Tradition: 3 decades of ham and black-eyed peas

In our family, we're continuing a 3 decades-old tradition tonight: Celebrating the arrival of the new year with a simple dish that we've typically associated with good luck. It has become so entrenched as family tradition that my wife jokes that we'll tempt bad fortune if we fail to continue. It is a little like the baseball player who suits up before the game by putting the right sock on first, followed by the left, hoping to curry favor with fate. 

How did it start? Some 30 years ago, when I was working in Dallas, my colleagues (Amanda Barnett, Jim Ribble and the late Brad Krohn at the Texas AP Network) were talking about the southern New Year's tradition of making ham and black-eyed peas. As a transplant knowing virtually nothing about it, but as one who likes to cook, I thought I'd give it a try. Jeanne, my soon-to-be fiance would be visiting, along with my dad and a beloved family friend, Bobbie Needham from my hometown of Coffeyville). The since-defunct Dallas Times carried a recipe ahead of the holiday that looked pretty easy. It was easy and we had a nice celebration. I would have never suspected that this would become a tradition which would last for years.

Fast forward to the present. Looking back on all of the years which have passed, I know I've been blessed with good luck. Sometimes it is the simple family traditions that we savor the most. They help us stay connected as family members while bridging the past, present and future. 

3 different kinds of pork is ideal for this recipe: Ham, bacon and pancetta

As for the latest iteration of my recipe, it includes bacon, chopped ham and pancetta.  I brown some onion and celery in a stock pot, add chicken/vegetable stock or broth, pour in several bags of frozen black-eyed peas and bring to a boil. I'll add chopped cooked ham, diced tomatoes (or tomato sauce)  barley, parsley, cumin, salt, pepper and garlic. (Ham on the bone is best if you have time on your side). 

Depending on the tastes of our guests, I'll add tabasco or another kind of hot sauce. It seems to simmer for 2 or 3 hours for all of the flavors to blend together. Finally, I'll serve with cornbread or sourdough bread.

Truthfully, one can't say that continuing the tradition brings good luck. In fact, it might be that we have it backwards: It is a sign of our good fortune that we can continue to enjoy the company of family and friends keeping old traditions alive.  Happy new year everyone!

Unsocial media and American politics

In social media, there's screaming but no sound. Welcome to politics in the new millennium.

We still have months to go before the November election, but it seems like we're in extra innings already, doesn't it? Extra innings with opposing fans, shouting on either side of us. But here, the game doesn't stop when something is thrown onto the field.

Much of the campaign rhetoric is tiresome given the (unprecedented in our lifetimes) nature of the candidate exchanges. If the rise of Donald Trump's campaign is, as a smart friend of mine believes, a function of social media as F.D.R. was to radio and J.F.K. to television, then maybe it makes some kind of sense that places like Twitter and Facebook become the dumping ground for the good and bad observations among those who will help decide on our next iteration of leadership.

It reminds me of the promotion campaign for the 1979 movie "Alien."

Poster from 1979 movie hit "Alien"

"In space, no one can hear you scream"
Just change the word "social media" for "space."

Opposing forces compete

At the same time, like the candidates, the president and members of Congress, so many of us are talking past one another. It is the political equivalent of group therapy without any healing. Hey, I feel better, but I don't care about you. Not the way a civil society works. But apparently plenty of folks think civility isn't a priority these days. It is true of participants on both Facebook and Twitter, but a smaller cross-section of the population Tweets. (Last check the stock market valued Twitter at $12 billion and Facebook at $300 billion, for example).

Having said all of that, I offer my estimate of how many Facebook posts are faring these days (those with political themes)

% of people who post political things on Facebook: 25
% of people who convert others to their way of thinking: 0.0 (Donald Trump himself is statistically insignificant)
% of people who aggravate others with their political posts: 67.9
% of people who aggravate others, but feel better somehow for doing it 65.9
% of time wasted by posting political items to FB: 99.6. (doesn't include journalists or political pros who are looking to get traffic for content or get out the vote/fundraise).
% effectiveness of all candidates in helping to drive the divisive behavior 100%

If there's any good news here, it is that people are participating in the democracy. It beats open warfare in the street. At least we have that going for us.

Follow me on Twitter: @Hamrickisms