The New Fence

I bought my house in 1992.  At that time, it had no charm on the outside, but it was home.  The next year, a neighbor across the street was taking out a split-rail fence and threw the remains to the curb.  I thought my house could use a split-rail fence in front, so I asked if I could have some of his throw-aways.  No problem, he said, so I grabbed some posts and rails.

As the responsible little new homeowner that I wanted to be, I called the utilities for them to mark out where lines and pipes are buried in the yard so that I wouldn't dig into something in the process of installing the fence.  I bought a used post-hole digger at a flea market.  I was soon in the business of installing three split-rail posts with two rails apiece.

Digging the three post-holes was problematic.  I hadn't figured on all of the tree roots where I was digging, but I managed.  The posts needed to be buried 18" deep, based on the dirt-line of what I had salvaged, and somehow, I managed to "git 'er done".  The posts were straight and sturdy.  The rails needed to be trimmed to fit, which Neighbor Fred helped me with.  And so it went.  I planted perennials under the line of the fence and put bark mulch around them ...and it made all the difference in the world in the appearance of the front of the house!  Even the former owner of this house mentioned to me that she always thought it needed "something" in front.  I was happy!

That was 23 years ago.  The fence was beginning to look aged and worn, with lichens growing on it. About a month ago, I was leaning on the fence talking to someone when the rail gave way and fell into the plants.  A day or two later, another rail fell...and the post holding them up was wobbly.  The time had come...  Good-bye old fence; hello, new!

My yard helper showed up last Sunday with his brother.  I sent James packing with cash in hand to purchase fencing.  Before long, the remnants of the old posts were being pulled out by truck, and the new posts were being installed.  The rails that only come in 10' lengths had to be trimmed to fit, but it wasn't long before I had a beautiful new cedar fence gracing the front of my yard.  I love it!  Now, the task at hand is to change out the perennials under the fence that have been overtaken by weeds and volunteers in the absence of my ability to maintain them.  We shall see where to go with this...

James is here today.  I've sent him off in search of garden blocks.  Not sure how all of that will happen, but I am delighted to have the help.  At least the OUTSIDE of the house will look better.  We won't talk about the INSIDE right now!