Silencing the Noise in the Woods

Friends Jerry and Ramona used to do a great deal of camping with friends in Texas. Then, along came another friend, Dave, who caused a significant shift in their sleeping arrangements.

A Peaceful Start

They arrived by noon on that autumn day, unpacked the car, and set up camp. Off to the lake for kayaking, they had a merry afternoon exploring the lake’s nooks and crannies. Once back at camp, they began preparations for a simple chili and cornbread dinner. Everyone was ready for sleep after a few rounds of songs by the campfire. Ahh… falling asleep to the sound of crickets is delightful.

An Unexpected Disturbance

And then it happened. A noise so loud it awakened and scared Ramona. “What is that noise?” she declared to her sleeping husband.

“I don’t know,” uttered a sleepy Jerry.

“Well, get up and find out!” demanded Ramona.

Jerry got to his feet and poked his head outside the tent. The noise was coming from the tent next door. Puzzled, he walked over and tapped on the tent. No answer. He tapped harder. No answer. Then he called out Dave’s name. Finally, the zippered door opened, and out stepped Dave.

“What’s the matter, Jerry?” asked a bewildered Dave.

“What’s that noise in your tent?” asked Jerry.

“A generator,” replied Dave.

“A generator? Why, on earth, are you using a generator?” quizzed Jerry.

“To power my CPAP machine,” Dave responded. (CPAP: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, treats sleep-related breathing disorders including sleep apnea.)

Jerry returned to his tent and wife and gave her the information she had wanted. “Now, go back to sleep, Ramona.”

“Are you kidding me? You think for one minute that I can sleep with that blasted noise next door?” squawked Ramona.

Ramona marched her petite self over to Dave’s tent and informed him that he needed to move his tent far away from theirs. Dave obliged her and relocated a grand distance away.

Back in her tent, Ramona settled into her sleeping bag and fell fast asleep. Now she laughs when she tells the story, but that was a night from hell, she says!

Fencing Solutions

Well, a fence wouldn’t help in that situation unless it was a noise-blocking fence. Maybe that would deafen the noise some. There must be other alternatives for CPAPs in the woods. Write to me and let me know!

Check out Louis Page for fantastic fence solutions! We've got the best.

Kind Regards,

Debbie Page

CEO, Louis E. Page Inc – Woman-owned business and Family-owned since 1893. (It adds up to over 131 years owned and run by our family. Think about it: Nobody stays around in business that long without really supporting customers so they want to come back!)

How Restful Are Your Sundays?

I love Sundays because they allow me to rest and restore my spirit, my soul, and my inner being. Most of us rush through the week, including Saturday. There’s always something to do to keep us fast-tracking through the day, but then Sunday arrives. It’s time to take a deep breath of relief. Your rest has come.

The Joy of Sundays

For many people, Sunday is the day for worshipping and coming together with like-minded people. They may gather in a church, a home, or on a mountaintop, but they gather and encourage one another. They sing familiar songs or hymns in worship.

The Benefits of Singing

Singing, especially singing as a group or congregation, has tremendous benefits. It releases endorphins and oxytocin, the feel-good hormones. Singing boosts your mood and increases your pain threshold. It reduces stress and helps your mental health. I’ve started singing throughout my day. It’s a fantastic exercise that brings joy and relaxation.

I recommend gathering with others on Sundays and singing together. Both will boost your mood. Every Sunday, as I prepare for worship, I remind myself of the third of the Ten Commandments: “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.”

Take Time for Rest

Take time for yourself. Make rest a part of your week. Sing to your heart’s content.

Reflecting on God's Goodness

Does this have anything to do with fencing? Perhaps you can think about Psalm 100:4, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.” Each time you walk through a gate, stop, reflect on God's goodness, and sing praises.

Your Fence Project

Call Terry about your latest fence project. If you know and appreciate her as I do, sing her praises! You’ll make her day.

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!)

Naked or Nekkid: The Charm of Southern Accents

My children spent their early years in the South before we moved to New England. To this day, my heart responds with fondness to Southern accents and phrases.

The Diversity of Southern Accents

There's no fence separating the South from the North, and the accent doesn’t necessarily get stronger the further south you travel. The accent varies from state to state and even within each state. I’ve heard much deeper drawls from Virginia than from Greenville, South Carolina, where I grew up. Charlestonians have a much stronger accent than those from “Hotlanta.” The accent is even stronger when you get to Alabama, especially LA (Lower Alabama).

The Flavors of Regional Pronunciations

I love the flavors of the different regions of the States, especially the pronunciation of certain words. I remember my Massachusetts daughter-in-law saying “bot-tul,” with a definite emphasis on the second “t.” In the South, we say “bod-ul,” as if it only has one “t” that sounds like a “d.”

A Tale of Southern Pronunciation

Daniel moved with me to New England when he was nine years old. He certainly brought along lots of Southern pronunciations and accents. I remember his embarrassment when he was reading out loud in his eighth-grade English class. He pronounced “naked” as “nekkid.” His English teacher was quick to point out that “nekkid” was not a word! The poor child was mortified. I doubt he even realized there was another way to pronounce it! Oh well, we can’t escape mortification as we grow up. It just happens, even as adults.

Fencing in the South

Do you want to fence off a section of your farm? Daniel recently added more fencing to his property, and when Rachel asked him, he said it was the southern section of the pasture. I stopped and looked up at the sun on his mountaintop so I could determine the direction. I don’t usually think in directional terms.

Louis Page: Your Fencing Treasure Trove

Louis Page is a treasure trove of fencing supplies. If you need help, call Terry at 978-486-3116 or email her at sales@louispage.com.

All my best regards in gratitude,

Debbie Page

CEO, Louis E. Page Inc – Woman-owned business and Family-owned since 1893. (That’s right! A little more than 131 years ago our family ancestor Louis Everett Page founded the company in Boston)

Up to the Ledges and Over

Yesterday, we hiked to the knoll beside my farmer boy's mountaintop farm. With the baby on papa's back and the six and three-year-old hiking alongside the other three adults, it was a delightful walk. My roommate from nursing school was visiting from Charleston, South Carolina.

A Delightful Hike

The kids and I sang and looked for newts, which were numerous. Acorns and oak leaves galore had come down in the hailstorm the day before. We found a few ripe blackberries. Summer in New Hampshire is wonderful.

The Stone Walls

Daniel made sure to point out the stone walls going up the mountain. The interesting thing about this stone wall was the way it went to the granite ledges and then continued on top of the ledges. I’d never seen a stone wall do that. The stone walls marked the old property boundaries and are extensive throughout New England.

I thought the stone walls also fenced in the farm animals, but I was completely wrong about that! Thanks to Daniel for setting me straight.

Stories of Old Fences

From time to time, you'll pass old wire mesh fencing in the woods, sometimes some barbed wire on old cedar posts. If only the fences could talk! Imagine the stories of people and animals, houses and barns.

Thinking of Putting in Some Fencing?

Thinking of putting in some fencing? Check out Louis Page. We’ve been delighting customers since 1893! We know fencing!

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!)

Additional Recommendations:

One and Eight, the Call of Infinity

Sitting on the lake house porch within feet of the water’s edge brings innumerable joys. This morning did not disappoint.

A Morning with Nature

First was the call of a single loon almost right beside me. From the other side of the point, I heard a loon return the call. Within the minute, eight loons swam around the point and into the small swimming bay where the single loon was. One and eight. I don't study numerology, but a good friend of mine does. She was quick to point out the meanings of the numbers one and eight.

One stands for unity. Eight stands for infinity.

Wildlife Encounters

I looked up to see an eagle flying low and close. It landed on the tallest tree on the tiny island that separates our swimming bay from the open water.

Then, to my utter surprise, the mergansers (large sea ducks) paddled in and climbed on the rocks Duncan's mother had named when she was coming to the lake cottage as a child—Big Turtle and Little Turtle. As they settled, I counted. 21 mergansers in the swimming bay!

What a day for wildlife. I'm quite sure I've never seen so many of God's creatures in the bay at one time.

The Freedom of Wild Creatures

I love the freedom of these wild creatures on the lake. They seem undisturbed. Though the nephew saw the eagle swoop down and carry off a duckling early summer. Life eating life. It's both unity and infinity.

I hope you have the freedom and opportunity to see unfenced wild creatures or you visit zoos.

Wildlife Adventures

My friend recently returned from an African photographic safari where the animals roam wild—no fences—sometimes in unity and sometimes in infinity, or so it appears.

For your domestic animals though, you need a fence! Call Terry to help you make your fence selection. She is ready to help!

Grab your camera and plan a trip to a zoo, a wildlife park, or head to Africa for a safari.

All my best regards in gratitude,

Debbie Page

CEO, Louis E. Page Inc – Woman-owned business and Family-owned since 1893. (That’s right! A little more than 131 years ago our family ancestor Louis Everett Page founded the company in Boston)