The Fence Post

Blue Reflections but not what you think

Nestled snugly across the street from a body of water that straddles the line between a pond and a lake, my house provides gorgeous views of nature's embrace. Despite its official designation as a pond, I often find myself referring to it as a lake, a testament to its grandeur and the majesty it bestows upon our surroundings.

On a mainly cloudy and overcast Saturday morning, I embarked on a journey from my driveway, setting my sights on the day ahead. As I cast a glance towards the pond, a curious sight greeted me - swathes of brilliant blue dancing upon its surface, seemingly at odds with the gloomy forecast overhead. It was a puzzle begging to be solved, a riddle of nature's making.

Intrigued, I found myself pondering the source of this unexpected burst of color. Casting my gaze skyward, I beheld a canvas dominated by thick, grey clouds punctuated by fleeting patches of blue. Yet, in the pond's reflection, the azure expanse stretched far and wide, painting a picture of serenity and optimism.

Recollections of an old adage spoken by Duncan, a sage in his own right, flitted through my mind. "There’s enough blue for a pair of Dutchman’s breeches," he would say on such days. It was a reminder to see the world through a different lens, embrace the unexpected, and find joy in the simplest of moments. It’s flipping life on its end, coming in through the front door instead of the basement door, seeing the glass as half-full instead of half-empty, and choosing to find the good in someone instead of the bad and ugly.

Buoyed by this empowering perspective, I embarked on my journey, my destination the botanical garden I talked about yesterday. The garden sits up on Tower Hill overlooking the Wachusett Water Reservoir. Along the way, the sight of fences punctuated my travels, each one a witness to human ingenuity and the myriad purposes they served.

From weathered remnants of old farm fencing adorned with rusted barbed wire to meticulously crafted privacy fences guarding suburban sanctuaries, each structure spoke volumes about the intentions of its creators. Dogs, horses, goats, and sheep - all found refuge behind these barriers, while others served as guardians of privacy, safety, and security.

As I continued my journey, the diversity of fences served as a poignant reminder of the multiplicity of human endeavors, each reflecting our desires, needs, and aspirations. Indeed, in the tapestry of life, fences are but threads, weaving together the fabric of our shared existence. And so, with each passing fence, I found myself not only traversing physical boundaries but also exploring the depths of human imagination and endeavor.

How would a fence make your life simpler? More secure? More fun? Explore the world of fencing I offer at Louis Page. Https://louispage.com My experts are waiting to help you!

My warmest regards

Debbie Page

CEO, Louis E. Page Inc–Woman-owned business and Family-owned since 1893. (Uh, that’d be thirteen-point-one decades owned and run by our family!)

Playgrounds: To Fence or Not to Fence? That is the question

Years ago, when my children were in preschool, I discovered a fascinating study regarding playground fencing. It illuminated the profound impact of providing boundaries within play areas: children experienced a notable increase in their sense of security, which in turn led to greater freedom in their play.

Reflecting on this study, I find myself recalling numerous instances where I've observed children's behavior with and without boundaries. Just yesterday, as I ventured into the forest beside my home with my young grandchildren, the significance of boundaries became palpable once again. Despite granting them full autonomy to explore, they instinctively stayed close to me. They navigated the familiar terrain of hemlock trees, large stones, and rhododendrons, seeking refuge beneath those closest to our home. It was particularly amusing to witness the antics of my three-year-old grandson, who, in his innocent belief, thought that if he couldn't see us, we couldn't see him, insisting on hiding in the very same spots as before!

What are some reasons to install a fence for play areas and schools?

Safety and Boundaries: Fencing establishes clear boundaries for the playground area, which helps children understand where they can play safely. This delineation can prevent children from wandering off or accidentally entering areas that may pose a danger, such as roads or uneven terrain.

Security and Comfort: Knowing they are within a defined and enclosed space can give children a sense of security. This feeling of safety can encourage them to explore and play more freely without fear of getting lost or encountering unfamiliar situations.

Freedom to Explore: Paradoxically, a fence enhances children's sense of freedom within the playground. With clear boundaries and a secure environment, children feel more confident to explore, try new activities, and interact with their peers without worrying about external threats.

Privacy and Distraction Reduction: Fencing can also provide a degree of privacy and shield children from distractions outside the playground. This can create a more immersive play experience, allowing children to focus on their activities and interactions with others.

The bottom line is that playground fencing contributes to a positive play experience by creating a safe, secure, and controlled environment where children can play more freely, confidently, and creatively.

Louis Page offers a wide array of fencing that works well for playgrounds. If you want an aesthetically pleasing fence that lasts for years, check out the school and playground security fencing options.

Remember too, today until 3pm Eastern is the last day of my Belgian Hex Wire Netting sale.

Here again is what I wrote about it yesterday…

22 gauge with ½ “ openings and just under three feet wide. Each roll is 164 inches long. You can use it for Martha Stewart’s Canary Cage design, or…

Control a variety of smaller livestock while protecting from vermin and feral animals

Make a trellis ready for Spring planting

Chicken house and run

As a top netting for your chicken run

Sparrow barrier under your eaves

A balcony or deck safety or animal barrier netting

Use as floral wire (one of our customers makes astonishing flower structures for weddings, etc.)

OK, this is what I will do: order before Friday, March 1st, at 3 PM Eastern, mention this email and I’ll include Martha Stewart’s plans AND give you 20% off. Order the whole lot of what’s left (less than 3 dozen rolls at time of writing) and save 25%. Don’t wait until Friday when there may be none left - go to our website here now!

Warm regards,

Debbie Page

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

“No excuses…”

Satisfied customers: I love them. We have a super high rate of satisfied customers, though only some take the time to rate us. This one customer did. Here’s his review:

“I had originally ordered 14 GA 1x1 from a company in Texas that claimed to make ‘quality cages’ for rabbits. After 47 days of multiple excuses, my credit card company agreed to a chargeback, and I immediately came to Louis Page for the same item. It arrived in 6 days and was perfect. There were no excuses, just performance. I should have come to Louis Page first.”

Thank you for your excellent review. Yes! Come to Louis Page first!

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)

Never A Stupid Question for Terry

Terry, our seasoned fencing expert with over two decades of experience, has encountered her fair share of inquiries over the years. While most revolve around cost and availability, some customers seek guidance on selecting the right gauge and opening size for their fencing needs.

When asked about her favorite question, Terry didn't hesitate to recount an amusing exchange that perfectly captures the essence of her role.

A customer eager to fence in her backyard to contain her dogs approached Terry with a seemingly straightforward question: 'How tall is a four-foot fence?'

Initially taken aback by the simplicity of the question, Terry replied, '48 inches.'

Unsatisfied, the customer persisted, 'But how tall is a four-foot fence?'

Terry, ever patient and quick-witted, responded with her own question, 'Well, how tall are you?'

'I’m five foot two inches tall,' came the reply.

'A four-foot tall fence would maybe come a bit past your waist,' Terry explained.

With newfound clarity, the customer exclaimed, 'Ahh… thank you. Now I know!'

Moments like these showcase Terry's dedication to providing our valued customers with not just answers but understanding. Thank you, Terry, for your unwavering commitment to excellence.

So ask your questions! And if you’re curious about understanding wire gauges better, here’s a great article Duncan wrote a while back. It is still one of our most visited pages.

The next time you call Louis Page and Terry answers the phone, ask her any questions you have. Tel: 978-486-3116 or tap-to-call. There’s never a stupid question!

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)

It fried my hair!

During my days working in labor and delivery, I watched one story after another unfold—stories full of humor, delight, and sometimes surprise.

One such surprise happened to me. In labor and delivery, anesthesiologists are essential members of the team. They put in epidurals for pain relief and administer anesthesia for C-sections. Everybody loves the anesthesiologist!

At least two anesthesia carts on the unit were always plugged in until needed. One day, as I was plugging the cart back in, I got a tremendous electrical shock. It just so happened that I had gotten a perm in my hair the day before, leaving it huge, curly, and teetering on ridiculous. Oh, yes, it had brought lots of feedback. My ego wasn’t so big that I minded. We got lots of laughs out of it.

Well, back to the electrical shock. I called the hospital's mechanical department to report the shock, and they came almost immediately to check it out. He found the problem and proceeded to fix it. Now, I’m one for conversation, and I have never met a stranger, so I started a friendly conversation while he was working. I asked him to look at my hair, which he did. Then, I told him that my hair was straight before the shock. His jaw dropped; his eyes got big as saucers, and he exclaimed, “Oh, no!”

Okay, I don’t remember if I ever told him the truth. Oh, those youthful jokes that are lies. I do know that I didn’t tell him that day. As I told the story to my nursing colleagues, everyone roared. We were all sure he couldn’t wait to get back to the guys and tell them what had happened to that nurse in labor and delivery. Once, she had straight hair, and now it’s frizzed with curls to the max!

And if my hair looked wild that day, you should have seen it after a night of dancing on a hot Atlanta night. My friends who were with me that night still laugh about it. Bill asked Lisa after the dance, “What happened to Debbie’s hair??!!??

I don’t think this has anything to do with fencing. If it does, I’ll leave it up to my readers’ imagination to make the connection. I’m sure I’ll hear from someone with a brilliant connection. Let the comments come.

Fall is a fabulous time for fencing projects. Get yours started now! On September 4th, our fence expert, Terry, will have worked for Louis Page for 24 years. Call her at 978-486-3116.

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)