Archives
 By  Staff Reports Published 
7:55 pm Monday, December 24, 2001

Swapping presents with nature

By Staff
Dec. 21, 2001
In the very oldest file drawer of our memories lie the records of our opening presents at Christmas. The remembrances were engraved there by intense exhilaration that pervaded those special moments. It may be that we go through life seeking out moments that return us to that state of excitement.
The outdoor enthusiast finds such moments in the woods and waters and skies that call out to him or her endlessly. Once the fortunate have tasted the striped candy canes and the chocolate chip cookies and the warm apple cider of nature's hearth, the treasures of wild places draw us back again and again to a fireside strewn with gifts.
Having pursued and found far more of these presents in far more places than I merit, I can say without reservation that they are among the priceless blessings of my life. And they are countless; scores ever awaiting those who would venture forth and unwrap them.
Often it's the big gifts we go for first – a hike in the Appalachians, a 10 pound bass, a trophy deer, a battle with a giant marlin. On these quests we begin to notice the little gifts – hickory tree leaves that blind us with a golden glow, flowers the size of match heads that pop up in thawing February leaf mold, spiders and their webs, foxfire.
Gifts galore!
Another Side
This gift business, as Christmas so appropriately reminds us, has another side to it. It's the giving side. Gift getting, as one of life's highlights, rates up there a little short of gift giving. Thus outdoor lovers who reach a degree of maturity in their pursuits are rightly moved to give something back. When one stops a moment to consider a Christmas gift list for the outdoors, the possibilities are many.
We can push for game management strategies and laws that enhance many forms of wildlife and preserve wild places. We join the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Ducks Unlimited and other groups that raise money and put it to work for the betterment of wildlife.
We can take a youngster, a future benefactor of nature, hunting or fishing or hiking or canoeing or camping, and thus foster an eventual caretaker. We extol the virtues of the outdoors through conversation and writing to help build a "fan base" for nurturing wildlife.
Wiping nature's face
A stream side trail or woods road cleared of refuse thoughtlessly left by careless visitors is a small gift we can give wild places and those who will linger there. Likewise, being careful ourselves not to leave trash or scars on the faces of the outdoors is a practice that shows our respect and qualifies as a gift to nature.
Christmas, with its flurry of giving and receiving gifts, reminds us of the Supreme Gift, and likewise a host of other gifts that come our way. One of my favorites among the many, is the part of this world we call nature, with its wonders that we cannot count in an entire lifetime. The spiritual origin of nature's great gifts kindles reciprocation.
Gift-giving season is a good time to take stock of nature's bounty, and its components that could use a helping hand from us, the ones who have received so much.
Note: Autographed copies of Otha Barham's book of 55 true outdoor stories, "Here Where We Belong." are available for $11.22 each from Old Ben Publications, 3100 38th Street, Meridian, MS 39305. Add $1.85 shipping – $0.50 each additional copy – and Mississippi residents add $0.78 tax. Phone 482-4440 for local pickup or delivery.

Also on Franklin County Times
County school board adopts $52M budget
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 17, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE Franklin County Schools has adopted a $52 million budget for fiscal year 2026, reflecting a $2.5 million increase over last year. The bud...
Judge denies YO status for Phinizee
Main, News, Z - News Main
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
September 17, 2025
FLORENCE — Youthful offender status was denied Tuesday for a 17-year-old charged with the death of a 13-yearold during what authorities said was a rob...
RCS passes $43.3M budget
Main, News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 17, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- The city school board has approved a $43.3 million budget for the 2025-26 school year. Chief Financial Officer Lisa Witt said revenues...
Program tackles stress of caregiver burnout
News, Records, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 17, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- Many people deal with caregiver burnout. Kids and Kin childcare partner Marquita Wilson presented a program at the Russellville Public...
Flavil Wayne McCaig
Obituaries
September 17, 2025
Flavil Wayne McCaig Sept. 12, 2025   Flavil Wayne McCaig, 82, of Russellville, passed away Sept. 12 at his residence. He was born March 3, 1943, to Au...
Cultura Garden Club begins its year with roses and plans for fall
Columnists, News, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
September 17, 2025
The Cultura Garden Club held its first meeting of the year. President Cheri McCain presided. She provided information on projects and programs for the...
We can’t afford to lose electric vehicle industry
Columnists, Opinion
September 17, 2025
In Alabama, we understand what it means to build things that matter. We’ve long been home to builders and winners – our steel won wars and built the s...
Firefighters, cadets honor 9/11 with stair climbs
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 17, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE – Firefighters and RHS JROTC cadets participated in a stair climb in recognition of the 24th anniversary of 9-11. Sgt. Grant Tarascou and...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *