Waddle, Wattle, Twaddle

Yesterday, a subscriber wishing to unsubscribe from our list referred to the emails as drivel, though he misspelled it as drivl. What does drivel mean? Nonsense, twaddle, claptrap, balderdash, gibberish, and so on. Those words are hilariously fun! I’m so happy and grateful for his email! It’s given me laughs and fodder.

Interestingly, he made himself known instead of hitting the “Unsubscribe button.” So, if any of you want to unsubscribe from these emails, please waddle over to do so. We intend these emails for those who desire them. I think we’ve made it simple to do so. If not, let me know at debbie@louispage.com. Or if you want to voice any opinion about the emails, write away! We aim to please.

Wattles

Wattles have become more prominent along the roads and highways in recent years. I’m reading a Scottish novel that uses the word wattle, which sparked my curiosity about its true meaning. Upon looking it up, I discovered the following definition:

Wattle is made by weaving flexible branches around an upright stake to form a woven lattice. The wattle may be made into an individual panel or formed into a continuous fence. Wikipedia

In England, Scotland, and Ireland, fence-type wattles are prominent. They make a lovely barrier for gardens and effectively keep wind and animals out.

Good morrow, fair ones: pray you, if you know,
Where in the purlieus of this forest stands
A sheep-cot fenc’d about with olive trees?
As You Like It, IV 3

We don’t carry wattle-type fencing, so you must make your own. And when you do, please share photos with me.

The wattles I’m talking about along the highways are placed on the ground and used for erosion. Typically, they are long, skinny burlap bags of straw that look like sausages. They catch the sediment and slow down the flow of water.

Waddle

Waddle your way through Louis Page’s catalog to see the various types of fencing we offer. If you don't find what you want, call Terry, our fence expert, at 978-486-3116. Click to call

Make it fun if you are interested in waddle, wattle, or twaddle. Take delight in your projects. We are the creators of life! Isn’t that grand? And take pleasure in words. There are so many meanings, so why not enjoy them?

And perhaps one man’s drivel is another man’s delight.

Warmest 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)

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Who's eating my bananas?

My friend and colleague Lance lives in Australia. They do things a bit differently down under, but that’s okay.

Yesterday, he wrote to tell me what’s happening to the bananas in his banana trees growing near his veranda. Two turkeys (“bush turkeys”) flew into the banana trees. This is rather difficult for such large, ungainly birds who generally prefer to walk, to steady themselves in a flimsy banana tree. Nevertheless, here they were in the trees, eating the bananas!

It’s not like these bananas in their current state, were even very appetizing. Lance wasn’t interested in picking them or eating them. They were already half-eaten by flying foxes (giant fruit bats)!

You can’t fence out wild flying birds. The solution is to cover the trees with bird netting. We have a great selection of this netting in different strengths, widths, and lengths. You’re sure to find what you need right here!

Call Terry @ 978-486-3116. T2C She’s happy to help!

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)

How many Chooks can a Chookhouse hold?

How Many Chooks Can a Chookhouse Hold?

My Aussie friend living in Vanuatu recently shared this story about a black bantam chook (Aussie for chicken) affectionately known as Chooky. Chooky wasn't just any ordinary hen; she was a survivor in a world full of lurking dangers.

Nestled beside her Aussie friend's home, Chooky's days were filled with scratching the earth for tasty morsels, basking in the warm tropical sun, and watching her surroundings. But living next door to a pack of fierce Dobermans made her life anything but ordinary.

Despite the constant threat, Chooky was a diligent mother, and one fateful day, she surprised everyone by reappearing with a bustling brood of 14 tiny chicks. She was fiercely protective, her maternal instincts kicking into high gear. Each night, she nestled her precious chicks under the protective canopy of the fig tree, spreading her wings wide to shield them from harm.

But the danger was never far away. The neglected fence between the properties offered a tempting passage for Chooky to forage for food. It was during one of these excursions that tragedy struck.

As Chooky ventured beneath the fence, the Dobermans were on her in seconds, trapping her in a precarious position. With a chilling scream that pierced the air, Chooky fell victim to the lurking danger, leaving her chicks motherless in the blink of an eye.

The blame game ensued, with the fence owner deflecting responsibility onto Chooky's owner, arguing that the fence should have been mended. It was a twisted reality where accountability seemed lost amidst the chaos.

Despite the lack of apology, there was a glimmer of hope. Recognizing the need for resolution, the fence owner extended an olive branch, offering a portable wire mesh chook house for the orphaned chicks. It was a small gesture, but it paved the way for peace and reconciliation.

With a secure shelter to call home, Chooky's chicks thrived, their chirps filling the air with newfound vitality. And though Chooky's presence was sorely missed, her legacy lived on in the resilience of her offspring.

In the end, amidst the trials and tribulations of life in the backyard, it was a story of resilience, compassion, and the unbreakable bond between a mother and her chicks. And through it all, the backyard in Vanuatu remained a place where even the smallest creatures could find refuge and solace in the face of adversity.

Before Adversity Takes You, Check Out This Week’s Special

Let me tell you about this week’s special in our warehouse. We have just 38 rolls of gorgeous Belgium-made hexagonal netting. It’s 22 gauge with ½ “ openings and is just under three feet wide. Each roll is 164 inches long. How can you use this netting, often called Sparrow Netting? Here are some ways to help you tremendously as you garden and/or farm your plot:

• Chicken house and run
• As a top netting for your chicken run
• Canary cages (Martha Stewart has ordered this from us for this very purpose, and I can help you get the plans to build your canary cage.)
• A balcony or deck safety or animal barrier netting
• Use as floral wire (one of our customers makes astonishing flower structures for weddings, etc.)

Here’s the deal: Order before Friday, March 1st, at 3 PM Eastern, mention this email and I’ll give you 20% off. Order the whole lot and save 25%. Check it out on our Sparrow Netting now!

Warm regards,

Debbie Page
CEO, Louis E. Page Inc.

“Bearly” alive in the Smokey Mountains…

How beautiful are the Great Smokey Mountains? A part of my heart lives there, and when I return, I know that my spirit is there, soaring high.

It all happened one May weekend when my friend Susan and I left the kids with their grandparents and traveled northwest to enjoy the beautiful mountains. Susan had booked a B&B long before Airbnb existed.

The small stone inn reminded me of something you’d see in England, and the scenery was peaceful and breathtaking. Nestled into the side of a hill, long ago cleared for pasture, the inn seemed to rise out of the earth itself to say, “Welcome, weary hiker.” The hill was dotted with sheep lazily grazing within their fenced pasture. A more picturesque scene could not be had.

We checked in, unpacked our bags, and enjoyed a lovely lunch on the porch. I’m a hiker and lover of wildflowers. A trail led from the property and eventually joined other trails, forming a network of trails that would take you miles away. Susan stayed behind to read, and I took off on a solo hike to see the wildflowers in bloom. I took one bottle of water with me, nothing else. I planned to hike for four hours, so I didn't need anything else.

The inn owners had given me directions for the loop trail and a source of profuse flowers. “Go to the first fork in the trail, turn left, and go over the footbridge.”

The wildflowers did not disappoint! Hundreds of wildflowers, left and right, filled the forest floor; I was in heaven. Before cell phones, I didn’t have a camera with me, so I was alone in nature, soaking up the beauty and reflecting on the world's wonder.

I really have no idea how much time had passed when I realized I’d never seen the fork or the bridge. I decided I must not have come to it yet and kept going and going. I finally saw another hiker; he was a trail runner. I stopped him and asked him how far I was from the road where the inn was located. He said, “A long way! You’d be better off continuing and coming out at the parking lot. It’s closer.”

He continued his run, and I pondered my dilemma. If I headed to the parking lot, I would have no way of contacting Susan for a pickup. It seemed best to me to turn around and head back down.

Oh, that’s right. I failed to mention that I had been climbing a mountain all this time. By now, my water was gone, the sun was setting, and I guess I had about three hours to return to the inn. But what’s a girl to do when she finds herself alone in the middle of the wilderness? I was still energized and thrilled to be in the Smokeys!

The day started turning into evening, and soon, it was dark. I couldn’t see anything but shadows, but I kept walking. I dare not stop. Once I got to the part of the trail that parallels the river, I felt it would help keep me on the trail or not. I was concerned I might miss my step and tumble down the steep hill on my left.

Two issues arose: a blister on my heel and fear. I did not exactly panic, but I could have ended up there. I decided to start singing out loud. “I love to go a-wandering,”

I love to go a-wandering,

Along the mountain track,

And as I go, I love to sing,

My knapsack on my back.

Chorus:

Val-de-ri--Val-de-ra-

Val-de-ri--Val-de ha ha ha ha ha ha

Val-de-ri--Val-de-ra.

My knapsack on my back.

I sang this over and over and over as loud as I could, limping along with a painful blister and legs that were getting tired. It was now so pitch black that I had no idea how I knew where to walk. God was watching over me, for sure.

Just before 8 p.m., I reached the inn and was greeted by Susan and a Park Ranger. The inn owners had rallied him to search for me. He told me he had decided to give me until 8 and then start his search.

What a relief to be back in civilization again. That night, I slept like a rock!

The next morning, as we joined other guests in the dining room, the owner approached our table and pulled up a chair. He wanted to hear all about my adventures. I explained how I obviously missed the fork and the bridge and was high on the mountain before I realized I was in trouble.

“Oh my gosh,” he exclaimed. “You were in bear country! That’s a densely populated area for the black bear. You are lucky to be alive!”

I gazed out over the fenced pasture, once again focusing on the grazing sheep, and said a prayer of thankfulness.

Lucky I was, and lucky I am, and so blessed to be running Louis Page and serving customers like you. So, what do you want for fencing today? Are you fencing in sheep or goats? Or you are fencing in your apple orchard? Head over to Louis Page and browse our large and varied array of fencing.

Call Terry at 978-486-3116 (or Tap to Call) and tell her about your project. She takes great pride in knowing our products and will search the world to find what you want.

Happy wandering!

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)