Comments on: Yes, Virginia, I am a vegetarian.

By: Kirsten

Kirsten — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 20:12:46 +0000

Will very recently had much the same reactions from his uber Southern parents as well. It’s funny, because we likened it to “coming out” too. But even more specifically. . .I believe the mental conversation between his parents went a little like this:
As the daggers shot from his mother’s eyes, his father’s look in response said, “He’s my dog, ma, I’ll shoot him” as he reached for a shotgun.
He literally didn’t speak to him the rest of the day. And how happy am I to have one more thing his dad can blame on me!
But seriously, I think this is the first time I’ve actually taken the time to read an entire entry on your blog, and what time well spent! At the risk of sounding like I’m gushing, I will say there was so much there that I related to. Job well done, sir.

May your travels bring you peace and happiness.

(What can I say, massage school has taken me one step closer to borderline obnoxious hippy-ness. . .)

By: The Clever Kris

The Clever Kris — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:37:41 +0000

I shall take your words to heart. Thank you: both for the humor of your response and for its forwardness. I love it. And I look forward to checking out your blog, as well.

By: Jezebella

Jezebella — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:13:34 +0000

They will, eventually, when you do not back down, shut up about your not eating meat. There will be subtle little eye-rolls and the occasional muttered comment, even twenty years on, but they’ll stop bullying you about what you eat sooner or later. I speak from experience, and my people – my New Orleans people, who think shrimp is a sacrament and crawfish as necessary as oxygen – eventually stopped getting up my nose about what I eat. I stopped taking the “why are you a vegetarian?” bait after a while, because you know what? They’re looking for an argument. And it’s none of anybody’s damn business what I do or do not eat. Try telling them it’s a free country and you’ll eat what you want. Tell them the Bible forbids sausage and pork ribs and ham sammiches. Or just roll your eyes and keep making tasty hummus dips and confusing them with delicious veggie food.

It is really hard – no, impossible – to live without using resources. Do not fret about the imperfection of your conscious lifestyle. But it is possible to minimize one’s use, to live cruelty-free as much as possible, and to do what one feels is the right thing to do.

By: The Clever Kris

The Clever Kris — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:11:54 +0000

Thank you for reading my blog! I’m glad you enjoyed this one…and despite the way it sometimes comes across, I love the South too. For Christmas, I was tasked with making dips and various other snacks. I made meatless versions of two, said not one word about it, and they ate every last bite. That still tickles me.

By: jacqui

jacqui — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 20:39:58 +0000

I extremely enjoyed this. Oh, families made up of preciously aging Southern Baptists, bless their hearts. This same thing would happen with my extended family if I made this announcement. And when told that I “really don’t cook with meat that often,” my mom and dad gave each other a look and then changed the subject. =) I do love the south.

By: kat

kat — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 01:48:08 +0000

Loved this one for very personal reasons!