The Fence Post

80 Chicken Feet and Nine Hours of Work: A Lesson in Quality Tools

I was originally going to use "From Farm to Table: A Fencing Story and Fresh Perspectives" for the title, but I thought "80 Chicken Feet..." was more fun. You be the judge.

This past weekend, I had a front-row seat to a process most people in the USA never get to witness—Daniel and Rachel slaughtered their 40 chickens, and I was on babysitting duty for the little ones. It was an exciting experience watching the entire cycle unfold.

Daniel captured the chickens, brought them to the slaughtering station, and then used an electric plucker to remove the feathers—a far cry from the laborious method my mother once described from her farm days.

Modern Tools, Timeless Values

Once Rachel took over the gutting and cutting, everything was neatly separated—the feet in one bowl, the liver, heart, and gizzard in another, and the chickens in a holding tank of cold water. When the final process of vacuum-sealing was done, their freezer was filled with six months' worth of super nutritious, healthy chickens. She uses the chicken feet when making broth, as they add a tremendous amount of nutritional value.

This firsthand experience made me reflect on how things have changed and the value of working with quality tools—whether it's for farming, food prep, or fencing.

Fencing That Stands the Test of Time

Just like Daniel and Rachel's method has evolved with modern tools, so too has the way we approach fencing at Louis E. Page. Our fencing materials are designed for durability and efficiency, offering top-notch protection for your livestock, poultry, or any project you’re working on.

From welded wire to field fencing, our products stand up to the elements and provide security and peace of mind—whether you’re protecting chickens like Daniel and Rachel or securing your property for years to come. We know that quality counts, and just like they trust in the tools they use for food preparation, you can trust us to provide fencing solutions that are built to last.

Your Fencing Solution Awaits

Looking for the perfect fencing solution for your project? Call us at 978-486-3116 (Tap to Call) or visit our website—Terry, our fence expert, would be thrilled to help you find exactly what you need.

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.)

P.S. Whether you’re farming, ranching, or simply need durable fencing, we’ve got you covered with American-made materials that are as dependable as Daniel’s electric plucker!

It’s All About the Sauce

Daniel had quite the find the other day while walking through the woods—a massive Hen of the Woods mushroom (also known as Lion’s Mane) growing out of a decaying oak stump. And when I say giant, I mean about ten inches wide and almost as tall. It was a sight to behold! If you’ve ever encountered one of these beauties in the wild, you’ll know how remarkable they are. Look it up—you’ll be blown away.

Rachel wasn’t convinced it was edible and sent pictures to a mushroom expert who confirmed: indeed, it was an edible mushroom. Now, I’m traipsing through the woods to find my own Hen of the Woods to share.

Naturally, Daniel cooked up portions of this giant mushroom for several meals, and I was lucky enough to enjoy one. My thoughts? Absolutely delicious. I had two helpings and would’ve gone for a third, but I didn’t want to appear too piggish! The little guy in the family liked his portion with a thumbs up, but the six-year-old wasn’t too thrilled.

“Oh, just keep eating it until you like it,” declared her mom. And you know what? She did. Though, she wasn’t shy about declaring, “It’s all about the sauce!” She found that with a little creative flavoring—thanks to the sauce for the pork tenderloin—the mushroom was much more to her liking.

The Beauty of Real Food and the Right Ingredients

I love how her parents teach her the beauty of real food and how to train her palate to eat almost anything. Usually, after the third bite, both kiddos have changed their opinions and are no longer turning up their noses.

As I sat there, laughing and watching this scene unfold, I couldn’t help but think: isn’t it funny how the right addition can change everything? Whether it’s sauce transforming a dish or the perfect fence adding protection and structure to your property, it’s all about finding the right “ingredient” to make things just right.

The Perfect Fencing Solution

At Louis E. Page, we believe in providing that extra something—the “sauce,” if you will—that turns a good project into a great one. Whether it’s a sturdy deer fence, reliable wire mesh, or decorative garden fencing, we’re here to help you find the perfect solution for your needs.

Just like our little mushroom connoisseur found out, it’s all about choosing the right combination that works best for you! And just like that mushroom, your fencing project can grow into something truly remarkable with the right materials. We source the best fencing options from America, Italy, and China to ensure you have everything you need to protect your property, garden, and even your adventurous pets (like Phoebe).

Let’s Cook Up the Perfect Solution

Got a project in mind or need help finding your perfect fencing “sauce”? I’d love to hear from you! Drop me a line at debbie@louispage.com, and let’s cook up the perfect fencing solution for your home or business.

Call our fabulous fence expert, Terry. She’s standing by and ready to help at 978-486-3116 (Tap to Call).

Wishing you a day full of good food, great stories, and fences that stand tall!

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 find the perfect fencing solution for your needs—just like the right sauce makes all the difference!

Toddling Our Way Up and Down Through Life

I’ve had the absolute joy of watching my one-year-old granddaughter learn to walk over the past few weeks. It’s been a source of endless entertainment—and inspiration. She toddles along, full of determination, only to stumble, fall, and—without a second thought—get right back up again. What’s truly amazing? By the time she’s back on her feet, she’s forgotten she even fell.

No complaints, no whining—just pure focus on moving forward.

Lessons from a Toddler

It got me thinking about a famous quote from Thomas Edison. When asked how it felt to fail 10,000 times before inventing the light bulb, he said, “I haven’t failed 10,000 times. I’ve found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Edison, like my granddaughter, didn’t see his falls as failures—just as part of the process. He kept getting back up.

Watching her, I realized how much we can all learn from that simple act. Whether it’s in life, business, or building fences, we all stumble. But it’s how we get back up that makes all the difference. Like my granddaughter, we should embrace every fall as a stepping stone toward success.

Fencing That Stands the Test of Time

This applies to fencing projects, too. Maybe you’ve tried a fence that didn’t quite hold up—whether it’s keeping an adventurous pup (like my Phoebe) inside or protecting your garden from the local wildlife. But just like Edison, you haven’t failed; you’ve just found one way that didn’t work.

And at Louis E. Page, we’re here to help you find the solution that does work. Our high-quality, durable fencing materials—sourced from the U.S., Italy, and China—are built to withstand whatever life (or animals!) throws your way. So whether you’re securing your yard or protecting your crops, we’ve got a fencing solution that will stand the test of time.

Your Stories and Projects

Got a story of perseverance, or need help with your next project? I’d love to hear it! Drop me a line at debbie@louispage.com, and let’s keep standing back up, one fence post at a time.

Terry is always ready to take your call. Call her now at 978-486-3116 (Tap to Call). You’ll make her smile.

Wishing you a day full of resilience, joy, and standing tall!

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.)

P.S. Let’s build something that lasts—just like the lessons we learn from life’s little stumbles!

Marking Time

“Let’s go measure your height on the wall!”

“Mama won’t let us write on the wall,” cried Isla.

“Oh, she will for this,” I said.

We marched into the kitchen, where Rachel had heard the conversation and had already picked out the wall to use. The three-year-old little guy backed up to the wall. I made a pencil mark and wrote his name and the date: 09/17/2025. Next in line was the six-year-old school teacher. She corrected me a couple of times before I got it right. Now for the one-year-old baby. Then, Dada.

A Family Dinner

We ate a delicious pork tenderloin and grilled peppers from the garden. Rachel is the queen of sauces, and the lemon caper sauce for the pork did not disappoint! A colorful salad of heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, and fennel finished us off.

The baby finished eating early and was put on the floor to wander and play. Within a few minutes, she found the mechanical pencil, headed to the marking wall, and started drawing. Wow! She's smart. I'm grandma, and I'm biased, but this girl is smart!

Daniel quickly grabbed the pencil from her tiny hands and told her, “We’ll save that for next time!”

We all had a good laugh.

The Marks We Make

But it got me thinking about how much we measure our lives by the marks we make—not just on walls but in our daily actions. Every small step we take matters, whether it's building a fence, protecting our environment, or making lasting memories with family.

At Louis E. Page, we believe in leaving the right kind of mark. Whether it’s our American-made wire mesh, fencing products, or service, we stand by the quality and reliability that our customers can trust. Just like the marks on that wall, we’re committed to helping you build something that lasts for generations to come.

Your Next Project

If you’re ready to start your next project or need help finding the perfect solution, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d love to be a part of the mark you leave on your world.

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.)

P.S. Let’s build something that lasts!

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!