The practice of eating black-eyed peas for luck on New Year’s Day is believed to date back to the Civil War. General Sherman’s troops ignored the crops of peas because they were thought to be food for livestock. The other crops were burned or stolen, but the lowly black-eyed peas were left. Therefore, in the South, the peas are believed to be lucky and bring luck for the coming year.
Some say that for the best chance of good luck, one must eat 365 black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day. That’s a lot of peas. Then there’s the tradition of adding a penny to the pot of peas with the person getting the penny in their bowl having the most luck. Unless they choke on the penny of course.
And, I did not know until this year, that one is supposed to have cabbage with your black-eyed peas. It seems the cabbage leaves resemble money and will bring prosperity. I’m not talking any chances so I will have a whole head of cabbage to go with my 365 peas. It may be a good idea to avoid me for a few days.
What your are asking does any of this have to do with the title of this post? Nothing. Except we went to lunch today (New Year's Day) at a Chinese restaurant. Get it?
Never mind.
PMO
©2016
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