During what may come to be remembered as the “Big Chill in Dixie of  ’14,” caring for animals who live outside was of paramount importance.

For us, that meant making sure Gladys and Babe ( our big bovine beauties) had a surfeit of hay which is crucial to keeping warm, and that their water trough’s ice was broken through each day, and that the water level was adequate.

Our cats maintain their residence in the garage. They have in-and-out access through a pet door. A heat lamp is positioned above their sleeping area to help ward off  the cold. They also like to “nest” in and among some of the bales of hay we keep in the garage. (Which is used for the cows’ breakfast when there’s no grass in the pastures.)

And then there are the birds. We ensure that the feeders are kept filled, and that there is at least some water available. Breaking up the ice is necessary each day, of course.

Ah, yes. The birds. “Our” birds.

Perhaps you recall one special song, sung by Julie Andrews in “MaryPoppins.”

It’s titled “Feed the Birds,” and is hauntingly melodic, with a powerfully poignant plea.  To me, it is beautiful to the point of making me misty eyed each time I hear it, or even think about it.

You see, there is a lady selling, perhaps peanuts, or birdseed, at the base of London’s great cathedral. St. Paul’s.

Her movingly musical entreaty is “feed the birds, tuppence a bag. Tuppence a bag.”

And “all around the cathedral the saints and apostles look down as she sells her wares.  Although she can’t see them, she knows they are smiling . . .”

Then “In her own special way to the people she calls; come feed the birds, if you may.

“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.”

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.”

Feed the birds. Indeed. Feed all God’s creatures, great and small.

Feed the children.

Feed all the hungry masses over all this Earth.

Listen. We are being called.