Almost winning the lottery and lucky black-eyed peas

        Did you see the post on the Iowa Lottery Facebook page about the Newton man, Daniel Bragg, who won $150,000 in the $10 Money Gift scratch ticket?
      According to the Iowa Lottery story, Bragg drove his 2001 Chevrolet Suburban with 849,000 miles through a snow storm to collect his winning prize. His first thought when he realized he had won was getting a new vehicle.
       I’ve heard of vehicles with 300,000 plus miles, but not 849,000 miles. He got his money out of that vehicle and it looks like he has enough money to buy a new pickup truck.
        The Iowa Lottery Facebook page is filled with stories of winners from all across the state. 
       I’ve bought numerous lottery scratcher tickets through the years and the most I’ve won is $50 several times. Debbie once won $200 on an Iowa State Fair scratch ticket some years ago that we bought at the Montezuma Super Valu. It provided extra spending money for our annual trip to the Iowa State Fair.
       Santa always leaves us a host of Christmas lottery tickets in our stockings each year. Most years we win a few dollars, but not much more. It seems one year that I won $25. This year, I won $15 and Debbie didn’t win anything.
     And I’ve bought numerous Powerball, Mega Million, Lotto America and Lucky for Life tickets through the years, and the most I’ve won is $7 or $8.
       I once found a handful of lottery tickets in a local grocery store parking lot. I picked them up and ended up winning a few dollars on one that hadn’t been scratched.
       And each month I receive a free scratcher ticket or lotto ticket from the Iowa Lottery that comes via email. I won $4 in November and I think that is the most all year.
      It’s amazing what one can spend on lottery tickets. The most that I have spent on a single lottery ticket is $10, but nothing more. You can spend up to $50 on a scratcher ticket these days. Currently the Iowa Lottery offers one $50 scratcher ticket, two $30 tickets, four $20 tickets, 13 $10 tickets, 14 $5 tickets, 11 $3 tickets, 20 $2 tickets and seven $1 tickets.
      The lottery has become big business in recent years. Some years ago, a scratcher ticket was $1, $2 or $3. I would pick up one or two tickets now and then, spending a few dollars, but I can’t imagine spending $30 or even $50 for a winning chance.
     I think it might be better to give that money to the local food pantry or outreach that helps others. I think the funds would be better spent than on a lottery ticket. I’m sure I will still buy one or two this coming year.
Black-eyed peas
      Growing up in the south, a tradition in my boyhood home and many southern homes is eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day.
       My mom always said that eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day would bring good luck and prosperity in the new year.
      She’d purchased dried black-eyed peas in a bag and would soak them in water overnight. She sometimes would add a piece of ham for flavoring while they stewed on the stove.
      It’s hard to beat a bowl of black-eyed peas. They go good with anything from hamburgers to a chicken fried steak.
      Some folks in the south eat collard greens with their black-eyed peas. I don’t remember eating collard greens, but I do remember eating cornbread with my black-eyed peas on occasion. My dad loved fresh onions out of the garden with anything he ate. One of his favorite afternoon snacks was wilted lettuce from the garden with hot bacon grease poured over the top along with fresh onions.
     I buy black-eye peas in a can these days and cook them for supper. Debbie doesn’t care for black-eyed peas, so when I want a can, I will cook her English peas. It works well for both of us.
        The internet is filled with all kinds of reasons that black-eyed peas bring luck. One article noted that black-eyed peas symbolize the eye of God. Another stated that black-eyed peas given to the poor will inspire them to survive and thrive.
       Another article stated that the best chance of luck every day in the year ahead, is one must eat at least 365 black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day. That’s a lot of black-eyed peas. Another article stated that black-eyed peas eaten with stewed tomatoes represent wealth and health. 
      I found another story that noted that black-eyed peas are a good source of fiber and protein and that they contain important nutrients such as vitamins A and K, calcium and iron.
     “Adding them to your diet can help with weight and blood-sugar management while lowering your cholesterol,” noted the article.
     I can’t point to any one thing or tradition in my life that has brought me luck as each day is a blessing from God and an opportunity to do great things in this world. It’s something I don’t take for granted.
      But as I do most years, I kicked off 2025 with some black-eyed peas and hamburgers baked in the oven with mushroom soup. I should have made some cornbread to go along with the meal. Top the cornbread off with a slice of butter and that is good eating. 
       Have a great week and always remember that “Good Things are Happening,” every day.