Skip to content
Close Menu

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    Most Viewed

    The Old Farmer’s Almanac Has Spoken on Mississippi’s Fall Forecast

    July 25, 2025

    Old Sayings Say It Best

    May 22, 2024

    Actor Jeremy London Calls Mississippi Home

    August 1, 2024

    The Julep Room: A Hole in the Wall with History

    January 8, 2024
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Wednesday, April 29, 2026
    Trending
    • From New Mom to Cancer Survivor: A Mississippi Woman’s Fight to Be Heard
    • A Coastline Full of Flavor: Where to Eat Along Mississippi’s Gulf Coast
    • Lucedale Plans Mountain Bike Park on 60-acre Site
    • Bay St. Louis Library Hosts Community Baby Shower May 7
    • Mississippi State Interior Design Seniors to Showcase Work
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube TikTok
    Login
    Our Mississippi HomeOur Mississippi Home
    • Living

      A Coastline Full of Flavor: Where to Eat Along Mississippi’s Gulf Coast

      April 28, 2026

      Lucedale Plans Mountain Bike Park on 60-acre Site

      April 28, 2026

      Help Create a Bird-Friendly Oasis in Mississippi

      April 24, 2026

      Azaleas, Linen, and a Little Extra: Mississippi Spring Style Is Back

      April 22, 2026

      Kids Markets Eyes Southeast Mississippi Expansion

      April 17, 2026
    • Arts / Culture

      Mississippi State Interior Design Seniors to Showcase Work

      April 27, 2026

      A Week of Music at Southern Miss: Free Concert Series Showcases Student Talent and Special Guests

      April 22, 2026

      MSU’s T.K. Martin Center Hosts Express Yourself! Art Auction in May

      April 21, 2026

      A Weekend of Music Comes to Brookhaven

      April 16, 2026

      A League Where Everyone Gets to Play: Miracle League of McComb

      April 16, 2026
    • Entertainment

      Nearly Sold Out: Air Supply 50th Anniversary Coming to MSU Riley Center

      April 17, 2026

      The Forrest County Fair will return to Hattiesburg beginning April 17

      April 13, 2026

      Sip, Stroll, and Stay Awhile in Ocean Springs

      April 8, 2026

      First Concert Coming to Sumrall’s Beam Park Amphitheater on April 11

      April 7, 2026

      Eaglepalooza Returns to Downtown Hattiesburg April 24 with Headliner Houndmouth

      March 25, 2026
    • Food & Dining

      A Coastline Full of Flavor: Where to Eat Along Mississippi’s Gulf Coast

      April 28, 2026

      Sip, Stroll, and Stay Awhile in Ocean Springs

      April 8, 2026

      From Sound to Shell: The Story of Mississippi Oysters

      March 29, 2026

      From Hard Times to Po-Boys: The Flavors of Old Biloxi

      March 22, 2026

      Mississippi Pot Roast: The Slow Cooker Recipe That Took the Internet (and Our Kitchens) by Storm

      March 15, 2026
    • Environment

      Those Birds Under the Bridge

      April 25, 2026

      Help Create a Bird-Friendly Oasis in Mississippi

      April 24, 2026

      A Bream By Any Other Name, Still Smells Like A Fish

      April 14, 2026

      Lyreleaf Sage – Adding a Blue Splash of Color in Spring

      April 11, 2026

      Menhaden Season Brings the Scents and Sounds of Summer on the Coast

      April 3, 2026
    • Lagniappe
      • Business
      • Sports
      • Education
      • Health & Wellness
      • OurMSVoices
      • People
    Subscribe
    Our Mississippi HomeOur Mississippi Home
    Home»Environment»The Gift of the Outdoors: A Twelve-Day Nature Celebration
    Environment Qu’est Que C’est

    The Gift of the Outdoors: A Twelve-Day Nature Celebration

    Mark W. LaSalle, Ph.D.By Mark W. LaSalle, Ph.D.December 25, 2024Updated:December 24, 20252 Mins Read15 Views
    Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Reddit Telegram Email
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email Copy Link

    Recycling a good story is a good thing, right? Well, I think so, and this story from Christmas Past is worth repeating. The theme remains, with some new twists, if you are adventurous – why mess with perfection? This challenge begins on Christmas Day. Yes, the twelve days begin on Christmas Day (when Christ was born) and end on the Epiphany in the Christmas tradition (when the Magi visited the newborn Jesus). Try to keep up!

    On the First Day of Christmas, go outside and hug a tree (or climb it if you dare – have 911 ready on speed dial)

    On the Second Day of Christmas, find two mourning doves (any dove will do)

    On the Third Day of Christmas, look up the French name for hen (or the language of your choice)

    On the Fourth Day of Christmas, stop and listen for calling birds (four different kinds, please)

    On the Fifth Day of Christmas, collect Fiveeeeeeeeee Gol-dennn Leavesssssss

    On the Sixth Day of Christmas, find children playing – outside!!! (grands are the best)

    On the Seventh Day of Christmas, find a bird that’s swimming (or walking along the bank)

    On the Eighth Day of Christmas, find eight kinds of plants in a minute (OK, this year you get 60 seconds)

    On the Ninth Day of Christmas, watch a squirrel that’s prancing (or join in)

    On the Tenth Day of Christmas, find a log and leap it (sitting on the log is acceptable)

    On the Eleventh Day of Christmas, whistle while walking in the woods (loudly)

    On the Twelfth Day of Christmas, eat 12 homemade cookies (Keeping this one – it’s a perfect end)

    OK, get ready, set, GO!  Oh, and please don’t try and sing this: your tongue will get twisted! Apologies to composer Frederic Austin.

    Extra Credit for taking someone along with you, especially a child.

    Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année Mes Amis

    Previous ArticleFinding Your Story in the de Grummond Collection: Connecting Generations Through Legacy and Diverse Voices in Children’s Literature
    Next Article Three Easy Tips for a Healthy New Year
    Mark W. LaSalle, Ph.D.

    Mark is a naturalist and wetland ecologist, providing expertise on wetlands, water quality and environmental impacts of humans. He has also developed and conducted a number of environmental education programs and workshops for youth, teachers, realtors, and the general public on a variety of subjects including wetlands, natural history, and environmental landscaping. Mark is a graduate of the University of Southwestern Louisiana (B.S. and M.S. degrees) and Mississippi State University (Ph.D.). Mark is the recipient of the Chevron Conservation Award, the Mississippi Wildlife Federation Conservation Educator Award, the Gulf Guardian Award, and the Boy Scouts of America Silver Beaver Award.

    Related Posts

    Qu’est Que C’est

    Those Birds Under the Bridge

    April 25, 2026
    Environment

    Help Create a Bird-Friendly Oasis in Mississippi

    April 24, 2026
    Environment

    A Bream By Any Other Name, Still Smells Like A Fish

    April 14, 2026
    Add A Comment

    Comments are closed.

    Stay In Touch
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
    • Instagram

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest good news happening in Mississippi!

    Most Popular

    The Old Farmer’s Almanac Has Spoken on Mississippi’s Fall Forecast

    July 25, 20258K Views

    Old Sayings Say It Best

    May 22, 20247K Views

    Actor Jeremy London Calls Mississippi Home

    August 1, 20247K Views
    Our Picks

    From New Mom to Cancer Survivor: A Mississippi Woman’s Fight to Be Heard

    April 29, 2026

    A Coastline Full of Flavor: Where to Eat Along Mississippi’s Gulf Coast

    April 28, 2026

    Lucedale Plans Mountain Bike Park on 60-acre Site

    April 28, 2026

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest good news from Our Mississippi Home.

    Our Mississippi Home
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube TikTok RSS
    • About OurMSHome
    • Advertise
    • Community Partners
    • Privacy Policy
    • Guidelines
    • Terms
    © 2026 Our Mississippi Home. Designed by Know_Name.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Ad Blocker Enabled!
    Ad Blocker Enabled!
    Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please support us by disabling your Ad Blocker.

    Sign In or Register

    Welcome Back!

    Login to your account below.

    Lost password?