An Engineer, an Architect, and You

My friend Cheryl is super bright. She has an engineering mind without the degree. The things she has created amaze me.

Cheryl's Engineering Marvels

She was given a Toyota Highlander and within the year she had converted it to a van. She used her 3D printer to produce most of the structures she used in the van. It's absolutely marvelous to walk in and see her handiwork. She always wanted to be an engineer, but her engineering father put his foot down. “No girl of mine is going to be an engineer!”

But his iron fist (foot?) didn't alter her natural inclinations or brain. Definitely a left-brained person.

The Gelato Maker Adventure

One summer she found a free used Italian gelato maker and told me I should snatch it up. I did, and we hauled that heavy machine back to the lake house. She began removing parts so we could thoroughly clean the machine.

Once satisfied with our cleaning efforts, she started reassembling it. She put all the screws back in place except for one. “Put that one in,” I said.

“It's not necessary,” she answered.

“Put it in anyway.”

“It doesn't really serve a purpose,” she replied.

“I don't care. If the engineer designed it that way, then put it back in.”

Exasperated, I snapped at her. “You are so stubborn!”

Without missing a beat, she smiled and answered, “That's probably why I'm not married!”

And we both broke out laughing!

The Value of Professional Expertise

When installing a fence, you might want to use a contractor. The contractor may reach out to an architect or engineer. There are reasons to hire professionals, even though you are probably super smart!

Once you know what they recommend, call Terry at 978-486-3116 to get a quote. She knows fencing like the back of her hand!

Or you could check your options first, at Louis Page.

All my best regards,

Debbie Page

CEO, Louis E. Page Inc – Woman-owned business and Family-owned since 1893. (So 131 years ago our family ancestor Louis E. founded the company!)

What Comes First? Confidence or Commitment?

Every day involves making decisions. We make decisions based on what our beliefs are. When we look at people, we can say to ourselves, "I see decisions." Do they smoke? Do they have great posture? Are they overweight? All of those things are based on their decisions leading up to this moment and in this moment. Looking in the mirror, I see the same things: decisions.

The Power of Decision Making

So, what comes first? Confidence or commitment? It’s a valid question. When I decided to get healthy, my commitment came first. As I changed my eating habits and began to lose weight, my confidence grew tremendously.

Building Confidence Through Commitment

The same applies to creating the oasis we want in our backyard. Are we confident we can create it? Or do we commit to doing it, and the confidence grows? You decide.

Commit to Your Vision

Commit here: Louis Page

My warmest regards,

Debbie Page

CEO, Louis E. Page Inc – Woman-owned business and Family-owned since 1893. (True! That’s 131 years owned and run by our family!)

Purple Hearts and Evil Surgeons: A Tale of Faith and Fate

Yesterday, I shared a story about my dad’s Purple Hearts and the shrapnel in his eye. Someone asked me to explain what happened with his eye, so here I go.

The Injury

After the bomb exploded, leaving shrapnel in his leg and eye, they transferred Dad to a field hospital. They attended to his immediate needs and set him up in a large tent with numerous other injured soldiers. With Dad’s eye being affected, they had wrapped his head and face in gauze so that he couldn’t see.

A Fateful Encounter

Two young surgeons met with him and explained they needed to remove the injured eye. I think Dad was about 22: young, scared, and naive. He accepted this was his fate. Dad had tremendous faith in God and never showed fear or anxiety to us as kids, so I don’t really know how he was handling this.

The next morning, a young doctor was making his rounds. He came to my dad’s bed, picked up his chart hanging from the end of his bed, read the name, and said, “Billy Hoffman? The Billy Hoffman from Lincolnton, North Carolina?”

“Yes,” my dad answered.

The doctor introduced himself, and Dad immediately knew who he was: a classmate from his hometown. What a small world. The doctor sat on the edge of the bed and listened to Dad’s story, including that surgery to remove his eye was arranged for the next day. The doctor told Dad to hold on tight as he would discuss this with the surgeons.

A Miraculous Intervention

Walking down the makeshift corridor, he overheard the surgeons discussing Dad’s case. They said this would be a great practice for them and would give them great experience when returning to the States. Dad’s friend was appalled and confronted the surgeons. As the doctor learned more, he concluded that eye removal was unnecessary! Imagine deciding to remove someone’s eye for practice’s sake. It’s so unethical.

I mentioned yesterday that Dad’s eye was fine all the rest of his life, and he never wore glasses. Dad didn’t do much reading in his late 80s, so who knows if he would have needed reading glasses. But he lived to 90 and enjoyed seeing the world around him with two eyes.

Memories of a Good Dad

I hope you have fond memories of your dad and have tales to share with family and friends. There is nothing better than a good dad. Unfortunately, Dad died eleven days before I started working at Louis Page in 2011. He would have taken great delight in perusing the website and the catalog, dreaming of ways to use our fencing products. I’m sure he would have found a way to incorporate a fence in his yard. I would have jumped at the chance to watch him dig those fence post holes.

Plan Your Fence This Spring

It’s the end of April, and it's time to plan your fence. Many of our fence contractors install backyard fences this time of year to keep dogs and children safe. Our Yard Guard has been a favorite for many decades. I received a lovely email with pictures from a satisfied customer who installed this last Spring and is looking to expand her project. Why not join suit?

Warm regards,

Debbie Page

CEO, Louis E. Page Inc – Woman-owned business and Family-owned since 1893. (True! That’s 131 years owned and run by our family!)

Setting the table and finding the missing leaves.

Preparing for a special day is sacred to my heart and soul. Amongst all the days I celebrate, Easter is the most sacred to me. I have many fond memories of my Easters as a child.

Memories of Easter

My mother made this one day of the year incredibly beautiful for us. From dyeing the eggs to having a small egg tree, she had so much enthusiasm and joy, delighting our senses with color and beauty—my dear mother, how I thank you.

Now, I delight in enchanting the senses of my adult children, their children, and family friends. This year, I’m hosting 17 people and a baby! Now, that’s a lot of people, and I am determined to seat them all around the same table—no easy feat.

The Search for the Missing Leaves

Daniel came over to help me add the leaves to the table. I kept insisting I have seven leaves for this table, but he thought it wasn’t possible as we could only seem to expand the table to take five leaves. But I was sure I remembered there are seven leaves for this table, though I’ve never used all seven. Oh, well, let’s see what we can do.

My five-year-old granddaughter spent Tuesday with me, and our mission was to set the table. We tried tablecloths, and nothing was long enough. Then we decided we’d just use the placemats I have. They’re lovely, and I only use them for Easter. They are a garden scene with brownish-gray rabbits and purple and white irises. They transport you to another place in the world. Then, we created place cards. She wrote the names she knew how to spell, and I wrote the others.

Somebody took great pains to decide where each person should sit. She changed her mind several times but finally settled on the seating arrangement.

Preparing the Centerpieces

We stopped for lunch and then continued to plan the centerpieces and candles.

“Mimi,” she exclaimed, “we forgot Pastor and Kathy!”

Oh, my gosh. There is no way I can get two more people at this table! I’ve got to find those missing leaves that I am sure are in the house. After a bit of hunting and pecking, Voila! I found them—the extra two leaves. I sent a text to Daniel to let him know. His response was, “I don’t think we can open the table anymore!” I guess we’ll find out. I’m still waiting for the verdict.

Visualizing the Expansion

Expanding the table, expanding our minds, expanding the fence—they all take visualizing what you want. I want everyone to sit at the same table. But when it comes to fences, I visualize my customers fencing in their orchards, training their grapevines, or building a run for their chicken coop.

Whatever you are thinking about, make it a reality. We’re here to help you make wise decisions for your or your customers’ property.

Dream it, sketch it, build it!

Don’t worry, Pastor and Kathy, we’ll ensure you have a seat at our table this Easter! I know because I’m visualizing it.

As always, my warmest regards,

Debbie Page

CEO, Louis E. Page Inc—Woman-owned business and Family-owned since 1893. (Without question, that is 131 years owned and run by our family!)

 The Timeless Harmony: A Scottish Honeymoon and the Wisdom of a Farmer

Introduction

In the summer of 2000, my cherished late husband, Duncan, and proprietor of Louis Page, whisked me away on a spellbinding journey to Scotland for our honeymoon. August draped the Scottish landscape in a cloak of enchantment as we ventured from the east coast and meandered our way north, west, and south, tracing the contours of the breathtaking coastline.

The Journey

It was a time of unparalleled beauty to be in Scotland, with the local children returning to school, leaving behind tranquil sites for us to explore in blissful solitude. The weather, too, favored our escapade, with bonnie sunshine gracing our every moment, save for a gentle mist that veiled the air on the eve of our departure.

Duncan, renowned for his penchant for unearthing hidden pathways and off-road escapades, delighted me at every turn. We ascended hills, traversed pastures, and followed babbling brooks, our journey punctuated by encounters with quaint cattle-crossing bridges and picturesque scenes.

Daily Rituals

Each morning, we would visit the local grocer, selecting an array of cheeses and a freshly baked loaf of bread to fill our picnic basket before setting off in search of the authentic pulse of local life.

A Memorable Encounter

One particular day has etched itself vividly into my memory. As we wound our way down a narrow, stone-walled lane, the forest enveloped us in a serene embrace, whispering secrets of centuries past. Suddenly, as if conjured by the very magic of the land, a quaint stone bridge emerged before us, its ancient facade barely wider than a footpath. Below, a gathering of Highland cattle stood in silent communion, their majestic forms forming a perfect circle, their intentions shrouded in mystery.

Parking our car by the roadside, we approached the wire fence that bordered the pasture, drawn by curiosity to unravel the enigma before us. And then, amidst the tranquil backdrop of nature's symphony, we heard it—the roaring of a chainsaw.

The Farmer and His Herd

At that moment, the cattle slowly and deliberately stepped back as if to give us a glimpse into the sacred gathering. Our eyes traced the source of the sound to the figure of an old, weathered farmer, his rugged frame silhouetted against the verdant backdrop as he embarked on cutting logs from a felled tree.

Yet, not the farmer nor his labor captivated us, but the solemn congregation of the Highland cattle, their sober gaze fixed upon the unfolding scene. They were in harmony, and neither were bothered by the presence of the other. Cattle and Farmer understood one another.

A Moment Frozen in Time

At that moment, amidst the rustling leaves and murmuring brooks, it felt as though time held its breath, as if the land's very essence had converged to witness the age-old dance between man and nature. As the old tree yielded to the relentless onslaught of the chainsaw’s biting teeth, falling to the earth repurposed for the cook stove, the Highland cattle stood as silent sentinels, guardians of a timeless bond that transcended the bounds of comprehension.

Conclusion

In the hallowed embrace of Scotland's ancient landscape, Duncan and I shared a fleeting glimpse into the ineffable harmony between humankind and the natural world—a harmony woven into the fabric of existence, echoing across the ages in whispers carried on the wind.

Although our journey may have ended, the memories we forged amidst Scotland's rolling hills and misty moors would endure, forever etched upon the tapestry of our hearts.

Call to Action

Did you notice mention of “the wire fence that bordered the pasture” above? That wise old farmer was not so entranced by the romance of his surroundings that he neglected to protect his herd. And neither will you. Order yours from my website. There's a sale on - worth a peek to see if what you want can be scooped up: Louis Page

Debbie Page CEO, Louis E. Page Inc – Woman-owned business and Family-owned since 1893.