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
    Saturday, June 13, 2026
    Trending
    • Why the Mockingbird Still Deserves Its Place as Mississippi’s State Bird
    • From Alcorn to the Fast Lane: Breanna O’Leary’s Historic NASCAR Journey
    • Southern Miss Joins Major NOAA Effort to Strengthen America’s Seafood Supply
    • First Fruits Farm: A Leap of Faith That Continues to Bear Fruit
    • The Mississippi Pickle Fest Is Kind of a Big Dill
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube TikTok
    Login
    Our Mississippi HomeOur Mississippi Home
    • Living

      The Mississippi Pickle Fest Is Kind of a Big Dill

      June 11, 2026

      A Fresh First Impression for the Mississippi Gulf Coast

      June 11, 2026

      Cabins, Campfires, and Lightning Bugs: A New Season for Mississippi State Parks

      June 10, 2026

      A Love Letter to the Barrier Islands

      June 8, 2026

      The Best Things in a Mississippi Summer Are Still Free

      June 2, 2026
    • Arts / Culture

      Local Couple Bringing Community Arts Center to Lumberton

      June 10, 2026

      Fisheye Film Festival Launches in Ocean Springs

      June 9, 2026

      MSU Wins 5 Prestigious Southeast Emmys

      June 8, 2026

      “Mississippi Sounds” Carries Southern Voices Across the World

      June 5, 2026

      Mississippi Humanities Council to Host Screening of Natchez at Palace Theater in McComb

      May 27, 2026
    • Entertainment

      The Mississippi Pickle Fest Is Kind of a Big Dill

      June 11, 2026

      Bay Fest Celebrates Gulf Coast Creativity in Bay St. Louis

      May 27, 2026

      Family, Community Focus of Forrest County Boxing Event

      May 14, 2026

      Inside McComb’s Exotic Animal Kingdom

      May 13, 2026

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

      April 17, 2026
    • Food & Dining

      Biscuits, Conversation, and a Biloxi Morning Tradition

      May 24, 2026

      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
    • Environment

      Why the Mockingbird Still Deserves Its Place as Mississippi’s State Bird

      June 13, 2026

      Southern Miss Joins Major NOAA Effort to Strengthen America’s Seafood Supply

      June 12, 2026

      Fisheye Film Festival Launches in Ocean Springs

      June 9, 2026

      The iNaturalist App – Helping with Qu’est Que C’est

      May 30, 2026

      An Ode to Maggots

      May 16, 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

    Environment

    Why the Mockingbird Still Deserves Its Place as Mississippi’s State Bird

    June 13, 2026
    Education

    Southern Miss Joins Major NOAA Effort to Strengthen America’s Seafood Supply

    June 12, 2026
    Arts / Culture

    Fisheye Film Festival Launches in Ocean Springs

    June 9, 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, 20248K Views

    Actor Jeremy London Calls Mississippi Home

    August 1, 20247K Views
    Our Picks

    Why the Mockingbird Still Deserves Its Place as Mississippi’s State Bird

    June 13, 2026

    From Alcorn to the Fast Lane: Breanna O’Leary’s Historic NASCAR Journey

    June 12, 2026

    Southern Miss Joins Major NOAA Effort to Strengthen America’s Seafood Supply

    June 12, 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?