It’s such a simple thing, really. So easy to do. And yet, it gives us genuine pleasure.

While there is a cost involved, it’s really not much. Not much at all, considering.

It seems we’ve always done this. I suspect many of you have done it, too.

What I’m “talking” about here is feeding the birds. We have several bird feeders in our backyard. Watching those little suckers enjoy their chow time really is so enjoyable, so gratifying.

Don’t tell our feathered friends there’s no free lunch. Sort of an avian welfare program. Or maybe not really welfare, because the “return” we get from such a modest “investment” is well worth it. A very good dividend.

One of my favorite songs was featured in that wonderful movie “Mary Poppins.” Surely you recall “Feed the Birds.” Sung so incomparably by Julie Andrews, I can experience a touch of “eyeball sweat” just thinking of it.

You remember, the little old lady who sold bags of food for those who wanted to feed the winged creatures.

“All around the cathedral, the saints and apostles look down while she sells her wares …”

And … “though her words are simple and few — listen, listen, she’s calling to you.

“’Feed the birds, tuppence a bag. Tuppence, tuppence — tuppence a bag.’”

I like to think that my first name was chosen by my grandmother, for my father (I’m a junior), because she was thinking about Saint Francis of Assisi. We are taught that he loved the birds, and indeed all of God’s creatures. I like to think that, anyway.

As I said at the first, it’s such a simple thing, really. And yet, it gives us genuine pleasure.

Also, I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you that my First Wife is the one who is the principal feeder of the birds in our domain.

We share the pleasure of it, though.

APROPOS — “Come feed the little birds, show them you care — and you’ll be glad if you do. The young ones are hungry, their nests are unfed. All it takes is tuppence from you …”
— from “Mary Poppins”