"Aunt Gutsy and Gussied Up"
By, Cheryl Harwell Bailey

With the WWII vets, dying at the rate of over 1,000 a day, I think it's high time, I tell my Aunt's story.
 Today is a good day for that, and I'm thankful she is still,
 as gutsy as ever. She was a soldier in WWII.

Juanita Harwell Carlson is my Dad's sister. 
Her parents had 10 children. The first five were born in Oklahoma, and the second five were born in Arizona.
 Their first child, "Mary," died at 5 months old, and baby "Paul," also died in infancy. They raised 8 healthy children.

Boy's...7
Girl's...1

 Aunt Juanita was the only girl in this bunch of cowboy's, except "Grandma!"

Ask anyone, and they will tell you she was, and is, as tough as they come, even now as she drives her black 2011 Ford Mustang muscle car, with a white racing stripe.

Aunt Juanita

Cecil, Juanita, Grandpa Harwell holding David

Our family enjoys hearing and telling the story of the last baby boy born, number 10, my Dad, and what happened.

Kenneth Harwell

Doctor Rubble brought a "Baby" to "Grandma & Grandpa's" house in "Buckeye," on four previous occasions.
 All boy's. 

He had just assisted Mrs. Harwell for the 5th time,
 when a skinny little 10 year old girl, picked up a broom,
 in "baseball," fashion and threatened,
 "If you bring one more boy into this house, I'll.........

The doctor walked to the table, and began to write. 
To this very day, my macho, car racin,' bull ridin,' pentecostal preacin,' "Daddy," that's right! 
He's a "girl," on his birth certificate.

Later, the "Harwell's, moved from "Buckeye" Arizona to "Bakersfield" California.

During World War II,
 three of the boy's joined the military.
  Aunt Juanita wanted to join,
 "Grandpa" would not sign the papers. 
"Grandma said, 
"I'll sign!"
 "You might meet the kind of wonderful "man" you deserve." 

And that is exactly what happened.
 She married a "Marine" from Montana, and became
 Mrs. Verner Carlson.

Juanita Harwell

T5 Juanita Harwell 
   86th WAC Hospital Company, 
Letterman General Hospital,
 The Persidio, San Francisco California. 
 She was one of the nurse's,
 to mend the bodies of the soldiers from
 "The Bataan Death March."
 So highly skilled she was appointed as
 General Wainwright's personal nurse.
This is where she was when the war ended.
Verner took his new "Bride," back home to "Montana!"

Mr. and Mrs. Verner Carlson

Grandma's prayer's were answered. 
Verner Carlson was "The Man!"
She retired a professional in the medical field. 
He was the "Fire Chief" of "Billings."
 They moved to "Red Lodge" to spend their golden years.

"A Soldier's Story"
By, Cheryl Harwell Bailey

The year was 1950, November 27th and 28th.
 It was during the most dreadful and terrifying moments of the Korean War.
 The weather was very bad, the temperature dropping down to 34 below zero.
 The Marines were ordered to attack.
 They were to attack on the east and west of the "Chosin Reservoir," in North Korea.
 It was later described as
 "the most ill advised and unfortunate operation of the Korean War.

On the 28th they came up against a red army of 120,000.
 Our American Marines were surrounded, outnumbered 37,000 to 1. 
Many were down. 
"Marine Kenneth Sanders" among  them. 
 He was severely wounded, spending an entire year on a hospital ship,
 plus another year in a land hospital to recover.

Kenneth's account of the fight:
"On Nov. 28th, all the Marines in our platoon perished during the battle, 
with the exception of myself, I being wounded, and one other Marine.
 "Otis," with a Machine gun in one hand, and a pistol in the other, 
he stepped in front of me, shielding me, from enemy fire, with his own body.
 With both guns blasting away, he died saving my life."

Our Marine received 
"The Purple Heart,"
 "The Bronze Star,"
 and "The Korean War Service Medal,"
 from South Korea, posthumously. All for his bravery.
 His body has not been recovered to this very day, 
but his family has not lost hope that someday he will come home.

Who was this man? 
His name was Otis Merle Harwell.

She was his girl, "Laverne Hunt."
 She corresponded with "Grandma,"
until my grandmother died in 1991. 

I am sure there are other's who could

 better share my Uncle's story. 

I wish I had known him.

I wish he had been there on my wedding day,

 along with my other soldier uncle's.

I wish he had met his nephew "Tommy's," beautiful 

"Korean Bride," Connie.

I wish he were here to meet his namesake,

Tom and Connie's new baby Grandson,

"Otis"

"Memorial Day"

Are your flags up yet?
 Are you listening to "Lee Greenwood's" song,
 "God Bless the U.S.A.?"

Memorial Day
 is an American Federal Holiday. 
As a child from the 1950's,
 each year we made 
a pilgrimage to the cemeteries,
 placing little American flags and flowers
 on the graves our family heroes.

 I was taught to honor those who had died,
  those who had gone on,
 before I was born. 
I truly felt love for them,
 standing beside their graves.
I still do!

When we arrived home, 
fried chicken, watermelon,
 mashed potato salad,
 brought us around the table to hear stories
 of those we were honoring.
 Especially "Otis," 
who perished in a blazing battle
 during the "Korean War." 
Grandma would open the cedar chest,
 take out his uniform,
 and hold up his dress blues.
 "Look how tall he was."
 So proud of her 6'4" Marine!

Otis Merle Harwell

For some "Memorial Day" is a time to celebrate, be patriotic, but let us not confuse 
"The Fourth of July" with "Memorial Day!"
 "July 4th" is about the BIRTH of our country. 
"Memorial Day" is about the DEATH,
of those who keep us free!
Let us not confuse "Veterans Day,"
in which we honor our wonderful warriors.
" Memorial Day"
is to revere those soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
To hold in sacred Memoriam.
  

  
I understand "Memorial Day" is the beginning of "Summer," which makes us overjoyed, 
but we need first;

To 
"Honor"
"Reverence"
and 
"Remember"

That's what "Memorial Day" is all about!

"Lady Bookworm's Nest"

One of my "top 5" passions, "Books." I love to read!  These are some of my favorites:
 "The Bible," (King James Version), is my forever #1 favorite. What could be better than the book written by "God?" It is the ultimate for time and eternity. It is "Truth!"
  "The Message Bible,"
  "A Tale of Two Cities," by Charles Dickens, 
"Remains of the Day," by Kazuo Ishiguro, 
 "The Cross and the Switchblade," by David Wilkerson,
  "Sarah Plain and Tall," by Patricia MacLachlan, 
 "Anna and the King of Siam," by Margaret Landan, 
 "In His Steps," by Charles M. Sheldon, 
" Les Miserales," by Victor Hugo, 
 "Out of Africa," by Isak Dinesen,
  "The Age of Innocence," by Edith Wharton, 
" Anna Karenina," by Leo Tolstoy, 
" Beloved Invader," by Eugenia Price,

 " Wuthering Heights," by Emily Bronte',
 "Christy", by Catherine Marshall, 
 "Gone With the Wind," by Margaret Mitchell, 
"Howard's End," by E.M. Forester,
 "Jane Erye," by Charlotte Bronte', 
"The Hiding Place," by Corrie Tin Boom,
 "Sense & Sensibility," by Jane Austen,
 all Jane Austen books,
 all Beatrix Potter books, 
all Laura Ingalls Wilder books, 
all Frances Hodgson Burnett books, 
"Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott.
 The list could go on and on.

 Most of my life I couldn't afford to buy all the books I wanted, but that didn't hinder me in the least. Praise the Lord for public libraries. You can check out books, movies, and music, for weeks, at no cost. All you need is a "Library Card!"

And a comfy spot!

"5" Years Old
By, Cheryl Harwell Bailey

"Happy Birthday" 
to
 "The Baby Girl"

"Hello Kitty!"

I had to wait a long long time, to finally have a 
"Grand Girl!"
 And what an AWESOME girl you are. 
You are the most brilliant girl 
ever born on the face of this earth. 
You are music and sunshine to this ole' grandma,
 and you know how much I LOVE music.
 I love you more. 
Sometimes I can hardly wait to see
 what you will be when you grow up. 
Sometimes I want to keep you little, 
so I can cuddle you in my rocking chair. 
 Just look at how big you have grown, since this photo, 
the hour you were born! 

Cowgirl Up
by,  Cheryl Harwell Bailey

One of my favorite songs of all time is "I'm A Woman," by  "Peggy Lee." 
It is an anthem, of sorts, to what we girls do everyday.
 I love the line, "I can bring home the bacon, fry it up in the pan, .......

 Girls of yesterday, today, and from now on, can save the day,
 even if we have little or no money honey.

 Who of us could ever forget "Maria," in "The Sound of Music."
 When "Captain Von Trapp" refused to give her a cent to purchase play clothes
 for his children. She didn't pout!! 
 She got busy sewing practical Bavarian outfits for each child. 
The lovely green & white drapes from her  "Nanny" quarters, had just "enough" fabric.
 She made head scarves for the girls, with the snippets.
 Only a very gutsy nanny would test "Captain Von Trapp!"
The serious, stern, "Captain" couldn't take it, he melted,
 madly in love, at "Maria's" feet. 

And  I dare not forget the most famous "Southern Belle" of all time, 
"Katie Scarlet O'Hara," the heroine from "Gone With the Wind."

 Needing to appear undamaged by the war, she & mammy pulled down 
the very costly green silk velvet Portiere's (drapes). 
They found the patterns, and sewed a fashion forward 
"French" dress, pocketbook, and parasol. 
 Not wasting a bit, they used the gold fringe trim. 
 Notice the rooster feather plume on the top of her hat?
 Remember "Christmas" dinner?

 We all believed Scarlet, when she vowed, "as God is my witness,
 I, and my family will never go hungry again!"

 It took a mighty gutsy Southern Belle to try and put one over on savvy 
"Captain Rhett Butler!"

The Ultimate "Gutsy & Gussied Up," Girl!

Suffering hard times, brings out the best in us. 
It challenges us to buckle down,
 and find overlooked resources all around us. 
It makes us creative.
 It gives us character.
 It makes us strong.
 It refines us.
 "Jane Austen" called it "Gumption!"

And "Rhett," the ultimate super hero? He clearly fell head over heels.
 "What a woman," he said, and it wasn't just because she was beautiful.
 He loved her gutsy soul. 

Too much of a "good thing," can be a distraction, 
wasting precious time, that will never return.
 Material things cannot fill the whole in our hearts.

 Making a smoothie for an excited grandchild however, 
can fill every crannie of a grannie's heart. 
Something as simple as making "Root Beer Floats," brings such joy.

Has a shopping trip to the mall ever touched your soul? 
It may give a temporary high,
 but it's not a memory,  you and future generations will remember.
 To "Cowgirl Up," is to do that which is worthy of a gutsy girls sweet time.

Money honey, can be a blessing, or a burden. 
Just live within your means.
 If you respect money, it will respect you.
 If you don't, it won't!

Cowgirl Up!

"Gutsy Mama"

Mama and Daddy were a typical young American couple. After Dad worked hard all week,
 they went out on Saturday nights, to local bars, such as 
"The Lucky Spot," or "The Blackboard." 

 One particular evening at the "Blackboard," 
a gentleman who had, one too many drinks, was arrested.

As the police officer's were trying to get him in the cruiser, 
he resisted, afraid of the "German Shepard," in the back seat. They plummeted the poor guy with their fists, 
as the bewildered fellow doubled over in pain.

In response my petite little "mother" came running to his rescue, ready to take on the entire police force if necessary.

 As her ladylike hands & feet were flying,  
Daddy, picked her up, and split before they had the chance
 to haul his "Lady" to jail, along with the drunk stranger.

Those who know her cannot imagine such a scene. 
She was courageous then, and she is courageous now. 

When she boogied on the dance floor,
 God knew she would move through the jungles of the Philippines.

When she sang in the "Honkey Tonks," 
God knew she would sing in
 "Church!"

When she was a "Truck Driver's Wife,"
 God knew she would be a 
"Preacher's Wife."

When she was lost,
 God knew she would be found.

Rev. & Mrs. Kenneth Harwell
The Philippines

"Goin' To The Chapel"
By, Cheryl Harwell Bailey

I was only 17 that moonlit night in May. 
I was sitting close to Randy, 
as he pulled the car next to the beautiful lake.
The moon was full, it's reflection shining 
brightly on the water. 

 He and I got out,
 walking along the water's edge, holding hands.
 Suddenly he kissed me and held me in his arms.

"I love you Cheri," he said.
 "I love you," I whispered back.

"You're the one Cheri!"

 "Will you marry me?"
 "Yes" I replied, "I will!"

Going back home for the summer of 1970, 
Dad carried the last box from my dorm room,
 putting it in the trunk of the car.

"Mr. Harwell," can I help you with that?"
 Dad ignoring him completely, Randy persisted. 
"Could we talk for a moment, Sir?" 
"I'm in a hurry young man, see ya later,"
replied Dad.

  Dad opened my car door and told me to get in.
 I obeyed as always.

 Dad got in and slammed his door. 
He fired up the big mean screamin' machine,
 shaking the California ground, like an earthquake. 
"BOOM, BOOM, BOOM! 
  Randy "shouted!"
"Would you allow me to have Cheri's hand in marriage, 
Mr. Harwell?"
  
"Come and see me in about four years," 
Dad shot back, leaving my "Beloved," covered in a
 cloud of black dust as smokin' tires pealed rubber.

 We flew down the gravel road, like lightening,
 farther and farther away from
 "the beat of my young heart!"

 That's the day I decided "Randall" was
 "Braveheart!" 
He was my knight in an "Arrow" button down oxford. 

Talk about "Gutsy!"

A few weeks later,

"Braveheart Bailey," brought his "parents," to 
"Grandma's Cottage,"
 to formally introduce them to my "parents."
 It was the first time all 4 parents talked, 
as Randy & I looked on in total disbelief. 

It was in July.

 As soon as we were alone, 
Randall slipped a diamond ring on my finger!

 My Dad has never been a "yes" man,
 so when he gave me his blessing,
 only seconds before he walked me down the aisle, 
it was genuine. 
When he placed my hand in Randy's, 
he finally gave him his answer. Yes!
 He gave me away to the man with whom 
I would share the rest of my life.

On April 3, 1971,

 The West Coast Bible College Chapel

Mr. & Mrs. Randall Bailey

True story.