The Fence Post

A Cat Named Pig

I mentioned Pig yesterday. Yes, a big cat named Pig. Phoebe and I went to see him again late afternoon. Pig hangs out at the old, dilapidated barn that is getting a facelift.

Phoebe wasn’t as calm today as Pig perched on the hewn hemlock timbers that Rex is preparing for the post-and-beam barn restoration. Rex is kind enough to stop chiseling and “sit a spell.” That good ole Southern phrase means to sit and visit a bit, especially over tea or coffee. Maybe I will bring him a cup of coffee the next time we visit.

“How did Pig get his name?” I asked. Judging by his size, I assumed it was because he ate a lot. Rex told me he was named by his first owner, a one-year-old redheaded girl. She had a two-word vocabulary, “Mama and pig.” She naturally called her cat Pig, especially since he’s big!

On the other hand, Phoebe wasn’t as impressed by Pig’s history—she was too busy trying to dart around, trying to get Pig’s attention. But Pig, in true cat fashion, ignored her, lounging on the rough beam as if he owned the place. Rex chuckled at their antics, and we all took a moment to enjoy the peaceful scene. There’s something special about these old barns. They have character, much like the people—and animals—that frequent them.

Speaking of character, it reminds me of the fencing materials we offer here at Louis Page. Whether it's the rustic charm of a post-and-beam barn or the sleek lines of modern architecture, the right fence adds personality to a space. And just like Rex takes pride in restoring that barn, we take pride in sourcing top-quality materials for our customers—whether made here in America or sourced from trusted manufacturers in Italy and China.

If you ever find yourself with a "Pig" in your life—whether it’s a quirky pet or a project needing restoration—remember that the right tools and materials can make all the difference.

Do you have a project in mind? I’d love to hear about it! Feel free to email me at debbie@louispage.com. Send us pictures. I love seeing your pictures and hearing your stories.

Call Terry and get your order processed. 978-486-3116. T2C

Here’s to good company, Southern hospitality, and finding the perfect fence for every home and barn!

Kind Regards,

Debbie Page

CEO, Louis E. Page Inc–Woman-owned business and Family-owned since 1893. (131 years of continuous service through 2 world wars and 2 pandemics)

We always make adjustments

We always make adjustments in life. It’s a fact. Our hearts adjust to our level of exertion. We choose the temperature on our stoves required for cooking a particular item. When we are tired, we may slow down or go to bed. We always make adjustments.

Are there any sailors out there? If so, you know the constant adjustments one makes when sailing. Sail, rudder, navigation. That’s the reason I love sailing. To me, there’s never a dull moment. It’s also quite exhilarating when the wind starts causing white caps. The breeze is constantly adjusting my hair.

In life, we must make adjustments every day, whether we are driving, walking the dog, or preparing dinner. Imagine life without the need to make adjustments. It would be boring and monotonous!

This applies to fencing installation as well. A seasoned and expert fencing contractor understands how to make the necessary adjustments to ensure the fence is installed correctly and will withstand weather, animals, and time. The lay of the land requires adjustments all along your perimeter.

When it comes to choosing a fence installer, don't settle for less. Look for Google reviews with four stars or more. Check their website or call them for testimonies. Your fence is a long-term investment, so choose wisely.

When you're in the market for a fence installer, efficiency is key. You want someone who takes the time to make the necessary adjustments, not someone who rushes through the job. Quality over speed is the mantra here.

We work with fence contractors across the country. A good fence installer can be your best friend for current and future projects.

Call us to get your project started. You can install a fence yourself or hire a top-notch* fence contractor and know your wire mesh is in good hands.

*Top-notch: folk etymology says this phrase comes from courting days. If the father approves of the suitor, he sets the candle high, allowing a long burn. If he disapproved, he’d put it low to burn out quickly.

So here’s your jingle for hiring a fence contractor:

The candle is high;

He’s my guy.

The candle is low;

Time to go!

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!)

The Moon is Crossing Between the Sun and the Earth. What are the animals doing?

Let's seize the moment and dive into the cosmic spectacle - a celestial event that won't grace our skies again until August 2026! Let’s go out and experience it. Living in New Hampshire puts me in a fortunate position. Nevertheless, I'm poised in a prime spot to witness the breathtaking allure of the eclipse. Meanwhile, my friends from Atlanta have embarked on a journey to Waco, Texas. One among them, an avid astronomer, is intent on immersing himself in the complete totality of this astronomical marvel.

Scientists ask, “What do the wildlife do during a solar eclipse?” This question came from scientists in 1932 when they called for people to share their observations. If you are interested in observing wildlife during the eclipse, you may notice the nocturnal birds become active: owls hooting, wild turkeys roosting (they are often in my trees from dusk until early dawn), pigeons returning to their cotes (I’m getting frillback pigeons once I build a cote for them.) Maybe your bird feeders become vacant of their frequent visitors, flowers close up, or your outdoor kitties come for dinner.

I’m certainly planning to be on the lookout for the wildlife around me. I’m hoping to see THE eagle. I say THE because I wonder if I see the same one each time. As I was driving across the bridge that crosses the stream, the eagle appeared in front of the car, with it’s huge wingspan (up to seven and a half feet) it seemingly guided me along the road until it diverted to fly over the lake. What a majestic sight. I always think of Duncan when I see an eagle.

For those inclined to share their observations with a wider audience, there's an opportunity to contribute to iNaturalist - an esteemed platform that unites biologists, naturalists, and enthusiasts alike in documenting the rich tapestry of biodiversity. I myself have recently joined its ranks, spurred by my passion for butterflies. With a few clicks, I can explore a treasure trove of sightings, not only of New Hampshire's vibrant butterfly population but also a myriad of other natural wonders.

I’m heading to my son’s mountain top farm where a group of kindred spirits await to experience the solar eclipse. About 15 people made up of young families are coming for a viewing and a potluck, including Daniels’ famous brisket. Everything is still covered with several inches of snow, but the viewing will be awe-inspiring.Already the azure hues of blue birds hover around their houses, so I’ll keep an eye out for their behavior.

As for fencing, I won’t be too focused on that, even though I won’t be able to dismiss the ice damage done to Daniel’s fence a couple of weeks ago.

What do you need from me to make your decision to install a fence easier? We have an extensive catalog of deer, sheep and goat, and wildlife fencing. Check out our website for details or call Terry at 978-486-3116 to learn more.

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)

A Japanese influence in Toulouse

You never know what you’ll find when you walk out your front door or, to quote J.R.R. Tolkien:

“It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.”

We were swept off our feet today as we walked through the bustling downtown. Motorcycles, scooters, and bicycles zipped past us, and the little guy stopped to look at and comment on each one. Our destination was the Japanese garden, about a mile and a half away. It took us over an hour to get there. We were walking at a snail’s pace!

It wasn’t dangerous business for us, and our step out the door took us to a gorgeous Japanese garden.

The gardens were beautiful with bamboo, azaleas, a red-painted bridge typical of Japanese gardens, and yellow irises. Open green spaces encouraged visitors to relax, read, and picnic. A pond that circled an island was home to koi and turtles. Watching the brilliant orange koi eating grass at the water’s edge was amusing.

The Japanese are known for raking sand or gravel to represent water. This garden had a large area of freshly raked gravel that was beautiful. It’s very relaxing to gaze at this. Once in my life, I’ve witnessed a person raking sand and thoroughly enjoying it.

Bamboo grows throughout the garden, and some of the dense patches serve as fences in areas. I spotted vinyl-coated 2x4 welded wire mesh used to grow shrubs and vines. Again, I saw the wooden sand fence used to mark boundaries, but it was only 18-24 inches high this time. Security fencing marked the perimeter of the garden.

We now offer security fencing and can help you decide what you need for your perimeter fencing.

Call Terry @ 978-486-3116 (tap to call) to discuss your fencing needs. She loves to help you!

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)

Rats on the rooftop

Here’s something I didn’t know before one of our customers—a major pest control company—came to us: there’s a real problem with rats on the roofs of commercial buildings!

You read that right: rats love hanging out on rooftops, especially in large urban areas. This pest control company contracts with us to purchase our Italian-made vinyl-coated 16 gauge 1/2x1/2 wire mesh, which they use to build custom traps to prevent rats from causing damage to commercial properties.

The mesh they use is perfect for the job—it’s strong and durable and can withstand the elements while keeping those pesky critters out. Once installed, the traps effectively block rats from making their way into vents, HVAC systems, and other areas where they can wreak havoc. Thanks to the quality of our mesh, the traps are reliable and long-lasting, ensuring the building stays protected.

It’s amazing to think about how versatile wire mesh can be, isn’t it? Whether it’s fencing for farms, securing solar farms, or keeping rats off rooftops, our products are built to handle the job.

If you’ve got a unique project in mind, or you’re just looking for the best materials to protect your property, we’ve got you covered with wire mesh solutions that get the job done. And if you want to learn more, you can always call Terry, our fence expert, at 978-486-3116 for advice on your next project!

Kind Regards,

Debbie Page

CEO, Louis E. Page Inc–Woman-owned business and Family-owned since 1893. (131 years of continuous service through 2 world wars and 2 pandemics)