My fourth Philosopher’s Lunch Table of this year was this past Saturday, December 13. I chose to celebrate Stone Soup in my talk—the place embodies every single topic of my book The Philosopher’s Table: The community that comes with breaking bread, persistence and grace, learning through conversation, love, simple pleasures, ecological mindfulness, embracing change and daring, good decision-making…the beat goes on. Stone Soup is a haven. Roam the streets of Paris and lively chatter wafts through the doors of “café-philos,” eateries guaranteeing philosophical discussions over breakfast and/or lunch. Ideas matter. Communication matters. Soulful invigoration fuels like a chocolate croissant. A small town in the Central Virginia Valley has for a bit longer its very own such spot for convivial, comfortable conversation. Saturday I arrived at 11:30 and left with the last dining philosophers at 4:30. I’ve never seen a closing business bustling with cheerful patrons and eager employees.
Read MoreReading the news requires stamina. Some stories leave me speechless, for awhile, stunned by the language used, our priorities, or our comfortable blinders. But the absurdity surrounding Adrian Peterson’s beating of his four-year-old son stands out. Alarms sound.
Read MoreParenting! A wild and wonderful ride full of ups and downs, ins and outs and a whole lot of trial and error. Chances are it always has been. And, we live in a time like never before. More technology, more access to the world at large, seemingly more choices about education and nutrition and activities and on and on.
Read MoreThe Roanoke Times ran the op-ed that I shared with you earlier this week through my blog on Hannah Graham.
Read MoreI didn’t know Hannah Graham. I do not know Jesse Matthew. I do not know what happened after he caught up with her that night. I live in Charlottesville. I do know the downtown mall and the businesses and houses along Hannah’s route from the area around the University Virginia towards her final stop that night. One persistent, troubling question has nagged me since her disappearance. Why did no one take responsibility for her that night? Why no responsibility taken for the actions of Jesse Matthew, described by many downtown restaurant employees as a nighttime fixture, known for his aggression towards young women?
Read MoreHow uncommonly fortunate I am to have called the house pictured here home for 55 years. Somehow this simple dwelling, resting atop a hill on a quiet dead-end street, offered a home to all who swung open the back gate. Generations counted on the music of the unlocked kitchen door’s jingling sleigh bells accompanied by barks of happy dogs. Every time. Across time and place, memories stitch all of us together.
Read MoreMarietta McCarty's Fall 2014 newsletter includes summer highlights, information on Marietta's Newsmaker 2014 award announcement, upcoming events, two blogs, and more.
Read MoreWe considered the truth about education and success together. In The Philosopher’s Table I write: “The root of education suggests a process of bringing forward, leading up, drawing out. I picture individuals climbing a steep hill together, teachers and students in spry pursuit of knowledge. The word conveys positive images, this movement forward, up, and out so we can stand on higher ground.” We took off from this small start. I asked that they think back on a powerful learning experience in their lives, in or out of the classroom, what they learned and why it remains memorable. Interestingly, one common theme emerged: failure taught marvelous lessons. Not knowing knocks on the door of knowledge. Loss gives birth to victory. As the school year plays out, thoughts hopefully will return to the meaning of teacher, of student, of education.
Read MoreVirginia Professional Communicators - the former Virginia Press Women - has selected Virginia author and philosopher, Marietta McCarty, as its Newsmaker 2014.
Read MoreIt must have been hard for my father to dash my eight-year-old dreams, his voice quivery as he assured me that I would not grow up to play second base for the Yankees. He replaced (or tried) my bat and glove with a tennis racquet, and we set out together to hit another kind of ball. But I still have my glove just in case. I'm a baseball fan.
Read MoreMarietta McCarty's Summer 2014 newsletter includes a snapshot of The Philosopher's Table coming to life at a dinner party, upcoming events, a snapshot of upcoming private events, and two blog posts.
Read MoreHersch finds much to admire in Whitman’s work and spirit, and he composes a score to match Whitman’s “Song of the Universal” as well as excerpts from “Song of Myself.” What a thrill, imagining the union of “myself” and the “universal,” a union deeply felt by Whitman and intimately scored by Hersch. These two lives—brave, compassionate, daring, inclusive, resilient—and and their art speak to the promise of this country. Their “collaboration” soars and inspires.
Read MoreThen, in 1993, Maya Angelou stole Michael Jordan’s star power. I happily picture the young philosophers as they watched rebroadcasts of her reciting her poem “On the Pulse of Morning” at the Clinton Inauguration—their eyes wide, bodies completely still, posture growing more erect, big smiles when she included “children” in her invitation to a new day. A rocking celebrity poet! Dr. Angelou was the cool one now. I repeatedly used her poem to discuss the concept of Justice with them and I also suggest an activity based on it in Little Big Minds. Quite a delight it was to witness the children’s first tiptoes into poetry—from Virginia to Chicago to California.
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four-legged Luna / watches her namesake show off / best moon pie dog treat. The wind hints at rain so we see grandpa off and head for home, its windows “brazen in the setting sun.” pansy faces wink / as four Beatles sing their song / “I Want to Hold Your Hand”