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!)

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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)

Waddle, Wattle, Twaddle: A Journey Through Words and Fences

Yesterday, a subscriber wishing to unsubscribe from our list referred to the emails as drivel, though he misspelled it as "drivl." What does drivel mean? Nonsense, twaddle, claptrap, balderdash, gibberish, and so on. Those words are hilariously fun! I’m so happy and grateful for his email! It’s given me laughs and fodder.

Unsubscribing Made Simple

Interestingly, he made himself known instead of hitting the “Unsubscribe” button. So, if any of you want to unsubscribe from these emails, please waddle over to do so. We intend these emails for those who desire them. I think we’ve made it simple to do so. If not, let me know at debbie@louispage.com. Or if you want to voice any opinion about the emails, write away! We aim to please.

Exploring the Meaning of Wattle

Wattles have become more prominent along the roads and highways in recent years. I’m reading a Scottish novel that uses the word wattle, which sparked my curiosity about its true meaning. Upon looking it up, I discovered the following definition:

Wattle is made by weaving flexible branches around an upright stake to form a woven lattice. The wattle may be made into an individual panel or formed into a continuous fence. — Wikipedia

In England, Scotland, and Ireland, fence-type wattles are prominent. They make a lovely barrier for gardens and effectively keep wind and animals out.

Good morrow, fair ones: pray you, if you know, Where in the purlieus of this forest stands A sheep-cot fenc’d about with olive trees? — As You Like It, IV 3

We don’t carry wattle-type fencing, so you must make your own. And when you do, please share photos with me.

Wattles for Erosion Control

The wattles I’m talking about along the highways are placed on the ground and used for erosion. Typically, they are long, skinny burlap bags of straw that look like sausages. They catch the sediment and slow down the flow of water.

Discover Our Fencing Solutions

Waddle your way through Louis Page’s catalog to see the various types of fencing we offer. If you don't find what you want, call Terry, our fence expert, at 978-486-3116.

Make it fun if you are interested in waddle, wattle, or twaddle. Take delight in your projects. We are the creators of life! Isn’t that grand? And take pleasure in words. There are so many meanings, so why not enjoy them?

And perhaps one man’s drivel is another man’s delight.

Warmest 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!)

The Shiny, Red Mustang: Harnessing the Power of Focus

Doesn’t it happen all the time? You think of something, and then you start to see it everywhere. I listened to a podcast yesterday where the guest, Mel Robbins, taught about the reticular activation system (RAS). She wanted us to learn how it works to draw things to us. Our brain filters out unnecessary information and only lets the good stuff get through. So, what we focus on gets our energy and attention. Sound too woo-woo? This is science!

The Power of the Reticular Activation System

Mel suggested thinking about hearts, so I started focusing on hearts. Lo and behold, on an hour's drive, I passed four signs with hearts on them. I’d never seen this particular sign anywhere before. It was a red heart that said, “Love.” I saw a cloud formation shaped like a heart and even a puddle of water that resembled one! It was a fun game.

Attracting What We Think About

Then I started thinking about red cars, particularly Mustangs. I walked into a shop to drop off my trolling motor for repair, and there was the most gorgeous red Mustang I’d ever laid eyes on! I mean, she was a beauty! It’s fascinating how we attract what we think about. We had better take care of what we think about! I only want to attract the good things to me.

Focusing on Fences

I always think of fences, so my brain registers them as necessary. I spot them in places where no one else takes notice.

Let Us Help You with Your Fence Project

Let us help you with your fence project. Small or large, we’re here to help you! Call Terry at 978-486-3116. She’s ready to help you.

Choose something you want to focus on today and watch to see how often you notice it. And have fun! After all, it’s only life.

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!)