Johnny Bullard
Guest Columnist
Time to start planning on that New Year's Day meal. In the Deep South, we traditionally serve blackeyed peas and greens of some sort. Mustard greens are my favorite. Tradition is always rooted in something, and this meal has its roots in a time of deprivation and destruction.
General William Tecumseh Sherman's Federal army made their March in Georgia close to the end of 1864, burning Atlanta and laying waste to much of Georgia. Sherman presented conquered Savannah to President Lincoln as a Christmas gift in 1864.
New Year's Day 1865 was a very desolate one for most of a now humbled and war-torn Georgia. There was very little food that had not been foraged or taken away by Sherman's army. What had been left behind was dried field peas since the Federal army thought dried peas were pretty worthless for anything but livestock, and most of that had been slaughtered or taken by them.
Conquered Georgians soaked dried peas, gathered collards or mustard greens left behind and made a hearty meal for New Year's Day. This meal gave hope to many people and symbolized better luck. Since that time, blackeyed peas and greens have symbolized good luck for many American Southerners. As Paul Harvey stated, "Now you know the rest of the story."
I have friends who are natives of lower Alabama. These friends always put a dime in their potion-blackeyed peas. No one has swallowed it yet, but the person who finds it is said to have "extra good fortune." There are other beliefs or superstitions associated with New Year's Day. Many people believed it was good luck to have a male neighbor or friend, not a member of the family, be the first visitor of the New Year. This was considered good luck by some people.
Others celebrate the New Year with "Watch Night" services at some churches. Many times these services include songs, sermons and prayer. Oftentimes, a fellowship meal is served in conjunction with the services. No matter the traditions or practices you embrace to celebrate the New Year, here's wishing you a happy, healthy and blessed New Year.
From the Eight Mile Still on the Woodpecker Route north of White Springs, wishing you a happy New Year.