Discovering Our Superpowers

Every morning, no matter how late I stayed up the night before, I awake around 4:30 - 5:00 am.  I read my morning papers online.  They consist of the Washington Post, New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, The Guardian, and on occasion a few columns from The Huffington Post and/or Buzzfeed.  I emerge from my bedroom around 8:00 - 8:30 am to write or paint or do my morning workout before I engage with another human.  Today, I decided to write.  The pain of not having anything to share for the new year was weighing on my mind for some reason.  Feeling somewhat grateful to have survived 2020, I needed to say something about the start of 2021.  I've decided that in this new year, I will think and act like I am in the plot of a pop-culture hero adventure as I uncover my superpowers.

A SUPERPOWER in popular culture defined as the imaginary superhuman abilities that a multitude of videogames, science fiction television, and comic book characters possess.  Their superhuman attributes are often the focus of plots for most of the adventure stories.  Some Super Villain is always trying to steal, replicate, or control the superpower of our Hero/Shero.  

When my son was much younger, he and I would attend every weekend opening of the latest Super Hero blockbuster movie.  More times than I care to remember, I simply justified our matinee movie date as my $25 nap.  During our drive home from the theater, I always asked my son, "What was your favorite part of the movie?"  He'd always reply with something completely innocent and adorable then ask me, "If you could choose to have a superpower, what would it be?"   I can't remember any answer that I ever gave him.  Back then, my only goal was to maintain the easiness that we shared whenever we were together.  Coparenting is difficult on its own, but marry that with the remains of a soured relationship, and the situation can be extremely painful.  Forgive me if I sound arrogant, but much like a Super Hero, I was never afraid of any villainous encounter.  As a young mother, I thought that my Superpower was being prepared to take on any challenge that I was handed.  To this day, I tell myself that, "I am a descendant of the STRONGEST OF THE STRONG",  each time I am faced with a foe.  Fear be damned!

But when I look back at 2020, I suddenly realized that collectively, we all have Superpowers.  Much like the 90% of our unused brain cells, most of us simply have to activate our dormant superhuman powers to propel us to a triumph.  Today I discovered the true superpower of much of the population.  PERSEVERANCE is our collective and individual superpower.  I have witnessed both the young and old display amazing steadfastness.  I am honestly humbled by the spirit of a person who just keeps moving.  In spite of the grim circumstances, so many are cheerful, kind, unyielding, giving, loving, supportive, and faithful.  We have lost some battles, but the war is ours to lose.  We will regain our footing.   Much like the bravest of the brave, we who have uncovered our superpowers will always be equipped with our mask and shield and return victorious. 

New Years Hoppin’ John 

Ingredients

1 cup dried black-eyed peas or field peas

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 smoked hog jowl, or 1/4 pound (3 strips bacon) or 1 smoked turkey leg

6-8 cups of low sodium chicken stock

1 medium onion, coarsely chopped

1 clove garlic

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon Tabasco Sauce

5 or 6 peeled whole Roma tomatoes or 14 ounce can drained (optional)

1 1/2 cups uncooked rice

Instructions

Wash the peas in a strainer, and soak them for 4 hours in ample fresh water. When ready, heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a 4 quart stock pot. Brown the hog jowl on both sides. If using bacon, omit the olive oil, and simply render the fat in the pot for 5 minutes. Add onion, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add 6 cups of low sodium chicken stock and black pepper, red pepper and salt. Bring to a boil.

Let mixture boil 15 minutes, and then add peas. Maintain low boil, uncovered. (Cook peas for 25 minutes for black-eyed peas, or 30 minutes for field peas.) In a bowl, lightly crush tomatoes, and add to pot. Add rice to pot, reduce heat to low and simmer covered for 20 minutes.

Turn off flame, and allow hoppin' John to steam in the pot with the lid on the pot for 5 minutes. If using jowl, remove from pot, and shred meat. Fluff hoppin' John, then add shredded jowl if desired. You may add collard greens or kale to add texture to the dish. Enjoy!