nice job by author Joyce Rapier
John Savoy
C.E.O. & Financial Advisor
Savoy Motion Pictures, Inc.
I love books that pull you into the past. I fell in love with the boys and all their antics. The characters come alive and before you know it, you're sitting beside them having tea. A great story for all age groups.
In the waning years in the life of the author’s father, he would tell her stories of his recollections from his childhood and younger days. She would listen avidly and write them down, promising herself that these wonderful stories would live on. This book is the result of that endeavor. It is a very well written collection on anecdotal remembrances told with rich country dialog, wit, and wisdom. The hilarious antics will make you laugh and soon you find yourself yearning for more. This is a terrific book for anyone, especially those who remember, and long for, simpler times. Mrs. Rapier has captured the spirit of the man, and the times. You can almost feel as though you were sitting there talking to Windy in person. Two thumbs up!
I read and read and felt so let down when there was no more here to read! The sounds wonderful and the added tribute to your Dad is wonderful. Not often we get to read a wonderful collection so packed full of love!
What a great title! This book appears to immortalize a father's memories. Great job indeed! What a treat to visit 'Old America' through the eyes of one who really lived it!
Joyce, having been raised in Northwest Arkansas, I felt nostalgia and laughter for the above words. I look forward to reading it in its entirety. Wonderful!
Reviewed by Bill Darnell
9/10/2002
Joyce, I thought the book was wonderful. One of the few books I actually got to enjoy reading in the past several years.
Reviewed by Larry Bohall
6/20/2002
I love this kind of story...homespun, warm, engaging, well-told...this is what good writing is all about! Good luck, Joyce!
