Marsia's Journal

[General] - Marsia - marsia@mshmusic.com @ 17:44:26

MY GRANDMA ROCKED!

MATTIE OPHELIA POOLE

April 15th 1900 - January 31st 2006

My grandmother Mattie Poole had great character.
A character worthy of old fashioned honor
and respect.
She was a caring woman,
The kind that would give you just what you needed,
Right when you needed it.
She was a great example of how
to live WISELY
…a True Teacher.

A Quilt-maker.
In every stitch there was a prayer.

In every meal
a Blessing.

When we went through hard times
She made my clothes.

When the cupboard seemed bare
She created mouth watering meals.

I like to say that,
“She was a Master at turning Nothing into Something.”

Maybe she learned that trick during The Great Depression. Or one of those World Wars…

Her favorite people?
“The little People,” she called them.
Kids flocked to her.

She played a mean game of checkers and would never let us win!

I think she got a little kick out of making us sweat
as she watched us strive to do better and better.
But the truth of the matter was, no matter how much we improved, she was the best, quicker and more skilled.
We loved her for it!

Mattie Poole had a gentle heart and solid steps…
Sure...
Deeply Rooted in Spirit

Her level of Integrity, Faith and Compassion
Far surpass that of anyone I have ever met.
She was without question
The Best Human Being I have ever known,
Beautifully Humble
And swimming in Wisdom.

I am so fortunate to have had her as my grandmother. Mother Grand.

She would often say to me,
”Love Everybody.”
This is a woman who had lived 106 years.
Think about our history. There was alot she could have been bitter about.
But that's not how mattie lived. Her-story is long. So very long.
To think that she remained so open hearted.
Never tainted by even the worst of circumstances.
Always a Vessel of Light.

Do we know how to love unconditionally?

Really, do we?

Where are our examples?

I had one.

Perhaps you have one as well.

If so,

Isn’t it our responsibility to share these gifts with others?

Actions speak so much louder than words.

So many people proclaim to know Truth

And so many less Live it.

Mattie Poole Lived it.

Consciously.

The Mayor of my hometown declared
April 15th
Mattie Poole Day,

A testament to her greatness.

Yes, I have my Grandma lifted pretty high up on a pedalstool.
And I’m not the only one!

She was a most rare and special gift to all who knew her

There are no words for the depth of my love and gratitude.

May she continue to Rock On!

23.04.05

[General] - Marsia - marsia@mshmusic.com @ 23:20:06

watercolor c 2005 MSH

02.04.05

[General] - Marsia - marsia@mshmusic.com @ 01:18:46

Mother Turtle
The Chance Theatre NY 3/5/05
phot: Eric M. Townsend

[General] - Marsia - marsia@mshmusic.com @ 01:10:45

Busta B.
The Chance
photo: Eric M. Townsend

[General] - Marsia - marsia@mshmusic.com @ 01:01:36

ADAM
The Chance
photo: Eric M. Townsend

[General] - Marsia - marsia@mshmusic.com @ 00:41:37

Atticus
The Chance Theatre
photo: Eric M. Townsend

[General] - Marsia - marsia@mshmusic.com @ 00:12:54

"...what a long, strange trip it's been."

Mother

The Chance Theatre NY

Photo Credit: Eric M. Townsend

14.03.05

GOOD TIMES and MORE on the WAY [General] - Marsia - marsia@mshmusic.com @ 18:59:13

MOTHER TURTLE

Thanks to Everybody at the Calvin Theatre and The Chance Theatre shows!

I especially enjoyed meeting and hearing Jill Sobule

as well as brother Martin mouthing Saxophone lines to
"All or Without" Too cool.

At The Chance, Mother sang songs that hopefully rang... LOUD, Busta B. banged his "tooth aching" heart out, Atticus rocked, and rocked and swayed, while Adam thumped and popped the night away.

Good time had by all.

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS DONATED TO OUR CD FUNDRAISING EFFORT! WE ARE STIL ACCEPTING DONATIONS. GO TO SPONSOR and click on the Paypal link. THANK YOU!

TICKETS for the MOTHER TURTLE CD Release Concert on May 15th are available Now! Tickets are $10. adv. and $13. door.
Go to: IHEG.com or call 1-800-the-tick

Hope to see you all there!

13.03.05

Turtle Cometh [General] - Marsia - marsia@mshmusic.com @ 22:11:45

08.01.05

[General] - Marsia - marsia@mshmusic.com @ 16:38:42

HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL!

05.12.04

How Quickly Life Can Change [General] - Marsia - marsia@mshmusic.com @ 02:03:19

It's amazing how life can change in an instant. The band and I were driving to a DVD shoot when we hit black ice going down a mountain. Let me give you the mood:

Right before we got in the car, Atti was singing and strumming the guitar, singing, "it's time to die." I was in a bit of a funk and solely focused on "getting there." For the 2nd day, Adam was feeling uncomfortable in the car and last but not least, Buster was playing the Doors' "Mr. Mojo Risen" on his laptop!

I remember thinking, "there's probably ice ahead, I think I'll slow down" but it was too late. The car suddenly slid sideways on a patch of ice. We bounced off the first embankment, crossed the road again and slammed into the guard rail; which thank God was there protecting us from driving off the very steep cliff. Then once again, we were sent back across the road only to ram into a wall of dirt, which the LandCruiser then tried to climb, causing us to flip over and run smack into a tree; sending me (Miss not wearing a seatbelt), partly through the windshield! My head was just a few inches from hitting that large Pine. The glass broke into pieces on and around my face but somehow held together and did not completely shatter. Instead, it cupped my body so when it broke free from the frame of the windshield (on the passenger side only-the driver's side held tight) the glass cradled me just enough to keep me from dying! Wow, that sounds melodramatic but it's freakin' true. When I got out of the car, I could see my impression in the glass and my head print was just inches from the tree.

Talk about a wake up call. When something of this magnitude happens, it's hard not to look at what one can change in her life. I do believe I am changed. The boys and I are thankful to be here. It's still too recent to completely fathom. I'm writing it all down. There are big lessons here. I totalled a great car but I'm walking away with my life and a new perspective.

Mostly, I am so happy that none of the guys were badly hurt. I don't know if I could have handled that. They are all so very special to me.

Spiritually, I am full and give thanks.

Thanks to all of you who have ever loved or aided me in any way.
I am thankful to all of you who listen to me sing my songs and buy my music.
Truly, I am thankful.

So...
Mother Turtle still lives and we can't wait to play for you.

Stay tuned...

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

30.10.04

Mother Turtle on the Move.. [General] - Marsia - marsia@mshmusic.com @ 22:47:29

Hi Everybody!
Fall is truly here. Could you believe the foliage this
year?! Incredible. I live in the country, so to be surrounded by such vibrant color has really perked up my energy levels!

The show w/ Jeffrey Gaines in Philly was great. Jeffrey sounds as good as ever and he made me melt when he sang "In your Eyes." Man, what a voice! Thanks to you who came out to see me. Steel City is a cool room. I'll be back there again.

Mother Turtle drummer, Buster.B and I (a.k.a Momma T.) spent a few days last week in NYC. Met up w/Buster’s Bro. who plays percussion for Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals!

It was nice to see Ben again. He's sounding great too. He just made a Gospel album with The Blind Boys of Alabama. It's #1 in the country! Go Ben! We surprisingly found ourselves backstage for their performance on Letterman! That was too cool. The bands' performance (w/the blind boys)was nothing less than "inspirational" and heartfelt. The Blind Boys have been around a long time. And I do mean LONG. They still sound AMAZING! So this night could not have been any better. Except of course, if Mother Turtle was performing! Bus and I met some good people, shared some Mother Turtle Music, had some laughs, got little to no sleep, ran out of cash and headed back to Massachussetts ready to move MOTHER TURTLE. Slow and Steady.

(Mother Turtle- Adam Bergeron-bass, Marsia Shuron-guitar+vocals, Buster B.-drums, Atticus Robbins-guitars)

So, the boys and I are working on mixing down the new record. It’s getting close. I'd like to thank Sean Nolan and Ethan Stone for making the record happen. Sean engineered and Ethan assisted. Sean does lighting for Soulive so if you're going out to a show and see Sean manning the board, tell him Mother Turtle Luvs him! Ethan... is a keyboard player and singer songwriter, with some really great tunes. Make sure to check his band out. They're great!

So, stay Tuned…
Motherturtle.com coming soon, CD and DVD too!

03.04.04

[General] - Marsia - marsia@mshmusic.com @ 11:13:22

The Muse has been whipping me with her songs again. Last week I was accosted and held up in my house for 5 days listening to her musings. I began a song that just wouldn't let go. On the 6th day, I woke up and no longer had the song blaring in my head. I knew the muse was done with me, eventhough the song was not fully completed.

I began to breathe normally again. On that same day, Tuesday, I went to pick up my new guitar which my dear friends so graciously gave to me for my birthday last August (in the form of a gift certificate to Guitar Center). It took me nearly six months to find the right guitar but I finally found it! In my excitement, when I got home, I began to play this new beautiful guitar. Lo and behold, the Muse came crashing in AGAIN! It's now Saturday. For the last 4 days, the Muse has had me under her spell! God I love Her!

The song is partially inspired by Ruth Mendelson showing me a new chord. Thanks Ruth! I am almost done with it and I really like it. I think you'll like it too.

So, If you're wondering where I've been... I'm in the clutches of the Great Muse and will be available ONLY when she says so!

She's so demanding.

See you all soon... hopefully.

M

29.03.04

[General] - Marsia - marsia@mshmusic.com @ 01:17:15

Slavery a Genealogical Challenge

Slavery can be quite a heavy topic. One I’ve spent too little time with. I think every one would prefer to forget it ever happened. The problem is, we must never forget. The world is constantly changing and we along with it. If there is anyone who believes in the future evolution of the human race, it’s me. I am very optimistic about the future. I feel a planetary shift, a change in energy for the Earth that is awakening our consciousness so that we will no longer be able to hide or ignore truths.

I spent some time surfing the web last night, making a feeble attempt to track my family’s genealogy. This of course is quite a challenging task as there are few records (i.e birth certificates, medical records, marriage licenses, death certificates, etc.) of Black people prior to 1850! I read some court documents, which seemingly are some of the best papers to research, as they often include slave names or the names of their slave-owners. As we know, the slaves were stripped of their original names and forced to take on the name of their “Slave-Master.”

I read through several of these documents, finding them all very interesting. Below is a census that I found from the state of Virginia. I especially like that it lists a number of Free slaves, who may or may not be my ancestors but carry my same Slave-name. There was something about reading these names that really "hit home" for me.

It’s true that the world is changing and people are slowly becoming more and more tolerant of others, but are we really Free?

What would it have been like to have been one of the many millions of Black slaves who were kidnapped from their countries, herded onto ships where they lived for weeks on end atop of human excrement and the dead, only to be brought to America and sold at auction; separated from family and cast into a life of often violent suffering? Yeah, what would that have been like? I could tell you right now but I think you already know. To be a slave was to be a human commodity. The Slave trade was big business for a young America and indeed it was responsible for building the wealth of this great nation. It made this country what it is. Scary huh?

This is interesting:

-------------------------------------------------

1860
Eight Census of the United States
Dinwiddie and Lunenburg Counties
Virginia

------------------------------------------------------------------------

I. Petersburg, Dinwiddie County, Virginia
Roll 1389, Volume 2, pages 279-552

A. There were 12, 524 slaves within all wards of the county

B. SLAVE OWNERS- by first or surname

1. Anderson Tucker
2. Abraham Tucker
3. Albert Tucker
4. E. Hinton
5. John Hinton
6. William Hinton
7. Gee
8. WILLIAM HARRIS
9. JAMES HARRIS
10. Robert Bolling
11. David Tucker
12. B.G. Tucker

II. FREE INHABITANTS
Petersburg, Dinwiddie County
Roll 1342, Volume7, pages1-578

A. Three free Hintons

1. Richard Hinton
2. Liander(sp?) Hinton
3. John E. Hinton

Petersburg, Dinwiddie County, Virginia
Roll 1389, Volume 2, pages 279-552

B. Fifty-Nine FREE HARRISES (YAY!)

* The first name on the list is the same as my Grandfather Harris’. I thought that was funny (funny Odd, not ha ha!)

1. John Harris, 99 yrs. old
2. Fannie Harris, 93 yrs. old
3. Sally Harris, 50 yrs. old
4. Frank Harris, 65 yrs. old
5. Jay Harris with Robert Crawford, 19 yrs. old
6. Joseph Harris, 55 yrs. old
7. Cassy Harris, 42 yrs. old
8. Jane Harris, 11 yrs. old
9. Mary A. Harris, 14 yrs. old
10. Lipsy Harris, 10 yrs. old
11. Frances Harris (male), 40 yrs. old
12. Harriet (sp.?) Harris, 39 yrs. old
13. Elenas (sp.?) Harris, 17 yrs. old
14. Margaret J. Harris, 15 yrs. old
15. Rich Harris, 14 yrs. old
16. Gracy Harris, 8 yrs. old
17. John F. Harris, 3 yrs. old
18. Jane Harris, 38 yrs. old
19. Robert harris, 1 or 6 yrs. old
20. William Harris, 5 yrs. old
21. Thomas Harris, 3 yrs. old
22. Thomas Harris, 25 yrs. old
23. Gilbert Harris, 10 yrs. old
24. Julia Harris, 11 yrs. old
25. Wiley Harris, 60 yrs. old
26. Betsy Harris, 48 yrs. old
27. James Harris, 29 yrs. old
28. Margaret Harris, 28 yrs. old
29. James Harris, 8 yrs. old
30. Walthal Harris, 4 yrs. old
31. Elizah Harris, 3 yrs. old
32. William Harris, 27 yrs. old
33. Hilliam(sp.?) Harris, 5 yrs. old
34. Jane Harris, 35 yrs. old
35. William Harris, 12 yrs. old
36. Lavenia Harris, 10 yrs. old
37. Virginia Harris, 8 yrs. old
38. Catherine Harris, 50 yrs. old
39. Lucy Harris, 23 yrs. old
40. Elizabeth Harris, 36 yrs. old
41. George Harris, 10/12 yrs. old
42. Levenia(sp.?) Harris, 12 yrs. old
43. Margaret Harris, 4 yrs. old
44. Rebecca Harris, 7/12 yrs. old
45. Plearant Harris, 60 yrs. old
46. Robert Harris, 63 yrs. old
47. Nancy Harris, 35 yrs. old
48. Robert Harris, 13 yrs. old
49. Mary J. Harris, 12 yrs. old
50. Andrew Harris, 11 yrs. old
51. Harriet Harris, 7 yrs. old
52. Elizabeth Harris, 4 yrs. old
53. Alexander Harris, 2 yrs. old
54. James Harris, 51 yrs. old
55. James Harris, 1 yr. old
56. Frances Harris, 38 yrs. old
57. Sarah Harris, 17 yrs. old
58. William Harris, 19 yrs. old
59. Eliza Harris, 15 yrs. old

26.03.04

More Musings...

[General] - Marsia - marsia@mshmusic.com @ 00:24:03

The Muse has me in her grip again. As much as I love her presence, she can be quite pushy and often very abrupt, penetrating my every thought with her melody and verse. Oh the pain! (o.k, maybe I don't have to be so melodramatic...) but the Muse has me and is not letting go. God I love her!

I suppose I have Mr. Sexton to thank for this one. Whenever I use his guitar, I wind up writing a new song. I wrote "Here" on that Taylor and "Callin' Out" too. I'm sure there's another... Anyway, the guitar has Mojo. Amazing, considering Martin doesn't care for it that much. Funny.

This post has to be short and sweet. I sense the Muse getting a little agitated by my divergence. She's so demanding! It's been 4 days and I can't think of anything else. I've got music running through my brain and mix matched words and images... it's all a big mess. I have come to realize how shizophrenic this whole songwriting process is. If there was a camera on me right now, I'm sure I'd be committed tomorrow! It's driving me crazy... or is my craziness driving me? Hmmm. Lyrics are slow coming. I'll let you know what happens. Maybe the song will be ready to perform by the show with Vance Gilbert. Hmmmm. Dunno.

Stay tuned

12.03.04

Untitled [General] - Marsia - marsia@mshmusic.com @ 22:01:52

The world is a wacky place. I'm doing my best to enjoy this journey, even amongst the chaos. It's a beautiful world and we are in a time of great change. The future is up to all of us.

Here's a little diddy (without the "P") :-)

Strong Women have you heard it?
Sisters do you care?
Our Greater Voice have you learned it?
We're the Mother's of the Land.

Strong Women have you heard it?
Sisters do you care?
Our Greater Voice have you learned it?
We're the Mother's of the Land
Take time grab another Sisters hand.

Do You Love... [General] - Marsia - marsia@mshmusic.com @ 22:00:39

I have to admit...
I DO LOVE HER!

The Process [General] - Marsia - marsia@mshmusic.com @ 21:59:07

THE PROCESS (formerly The Artist-revised)
by M.S.Harris

She wanted to write it all down but her pen couldn't keep up.

"Write faster." she pushed.

Following through she continued, committed to the next word, the next....

She hesitated.

“Where am I going with this?”

“I must keep writing.”

“I’m Ready." she said, and picked up her pen.

Suddenly, Susen sprang up from her chair and walked down the stairs. As she opened the door to her studio, she looked in. She began to study the room as if there before her stood a mirror, a microcosm of her life. Various images and objects, all a representation of past, present and .....

Susen was having a breakthrough.
There was no time to waste.

She heard conversation as she passed her favorite green chair. Her new guitar seemed to be reminding her red leather gloves that, eventhough they are old and well worn, they still can be happy because they are together. Susen knew she was on the brink of something great.

When she picked up the paintbrush, all she new was Blue, Cobalt blue. Rich and thick. She applied the paint, slowly smoothing it across the canvas. Images began to appear. Soon, green arrived, vibrant and golden. Her paintbrush danced across the page and almost in a single breath, life arose from what was once a cold, blank, space. Taking a deep breath, she put down the brush.

“Where is this going?”

She was tired. Thirsty.

"What time is the interview tomorrow? What am I going to say? Do I have anything interesting to talk about? When was the last time I gave an interview?"

Susen took a long deep breath, for a moment she imagined herself, free of her always pervasive questioning. She sat down, closed her eyes and began to drift off into sleep. Floating freely she danced without control, in what seemed to be a very dark hole. She let go and felt a sense of euphoria unlike any drug she'd known. She fell deeper and deeper into the Dream Hole, where she heard River speak, telling her to embrace being an Earth Mother. River encouraged her, "grow into it."

When the sun had fallen below the horizon and night cast a shadowy blue hue across the wooden plank floors, Susen awoke unto a quiet and darkened room. She wanted more but the dream was gone. She would write it all down. Parched, she rose to her feet. As she drank from her cup, new thoughts and images were born. Upstairs, back at her desk, she sat and held her pen with confidence. Grinning she asked,

" Now where was I."

16.01.04

To Dred or not to Dred... [General] - Marsia - marsia@mshmusic.com @ 23:27:03

Today I stood in front of the mirror, once again contemplating the fate of my dredlocks. It seemed like a good time to cut them. Somehow, it felt significant and I really thought, today would be the day that I said goodbye to my locks. However, every time I go to cut my dreds, I am thwarted by something or someone. Once, I actually thought I heard the gentle voice of God speak to me, saying, "Your hair connects you to me." That meant if I cut it..... I had to think about that so... I was foiled again! Today was no different.

I should tell you that I have grown my dreds for the past 12yrs. As you can imagine, they got pretty long. Down to my waist, in fact. I cut 10-12 inches off last year and another 3-4 inches in March. I love having long hair and really don't want short hair but feel it would be spiritually healthy to cut the dreds off and start anew. Another part of me is hoping it will also be helpful in initiating some much needed change in my life. By now, you must be asking, what's all this hoopla about? People cut their hair everyday. Well, I have Dreds. In order to remove them completely, I will have to cut all hair within an inch of my scalp! So, you see, this is a very big deal for me. A drastic change.

After a meditation, where I made peace with the idea of cutting my lovely locks; the phone rang. I told my friend what I was about to do and just like everyone else he screamed, "No, don't do it!" I told him I needed a change and he stopped me dead in my tracks and said, "Change what's inside Marsia and leave your hair alone!" I was floored by this practical but quite profound statement.

Foiled Again, my dreds remain intact...

At least for now.

MORE

22.08.06