Fences Build Good Neighbors - Part 1: GOOD FENCES MAKE GOOD NEIGHBORS

» aburke123 - GOOD FENCES MAKE GOOD NEIGHBORS

I studied this poem in prep school over 50 years ago, and its meanings ring even truer today as land increases in cost and properties become smaller. I was brought up on seven acres of country land in a small New England town. We children were taught at an early age that trespassing was a definite no no. I believe that strongly still and deplore the general public's lack of knowledge on this subject. Now in my retirement, I live in a small city on less than a quarter acre. How many children have gazed at me in amazement as I tried to explain the concept of property ownership to them -- that this land was mine and they were not to walk on it unless I specifically gave them permission to? And their parents, too! Oh, well -- it may take time, but they do learn eventually.

Sometimes, though, the answer to a neighbor's unsightly back yard and ruffian dogs is a good high barricade fence. I put mine up three years ago. I ran it up the property line from the front of my house to almost the back of the property. There, in keeping with Mother Nature, I had the men install the fence in a graceful arc instead of a harsh right angle and continue on across part of the back of the property. It's as if the fence gently embraces the property. And it certainly gives me a wonderful feeling of privacy and protection as well as many gardening opportunities.

Shortly after my fence was installed, I watched with a smile as my backyard neighbor barricade-fenced his property. Then the house two houses down. Then the one two houses up and in back. And more and more around town, people are putting up barricade fences. I'll be interested to see if they dress up their fences with vines and the like. I've already added a wisteria and three trumpet vines and one honeysuckle plus moved in self-sewn hollyhocks and glads. I wonder if my fellow townsmen feel as comfortable inside their fences as I do?

-- posted by aburke123