"British"
By, Cheryl Harwell Bailey

  

 I was born with a passion for all things "British."

 My relatives, my parents, 
did all they could to discourage this.

 My Mother did read "Peter Rabbit" to me at bedtime,

 but this does not explain my obsession.

I adore "British" authors, books, movies,
 china, cottages,
 gardens, High Tea, chintz,
 designers Laura Ashley, Rachel Ashwell, etc.

 The theme of decor for my babies nurseries of course, 

"Beatrix Potter!"

 There is a physical reason for this "pull" of the heart. 

It's genetic! Simple as that.

I am an all- American girl,
 but my kinfolks on both sides 

have been here a mere 400 years. 

They were on the British Isles millenniums.

Your "Gene Pool" is a powerful thing,

 all the days of your life, and not just for health reasons.

My heritage..... 

Kings & Queens of England to California Cowboys, 

but sometimes I so wish I could

 live in England every summer.

California Country

By, Cheryl Harwell Bailey

I was born in Santa Cruz, California, 
 "Surfer Dude" town, U.S.A.
 but they took me back to
Bakersfield, as a baby.

I was raised in a 
"Honky Tonkin Rockin" home. 
Mama's "Texas," Daddy's "Oklahoma."

Everyone had "Cowboy" names, 
like "Tumbleweed Turner."
 I cried, "I won't be country,"
"I won't!" 

 I kept my tiny transister radio 
under my pillow, 
as "The Beach Boys," 
"Jan & Dean," or "Lesley Gore," sang me to sleep.

 But then it happened, my "DNA",
 or should I say "501 Levi's" stomped in. 
I heard a song today that describes it perfectly.

"Twang"
 by "George Strait." 
"That foot stompin,' honky tonkin,'
 feelin' flowin' thru my veins,
 I need a little twang!

 Keepin' it real, 
I must say I LOVE Country music!

Gussied Up

By, Cheryl Harwell Bailey

My beautiful mother Carolyn, my brother Steve, my sister Leasa, and me!

I am happy to have been born in "1953"
 for so many reasons.

 As far as "Fashion," is concerned, 
the 1950's & 60's were amazing! 

 The hairstyles, cloths, shoes, etc. 
What style!

 I remember my mother taking me downtown every fall,
 to purchase new school shoes.

The fall of "1960," well, well, well, a shiny pair of
 Italian red leather flats were worn home that day.
I can remember how soft to the touch the shoes felt.
 I recall the scent of Italian leather.   

 I wasn't allowed to sleep in them, or I would have.

 My mother is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. Inside & out!

 She taught me how to get gussied up!

"Where Have All The Rhinestones Gone"?
By, Cheryl Harwell Bailey

A few days ago, I'm cookin' a late supper, when my cowboy turns on the CMT awards. Now, we are "grandparents" for more than 14 years, but we felt like "Fred & Wilma Flintstone." After all, I remember helping "Glena" (Moseley)  sew rhinestones onto "Buck Owens & The Buckaroos" cowboy western suits. As I watched this award show, most of the artists appeared, to be so poor that their attire seemed to be made from "Feed Sacks". I know these artists make a ton of money. The old "Waitin' In Your Welfare Line" Buck Owens song comes to mind. What happened to all the "cowboy" hats? When did "Country Music" turn into anything BUT?