Black-eyed peas or the hair of the dog/

I will make hog jowls for breakfast, and have black eyed peas, cabbage, and corned beef for supper. Then, like you, me and my wife will hang out and watch movies all day. Then of course watch the ball drop.

My church (First UMC) has a game and movie night followed by a Wesleyan Covenant Service -- but it's all over by 10 p.m. or so, so I guess I'll go home and watch the ball drop on TV.

As I told Mary here in the newsroom, I really miss the days when my father was pastor of a church in the northern part of the county and the members of the church -- although not as an "official" church activity -- would get together every year and play Rook all evening. Then, at midnight, we'd sign "Auld Lang Syne" and get in the car and drive to Shoney's in Murfreesboro for breakfast.

One year, when the Shoney's was still located right on the Interstate at exit 81 (where a Chinese restaurant is now), they had a new manager, who figured he wouldn't have any customers on New Year's Eve. So he was running a skeleton crew composed of himself, a fry cook and one waitress, seven months pregnant. Our crew -- 30 o4 40 in number -- arrived at the restaurant, and we were far from the only ones there. They got quite a workout that night!

While my parents were alive, I would watch the time intensely, (no matter where I was) to be the VERY first to call them on the New Year. I found out later that my siblings would purposely delay their call to make sure I had time to be "first".

Traditional food some time during the day of January 1st is black-eyed peas, boiled potatoes, and pickled herring. The peas and potatoes were to remind us of lean times and the herring was a luxury during the depression so my parents used that as a way to signify prosperity for the future.

We have not gone out for New Years for a long time. Now-a-days, I am usually the last the stay awake for the ball drop. Oh well.

I grew up in the North and we have pork roast, sauerkraut and mashed potatoes. We will rent some movies and then we will watch the ball drop in Times Square.

!!!!!!! Hog Jowl and Black Eye Peas !!!!!!!

This is a tradition that you must be a part of.. New Year's Day feast of black-eyed peas and collard greens. Both are thought to bring a year filled with prosperity. Some think the black-eyed peas represent copper--pennies, specifically. So, for truly good fortune in the new year, be sure to eat 365 black-eyed peas (the only way to get a whole year's worth of good luck).Real Bedford Countians sutherners choose collards for their New Year's Day meal. Others round out the meal with cabbage. Either way, the piles of uncooked leafy greens, if looked at the right way and in the right light, look a bit like a pile of money.

You won't need much more--some cornbread, perhaps, or a little pork if you're feeling fancy (or if your ham hock is generous enough).

And a large cold glass of sweet tea nothing else said. What a great way to start a New Year.

Have a happy and prosperous 2008!