The Fence Post

Pride Goes Before a Fall (...and I Crashed!)

In the summer of 1980, I spent three weeks in Vancouver, British Columbia. My friend, Betty, and I were attending a course on Proverbs. For our accommodations, we were house-sitting and dog sitting for one of the professors.

The Bike Ride Incident

It was a delightful time. Coming from the hot humidity of Atlanta, this cool weather was a welcome relief. Every afternoon we took the big, enthusiastic, rowdy dog for his walk. On this particular day, I decided to “walk” the dog while riding a bike. My friend warned me of the stupidity, but I didn't believe it and so proceeded.

We had barely gone two blocks before the dog spotted a squirrel and dashed in its direction pulling me into a parked car. I let go of the leash as I was crashing to the ground. Skinned knee, broken watch, dog on the loose, broken pride! I gathered the bicycle and went running after this loose cannon.

The Lesson Learned

I limped home nursing my pride. I could only imagine the lecture and laughs I would receive from Betty. I opened the gate to the fenced backyard and let the dog free in his own space. Betty was sitting in the sling chair reading. She looked up with a smirk. Yep, Betty didn't disappoint.

“Pride goes before a fall,” she said quoting Proverbs.

I often think of that Proverb when I'm halfway conscious of attempting something foolish.

Choosing the Right Fence

There's nothing foolish about putting up a fence unless you don't take time to determine which best suits your needs. Are you fencing in a small dog or a large dog? Do you also need to fence out deer or rabbits?

Call Terry so she can help you determine the best fence for your project. 978-486-3116

Or visit Louis Page online.

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 make sure your fencing project is a success!

I Heard the Trucks Coming Up the Hill…

Shortly after we moved from Georgia to our new home in Exeter, New Hampshire, my 16-year-old son asked me if he could burn the brush he had cut down. “Sure, honey, that’s fine,” I answered. And didn’t give it another thought, until…

The Spoiled Chicken Incident

I was babysitting for Gavin, the three-year-old neighbor, and we were busy weeding the front flower garden. It was getting close to dinner time, so we went inside to put the chicken in the oven. Market Basket had a special on chicken legs, and I had bought a ten-pound bag. As I cut open the bag, the stench escaped. Oh, my gosh!! The smell was awful. Ten pounds of spoiled chicken!

What do you do with ten pounds of rotten chicken? Oh, I’ll toss the whole thing on the fire. We walked out the back door to the roaring fire and threw the chicken on top. Then, back out to the front yard to dig in the dirt.

The Fire Trucks Arrive

It was a hot, sweaty kind of day. Barefoot and dirty, we continued to weed. Then we heard sirens, and Gavin became hysterical! He was terrified of sirens. I assured him that they weren’t coming here, and then they stopped, so he calmed down. Then I heard the powerful engines and knew they were coming up the hill. I ran into the house, caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, and saw my dirty, sweaty face. Out the back door and onto the deck, I spotted a bucket full of water. I picked it up and yelled to David, “Throw this on the fire! The fire trucks are coming!”

I ran back into the house with a crying Gavin on my hip. And I waited. Before long, the fireman appeared at the door and asked if I knew I had a fire in my backyard. “Yes,” I replied.

“Who started the fire?” he asked.

“My son,” I answered.

“How old is he?”

“16.”

“The fire chief wants to talk to you.”

The Fire Chief’s Visit

Let me set the scene a bit more. I was barefoot, sweaty, with dirt on my face and hands, and a screaming three-year-old on my hip! Oh, and the neighbor had removed the stairs to the front porch as he was building new stairs! My license tag was still a Georgia plate. We must have looked and sounded like hillbillies to these New England guys!

The fire chief asked if I knew having a fire without a permit in Exeter was illegal.

“No,” I answered.

He then proceeded to state the various requirements for having a backyard fire. Here’s the best part of all.

“Ma’am,” he continued. “You can burn brush, or you can cook food outside, but you can’t burn brush and cook on the same fire.”

Oh my gosh! He actually thought I was cooking those chicken legs on a brush fire! How I wish that I had a bucket full of barbecue sauce and a mop and could have said,

“Here! Take this mop and go slosh those chicken legs with this here barbecue sauce!”

It was all I could do to keep from dying laughing! Those Southern hillbillies!

Later that evening, David informed me that the bucket of water he threw on the fire had a frog in it. Did the fire chief think I was cooking frog legs as well??

The Versatility of Hardware Cloth

All of this took place before I met Duncan. I met him two years later, and he loved this story! If he were cooking chicken on a brush fire, he would have put down a piece of hardware cloth to cook it on!

Hardware cloth is such a helpful product. It’s available in galvanized, vinyl-coated, and stainless steel. Check out our hardware cloth!

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.)

P.S. Hardware cloth is perfect for all your fencing and cooking needs!

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig

My time in France ended, and I have returned safely to the USA and home. I could easily have stayed longer. I truly enjoyed city life. But upon my return, I was thrilled to see all the leaves in their glorious splendor in rural New Hampshire, and the midges had gone! When I left in early May, the trees were bare, and the midges were awful.

The Beauty of Returning Home

Everything grew two feet while I was away. Though luscious and beautiful, it’s a bit of a jungle. I’m beginning to think a gardener would be an excellent addition to life or a condo where they maintain the grounds. I don’t see myself moving into a condo for at least another twenty years, so a part-time gardener is needed unless I am content to let my property go wild!

I saw some fantastic gardens in Toulouse. All the many city parks had flowers, shrubs, and benches, and people sat and enjoyed their beauty. I wrote many emails sitting on park benches while the children played. I will miss those and the sidewalk cafes with their delicious espressos. I will find ways to work away from my home—in gardens, parks, or the local general store. The challenge for me is to make myself leave the house! I will make it happen, though. It’s good for my well being.

Fencing Up for Summer

AND I will be able to see more fences!

Speaking of which, it’s probably getting time for you to visit Louis E. Page again and “fence-up” for the Summer.

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 make this summer beautiful and secure with the right fencing!

Ramparts, Châteaux, and Miles of Wildlife Fencing

Carcassonne! Oh, my! It’s the great walled city in Southern France. I took the Toulouse City Tour bus east to this medieval citadel, La Cité. It’s the walled rampart within the city—another magnificent structure. I LOVE France. I’ll be back someday.

The Journey to Carcassonne

Along the way, behold completely different fencing—woven wire mesh all along the highway. An interesting observation: I didn’t see any road kill. Though the fencing was the standard five-foot, which I know deer can jump over, I spotted no road kill. Miles and miles of fencing obviously do a great job of deterring wildlife from attempting to cross the highway. Let’s advocate for more fencing along the highways of the United States. I’ll start in New Hampshire. Will you join me in your state?

Exploring Carcassonne

Now, let’s delve back into the adventure of Carcassonne and the incredible Château Comtal. You must navigate past the tourist traps of souvenir shops that line the cobblestone streets. I was so captivated by the surroundings that I wanted to buy wooden swords, bows, and arrows for the grands, but I resisted, wondering how we would fit them into our suitcases.

I walked the entire circumference of the castle, up and down the stairs, peering through the glassless windows. From one vantage point, I could see the Pyrenees and snow on what looked like a ski slope. It was a clear and gorgeous day, and the sky was a fabulous cerulean blue, my favorite. A light breeze kept me comfortable the whole day.

The Beauty of Carcassonne

In one of the castle's rooms, they displayed the large, heavy stones or balls they used in the catapults. The fireplaces were huge, large enough to hold a bit of furniture and several people.

One thing I will buy when we return is the board game Carcassonne. My daughter-in-law and I love a good board game, and according to friends and reviews, this one will delight us for hours.

Woven Wildlife Fencing

Here are our choices for woven wildlife fencing. Find the one that best suits your needs, and let’s start your project!

All my best,

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 make our highways safer with effective wildlife fencing!

Rivers, Stone Fences, and the Brick Fortress

We took the train to Albi, an hour northeast of Toulouse. We passed miles and miles of one of my favorite fences, primarily green, some black, and even white. We crossed rivers and beautiful countryside.

The Journey to Albi

I am amazed at how much fencing contributes to our world. Though we passed a small section of vinyl-coated chain link, most of the fencing was what we sell as Prism Fence. It's super attractive.

The Grandeur of Sainte-Cecil d’Albi Cathedral

As we arrived in the city of Albi, the sight of the Sainte-Cecil d’Albi Cathedral left us in awe. This massive castle-like structure, the largest brick structure in the world, dating back to the 13th century, stood before us. It's also the largest painted cathedral in the world--five acres of paintings! The sheer size and all-brick construction were unlike anything I've ever seen. It's an experience that will forever be etched in my memory.

This massive structure took 200 years to build and is one of the world's most magnificent wonders.

The cathedral's “Treasury” is housed above the main floor, and access is only through a stone spiral staircase. Up and up, we wound to the two rooms of the Treasury, which contained magnificent paintings, icons, and gold treasures of the church.

The Beauty of Stone Fences

One of the cathedral's most captivating features is the white stone fence, a true stone lace that separates the choir from the nave. The intricacy of its details is so remarkable that it's hard to fathom how any human being could have carved it. For me, this unique architectural element is not just a testament to the craftsmanship of the time but a personal testament to the beauty and artistry of human hands.

So, my day was filled with fences inside and out. It was the first time I saw a carved stone fence. I failed to mention that when you stand outside this massive structure on the Tarn River, you can look over the river to the brick factories on the hill. This journey, with its myriad of fences and the grandeur of the cathedral, has left an indelible mark on my memory, and I hope it does the same for you.

Discover Prism Fence

Check out our Prism fence. It’s practical, aesthetically pleasing, and easy to install.

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.)

P.S. Explore the beauty and practicality of Prism fence for your next project!