Sinner-Man

Mom & Dad circa 2001

Church of God Bishop Kenneth Harwell, cuttin' a rug.
I really don't think they learned to 
dance like this in "church."
 They were "Honky Tonkers," and quite the dancers
 in the B.C. Years. 

I know my life appears so sweet and Christian,
 but has there ever been such a sinner family as mine?

 Our family motto in the B.C. years?
 Vengeance is mine thus saith the "Harwell's!" 
If you hurt or harm any of this family, 
you better get out of Dodge, aka Bakersfield.
 They never turned the other cheek. 
More like an eye for an eye.

I could change the names in this blog,
 but my heritage will only allow me to "tell it like it is!"
"Can you believe what the Lord has done for this my family?" 

During the B.C. years, long before I married the "Prince,"
 I saw a whole heap of justice! 

"American" style.

I have given much thought to the "Title,"
 of this true family story.

When "Mr. Darcy," (Randy) asked me,
 the name of the story, he nearly spit out his tea.
 I'm not trying to be rude, but this is the only one that fits! "People will think you're "backslid!"
 But since when have I worried about what "people," think?

 I just want to "tell it" right. 
This event is part of the old Bakersfield history, 
and common knowledge among the old timers.
 Some home town legends are true,
 like "Tow Sack Annie," and "Tumbleweed Turner,"
and the famous 
"Harwell Cat fight." 

"The words and stories which I do not write,
 no other will!"
"Cheryl Harwell Bailey" 

~

"Bitch Slapped"

By, Cheryl Harwell Bailey

"These frog legs taste so good, sissy, can I have one more?"

Yes Stevie, you can, but don't get the grease on your sleepers.

You want one too Leasa? No, Sissy, I want eggs! 

We heard Mama yell, I'm coming kids, as she and Daddy came into the kitchen.

Daddy made his "Truck Driver," coffee,
 and I took a cup out to "Jim Sandy,"who was 
passed out on our couch.
 Jim had the blackest shiny slicked back "Elvis," hair, 
I have ever seen. 
He was always really nice, and  looked like "007,"
 in his white stiff starched french cuffed shirt.
 Have you ever seen 1 caret diamond cuff links?
 I called him 
"Diamond Jim."

I listened as they talked about the night before.

Five of the Harwell Brothers, only sister, Juanita,
 and their spouses, had gone to
 "Maison Josos," 
on Saturday night for dinner, drinks, and dancing.
 It was the fanciest, most expensive french restaurant this side of "Beverly Hills."

A totally new kind of night club, restaurant was opened on the 99 Strip in 1950. Named "Maison Jaussaud's", Bakersfield had never before experienced such a swanky place as this. It's French cuisine, headliner entertainment and French chateau like interior styling made a couple feel like really dressing up and spending the evening dinning and dancing at "Joso's", as it was called for short. 

The all male staff of up to 60 waiters wore tuxedos which sort of coaxed patrons to "dress up" in their Sunday best when going out to Joso's for their anniversary or the Company's Christmas party. A real cultural boost for Bakersfield's usual leisurely dressed crowd. Over the years Joso's hosted many celebrities including California Governors Pat and Jerry Brown, Senators Ted Kennedy and Alan Cranston, Bob Hope and Bing Crosby, Charles Laughton and the Shaw of Iran. 

The food was the best Bakersfield had ever experienced. The extensive menu included over 70 items and specialties such as "rack of lamb"prepared by real French chefs was delicious. The wine cellar was stocked with nearly 100 varieties of French and domestic wines. The restaurant and showroom could seat 1000 people and on occasions when famous personalities or orchestras were featured as entertainment, they played to a full house. 
Joe Gilbert Lynch

I so wish young people could get a glimpse of how

 super chic they dressed back then.
 Think "Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant, Doris Day,
 mixed with the mingling scents, 

of Channel No. 5, and tobacco. 

Talk about 36-24-36 beauteous aunts and mommy.

Talk about muscled handsome uncles and daddy.

 The Harwell's absolutely knew how to do,
"Cool!"
This western family loved country, but could be very sophisticated if the occasion called for it.
 They had all served in the armed forces except two.
 Even my Aunt Juanita served in WWII. 
One brother died a hero in battle.

One of the brother's, missing that night,
   did not want to party. 
He and his 3 kids, were at the "cottage," with our grandparents. His wife was having an affair.
 And they all knew it. That just wasn't done. The women in this clan were as faithful as the day is long.

This brother was an awesome 
husband, father, son and brother. 
He didn't deserve this heartbreak. She was his wife.

As the siblings were dining on french cuisine,
 they watched the maitre'd direct a couple to their table.

It was her, and the boyfriend!

Like the brazen "Hoochy Mama," she was,
 she completely ignored  her "Harwell" tribe, 
while seated at the other end of the room. 
The whole place was buzzing with music and talk,
 but suddenly it got very quiet when she rose from her seat, picked up her evening bag, and walked to the 
"Powder Room."

Dead silence followed as Aunt Juanita stood up and said, "come on girls!"
 Even the music stopped.
 With her head held high, she gracefully strolled to the "powder room,"
 with sister-in-laws, following behind.

 She whispered, "guard the door!" They did!
Aunt opened the door, walked in, shut it, locked it.
 Has it ever happened before or since in a classy
 french restaurant?

It was not a pretty sight or sound. 
But those who were there that night said my aunt
 "mopped the floor," with her cheating sister-in-law!

 The fur was a flyin,' and the boy's were a rockin.'

Later Aunt Juanita emerged from the powder room.
 She and the girls joined their "Hunks," on the dance floor.

 Lipstick a little smudged but none less for wear. 
It is a thing of joy to see a family "celebrate," good times.
 After a battle.

This was a time, when women were warriors,
 fighting for, and to keep their husbands. 
When women stood up for,

Brother

Husband
Sister
Parent
Children
Family

Back in the day,
this, my amazing family, stuck together like glue. 
Only one marriage break - up.
But not without a fight!
At a fancy french restaurant.


Aunt Juanita is 90 Years Young!