Bookish Eclectic

 Wow, I really suck at blogging, or at least I did last year. I will not say that 2023 was bad, but I will say that a lot changed, and I did not do a good job of taking care of myself. My mother-in-law passed away, bringing a lot of new lessons and decisions for my significant other and me. My master's program was difficult and challenging in the best of ways. We had a new school librarian that I could learn from. I kept dancing as my troupe attempted to become a little more professional. I did not do a lot of crafting or creating. I struggled through the school year, but I did my best to support my students and gracefully (gracefully?) address school politics when they challenged my own moral compass. There are many quotes about 2023 being about surviving, and they really speak to how last year went. Writing was not one of my major concerns since I was doing so much with ECU, but here we are, starting fresh again in a new year. Neil DeGrasse Tyson shared a TikTok (find...

     In the mountains of North Carolina, the first day of the New Year requires a particular meal if one wants a good year moving forward. Greens (mixed or collard depending on your family) represent dollars. Black-eyed peas represent coins. Cornbread represents gold, and pork represents other forms of luck and health. I typically go the easy route and get canned vegetables and pre-baked ham. The cornbread is such a staple that it doesn't feel like work.     It was my Nanny who introduced this tradition to me. I know it is common throughout my county because finding any of the ingredients on the day of New Year's is nearly impossible. In fact, I met and had great conversations with two older ladies in the store today just because I helped one find fresh collards (she has more gumption today than I do) and the other find black-eyed peas.      Where do these traditions come from, and why do we pay lip service to them? I enjoy the food tr...