Connect with us

Our Mississippi Home

How Birds Handle the Cold

Published

on

ourmshome.com – Mark W. LaSalle, Ph.D. – 2025-01-25 17:09:00

SUMMARY: Birds are well-equipped to survive cold weather, thanks to their feathers and feeding habits. They possess two feather layers: tough outer feathers protect against moisture, while insulating downy feathers trap warmth. Eating high-energy foods, such as fatty fruits and seeds from native plants, fuels their metabolism during winter. Birds also adapt by lowering their body temperature at night to conserve energy and huddle together for warmth. Additionally, many avoid high winds and group together to deter predators. To support them, plant native winter-fruiting species and provide fat-rich foods like suet and sunflower seeds. Nature’s strategies for survival are often the best.

Read the full article

The post How Birds Handle the Cold appeared first on ourmshome.com

Our Mississippi Home

Mississippi-isms — Things that are Unique to Mississippi 

Published

on

ourmshome.com – Allyson Alford – 2025-02-10 11:36:00

SUMMARY: Mississippi, often overlooked, has made significant contributions to the U.S. and the world. Known as the “Catfish Capital of the World,” Belzoni hosts an annual catfish festival. The Mississippi River, the second largest in North America, attracts tourists for riverboat tours. The state is the birthplace of the blues, featuring iconic musicians like BB King. It also saw the first heart transplant in 1964. Unique culinary delights like Comeback Sauce and the combination of Dr. Pepper with pickles showcase local culture. Despite being misunderstood, Mississippi’s rich heritage includes music, food, and medical advancements deserving recognition.

Read the full article

The post Mississippi-isms — Things that are Unique to Mississippi  appeared first on ourmshome.com

Continue Reading

Our Mississippi Home

Feeding a Crowd | Our Mississippi Home

Published

on

ourmshome.com – Julian Brunt – 2025-02-09 10:11:00

SUMMARY: Julian Brunt, a food and travel writer with over a decade of experience covering the food culture of the Deep South, has always relied on jambalaya for feeding a crowd. However, for a change, he decided to make a special bolognese, adding peas, inspired by a favorite Italian dish. Julian, who has traveled extensively and appeared on Gordon Ramsay’s television show, “To Hell and Back in 24 Hours,” opted for rigatoni to make the dish more convenient for guests. He spent two days making the bolognese, simmering ground pork, spices, and vegetables, then reheating it with peas and Parmesan. The dish is served with garlic bread, allowing guests to dip in the sauce, an Italian tradition.

Read the full article

The post Feeding a Crowd | Our Mississippi Home appeared first on ourmshome.com

Continue Reading

Our Mississippi Home

No-See-Ums – Small Bites, Big Pain

Published

on

ourmshome.com – Mark W. LaSalle, Ph.D. – 2025-02-08 18:45:00

SUMMARY: Late winter and spring along the northern Gulf coast bring mild weather but also the annoyance of no-see-ums, tiny biting insects. These flies, also called punkies or sand gnats, are known for their painful bites, caused by females using saw-tooth mandibles to draw blood. Culicoides mississippiensis, a common species, thrives in wet habitats like tidal marshes, with high populations during late winter and early spring. Though irritating, they play an ecological role, feeding on nectar and preying on small organisms as larvae. While repellents like Avon Skin-So-Soft help, no-see-ums are a seasonal nuisance for coastal living.

Read the full article

The post No-See-Ums – Small Bites, Big Pain appeared first on ourmshome.com

Continue Reading

Trending