I try really hard not to use the word “hate.” Sometimes it slips in (e.g., “I hate Brussels sprouts”). I never thought I’d have to worry about hurting the feelings of Brussels sprouts because I was pretty sure none read my LJ.
I also rarely use the word “hate” in conversation, though I did hear it leave my mouth a few times about the townhouses on our block.
I say “hate” and write “hate” so infrequently because it’s not a feeling that’s all that familiar to me, much the same way I don’t say “go to hell” because if I believed such a place existed, why would I ever want anyone to go there?
One thing I know. I have NEVER said I hated anyone who reads this LJ or has been friended by me on here. I hope to never hear that word attributed to me again. That’s unacceptable.
Thank you.
Now, just in case there are some literate Brussels sprouts with an Internet connection:
To a Brussels sprout
Oh, cruciferous sprout
How I have maligned thee
I, the ignorant lout
Who valued not your Vitamin C
With legions of beta carotene
And Vitamin K so plucky
Your indoles always on the scene
Making cancer cells unlucky
With your fiber and your folate
And your rich potassium
I say you and I shall make a date
Brussels sprouts–must eat me some!
Photo used without permission from lesliebeck.com, a fine way to treat a site that gave me all that information about Brussels sprouts.
Despite the fact that my mother is actually from Brussels, I do not like the sprouts. It’s one of three things I refuse to eat.
No one who truly knows you would ever think you could actually hate someone. Well, someone who wasn’t, say, Hitler.
And Bin Laden. Not a fan of his work, either.
Of course, I must know: What are the other two things?
” What are the other two things?”
Oooh, Oooh, I know! Strawberries and licorice. 🙂 What do I win, honey?!
What about strawberry licorice?
Actually? I have eaten strawberries on occasion. Sliced or chopped. BUT, you did get it half right. Pick your prize. 😉
Well…depends on which Bin Laden. I hear his 3rd cousin, Melvin Bin Laden is a helluva paint by number artist.
Other things I will not eat. Cauliflower and anything that tastes like licorice.
personally, i love brussel sprouts.
jen really doesn’t enjoy (possibly hates) them. esp. when i cook them since their smell isn’t that terrific. but also because once when she was little, she cut into one and bugs crawled out.
bugs crawled out
Yeah, that’d do it.
I commend you for your love of the sprouts!
It isn’t the sprouts themselves, it’s the — um —
impact they have on the digestive system.
Monty Python, brainstorming for a pejorative term
for Belgians (don’t ask why!) — “Sprouts.”
::giggle::
Personally, I love me some sprouts.
And no one who actually knew you, on any level, would ever think you could hate anyone, except for monsters like the ones you mentioned.
That just ain’t Becks.
Me, on the other hand….
Your user pics are truly sinister.
Baby Jane was just misunderstood.
Ha! I second that!
I love brussels sprouts!
How do you feel about okra?
Love it. All green vegggies, actually.
i had to read To A Brussels Sprout 3 times before my brain registered “cruciferous” instead of “cancerous.”
I’m sure such a moving and tender ode only improves on rereading, no? 😉
Kinda like battering and frying something makes it taste great, put enough butter and salt on brussel sprouts, and they’re great, too.
I want to believe you but… I don’t.
I never thought of doing that before…maybe Bob will eat them that way.
He doesn’t like the smell of them, either.
They reek.
Actually, Brussels sprouts is a misnomer since all sprouts in this country are born and bred US. citizen veggies. But on behalf of all sprouts and sprout lovers I accept your poetic apology. Now I have to quick run and put that package of sprouts back in the freezer. BTW, I also love OKRA, especially in my Campbell’s Chicken Gumbo Soup.
I don’t care where they grew up. They’re nasty.
I fixed mine for diner tonight. YUM!
I love brussels sprouts. I even loved them as a child. I also loved spinach as a child.
Clearly, I was a sick, demented child. Which explains a lot.
It’s probably the reason you are a writer today. On the night you win your first Lammy, promise you will thank the Brussels sprouts. It’s only right.
Mmm, when we were children, our mother always instilled into us “You don’t hate anyone – you might dislike them or disagree with them, but there’s no reason to hate” and I never forgot it, so I always find I can’t even type the word very easily, much less say it!
However, every Christmas there’s the inevitable argument about Brussels Sprouts, when the conclusion always seems to be that there is absolutely no ‘middle road’ – you either love them or you hate them!!!
Poor things . . . what have they ever done to us??
Brilliant poem, though!!
Thank you!
Are you telling me that you had to…eat…Brussels sprouts… on CHRISTMAS? What sadist came up with that plan?
Hee hee! Yes, it’s a great British Tradition!!