First-footing

Like most Southern Scots during the depression years, Grampy Norris was highly superstituous; she believed in first-footing on New Year's Day, and it was strictly enforced in her home.  No one, especially females, was allowed to enter her home until my mother's brother, Uncle Ancel, arrived from Greensboro, N.C.  It was always my Uncle's duty to be the first to cross Grampy's threshhold on New Year's Day before the rest of the family was allowed to enter her home. Instead of a lump of coal, which was the old Scottish way, Uncle Ancel would enter the house bearing gifts of a Claxton fruit cake (which she had just given him for Christmas!) and a bottle of Wild Turkey for Norris, my grandfather!  As a young girl, I always thought it was so unfair to be forced to wait outside until my Uncle arrived, but my cousins, Linda Kay and Judy (Ancel's daughters), my younger brother, Lacy, and myself would find ways to entertain ourselves.  Grampy and Norris would cook the finest meal for New Year's Day.  My Mom would prepare the stuffed pork chops at home before taking them to Grampy's house for New Years, but the rest of the meal went something like this:  Collard greens (folded money) seasoned with ham and hot pepper (Norris grew several varieties of hot peppers by the back door steps); black-eyed peas (coins) seasoned with fatback and ham; rack of pork chops (wealth and prosperity) stuffed with cornbread dressing; rice (luck); cornbread in the black skillet (good health), tea (pure Southern) and a round Upside-Down Peach Cake (new beginnings).  The grandchildren knew it was our job to clean the table after these meals, and we would jump at the chance to clean up.  Why?  ...because the grownups were served a nice white wine, champagne or sherry with their meal, and as kids, we thought we were so smart and sneaky by sipping the left overs as we carried the plates into the kitchen! These traditions continue in our families today.  I still prepare the same New Year's dinner, and my brother takes logs of Claxton fruit cake to the parents of his friends!