Tennis shoes? I did not have any shoes until I could get a job in the local pool hall as a rack, which introduced me to pool hustling and 10% of the take off of 10 tables. Tender yet savvy age of 14. Sign of a mispent childhood, I know.
So, instead of the dried blackeyes, you could go with fresh frozen and be able to skip the step of soaking but, wash them off anyway, I say. Bush's Best Beans, and maybe another brand do a black eye in a can. Watch what you are getting though cause some are already seasoned. As for the juice in the can sometime loaded with sodium, this can be dumped and peas rinsed off. Seasoning from smoked ham,pork desired for the beans. White rice preferred for the traditional, but this is not sacred. And then the fresh pork, smoked ham. Pepper cornbread and deserts of your choice, of course.
Old traditions die hard!
Edit: I was lying about the shoes.