Summer's Dying: Time to Check Your Fences! 🍂

In E. B. White’s delightful book, Charlotte’s Web, “the crickets felt it was their duty to warn everyone that summertime cannot last forever.”

“‘Summer is over and gone, over and gone. Summer is dying, dying.’”

It’s been a glorious September in New Hampshire, with warm golden days and crisp nights dipping into the 40s. The leaves are beginning to show gold and red. The sound of crickets makes us all think our ears are ringing, but no, it’s the cricket’s song of “sadness and change.” Yes, summer is dying. It always evokes a degree of sadness for me. I love summertime immensely and never get enough warm days in New Hampshire.

“‘How many nights till frost?’ sang the crickets. ‘Good-bye, summer, good-bye, good-bye.’”

The sheep heard the crickets, and they felt so uneasy they broke a hole in the pasture fence and wandered up into the field across the road. The gander discovered the hole and led his family through, and they walked to the orchard and ate the apples that were lying on the ground. A little maple tree in the swamp heard the cricket song and turned bright red with anxiety.”

It’s the swamp maples that bear their anxiety first around here. I noticed today that so many more are bright with color.

Time to Check Your Fences

Take heed from E. B. White’s farm animals and check your fences for damage. You don’t want those sheep and geese wandering around, eating your apples!

Terry is ready for your call! Call her at 978-486-3116 (Tap to Call) and place your order.

Have a salubrious day!

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!)

P.S. Prepare for fall by ensuring your fences are secure!

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.

A Visit with Pig and Phoebe

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.

The Character of Old Barns and Quality Fencing

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.

Your Projects and Stories

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 (Tap to Call).

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.)

P.S. Let’s make your project as special as Pig and Phoebe’s adventures!

How to Build a Fence That'll Stand the Test of Time (Literally!)

I was out driving through New England backroads recently, and I couldn't help but notice all those old fences that have been standing for who knows how long. It's a sight that brings back memories and reminds me of how things used to be done.

The Art of Building Lasting Fences

Back then, when folks built a fence, they were building something that would last. No rush, no cutting corners. You'd see neighbors coming together with good materials, taking their time, and putting up fences that they knew would stand for decades. They didn't just build fences—they built something they were proud of, something they trusted to protect their land and their families.

And here's the thing: they weren't using wire from halfway around the world. American-made wire mesh has been a staple since the 1800s. That same commitment to quality is what we bring to every product we sell at Louis E. Page. We source Chinese wire as well, but it's tough to beat the strength and reliability of American and Italian-made wire.

Choosing Quality Materials

So, if you're thinking about your next project, whether it's protecting a garden, a pasture, or building something for the long haul, we're here to make sure it's done right.

Give Terry, our fence expert, a call at 978-486-3116 (Tap to Call) and she'll help you choose materials that are built to last—just like those old fences still standing strong.

Here's to building something you will be proud of and know it will stand the test of time.

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)

Pass the Skewer and Dangle the Dog

Jerry and Ramona wanted me to come over and enjoy their fire pit this summer. They like to roast marshmallows for s’mores, but this didn't appeal to me since I don’t eat sugar. I called her up recently and suggested we roast hotdogs on their firepit. She was thrilled.

A Hilarious Hotdog Roast

I cooked some fabulous “hotdog” chili, as we called it in the South, made coleslaw, bought my favorite hotdogs and buns, and headed over for an evening of outdoor roasting. Their friend Bill came as well. The guys headed to the fire pit and got a nice fire blazing.

Ramona and I joined them with a tray of dogs to roast. Ramona ran back into the kitchen to grab the skewers. When she reappeared on the scene, I burst out laughing.

“Ramona, those are your skewers?” I exclaimed, looking at tiny metal 10” skewers. “Is this what you normally use?”

“We’ve never roasted hotdogs,” she replied.

“What? I thought you had been roasting all summer.”

“Only marshmallows,” she sighed.

“How will we keep from getting our hands burned with such short metal skewers without handles? Oh, my word,” I declared.

Jerry and Bill were laughing, but Ramona didn’t seem to understand the dilemma. Jerry attempted to explain it to her, but it really didn’t sink in at first.

Always wanting to make the best of a situation, I speared a dog and tried to hold it over the hot coals. I couldn’t get it close enough to cook it. Jerry excused himself to find an alternative. Meanwhile, I looked over and saw Bill was dangling his dog vertically over the coals. I followed suit. Ramona returned, and now she began laughing.

Jerry, a fine woodworker of furniture, rejoined us with narrow pieces of wood about 20” long. His idea was to thread the wood through the eye of the skewer to lengthen the skewer. Bill and Jerry managed to do that, but every time I tried, the blasted skewers with the hotdog rotated upside down. I’m having difficulty painting the ludicrous picture of what was happening. I was laughing so hard. Ultimately, I dangled my hotdog vertically and got a bit of a char on it.

We decided to head indoors to eat.

“Ramona, are you having a chili slaw dawg or a nekkid dawg?” I asked with a smirk.

“What in the world are you talking about?” she inquired.

A Legendary Hotdog Story

In the little town of Lincolnton, North Carolina, there is a famous cafe on the square across from the Lincoln County Courthouse called City Lunch. They serve good ole country cookin, including hotdogs. I’ve been told they sometimes sell upwards of 10,000 hotdogs in a day when supplying a fair or rally. When you order your hotdog, it comes with mustard, onions, chili, and slaw. If you want none of that, you order a naked (nekkid) dog. It’s a family tradition to order these chili slaw dogs whenever I'm in town.

They only take cash, and they don’t have an ATM. A reputable source told me that the late owner, a delightful and friendly woman, Lynette Greer, took the cash home each night. By her death, she had a million dollars in cash in “safe” keeping. Urban legend? I don’t know.

I hope she had a tall security fence, a burglar system, and a fireproof safe for all her money!

Though she dressed simply and didn’t wear makeup, she was a smart, savvy woman and always had a smile for you. She made a fortune selling her hotdogs—the diner still serves up an average of 700 a day, and they fry chicken the old-fashioned way in a cast iron skillet every Thursday.

Fencing Solutions

What do you need to protect from the outside world? Hopefully, you aren’t keeping a million dollars of cash in your house! However, I hope you have a million dollars if that’s your dream. Fences will keep your children and your dogs in and keep the deer and foxes out.

Call Terry today! (Tap to Call) She’s waiting to hear from you!

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.)

P.S. Let’s keep your property safe and secure with the right fencing!

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. It took this friend Dave coming along, to cause a significant shift in the sleeping arrangements.

A Night in the Woods

They arrived by noon that Autumn day, unpacked the car, and set up camp. Then, 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.

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!)

P.S. Let’s find the perfect fencing solution for your needs!