In fact, once we installed our gifted picket fence, we discovered it had 108 pickets, a sacred Buddhist and Hindu number, the number of beads on a Buddhist/ Hindu mala. This made us feel cosmically protected.
We have tried to maintain the fence, but we live in a very urban environment, very close to a public school. The pickets have been way too tempting for young boys to use as swords and other weapons of mass destruction. We have replaced innumerable pickets only ultimately supplying an army of middle schoolers with sturdy munitions.
The whole block has gone iron. Sometimes iron with pointed, menacing-looking stakes. We were the last hold outs—until today.
I have to admit that this new fence is actually liberating. It has opened up the space in front of the house especially because we were able to put a fence between our house and the building to the south, as well. This means we will be able to expand the garden without having to worry about stray dogs or marauding kids.
Hmmm, more garden space… well, don’t want it down just yet….
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First an answering machine and now this!
Having lived for some years with people who didn’t “get” the concept of personal boundaries, I’ve become a fence lover. The idea that the other people aren’t barging in whenever they want, but must wait to be invited has become quite appealing to me. From Dirty Dancing – this is MY dance space, this is YOUR dance space.
Fences can make for a lovely symbol, IMO.
It does look lovely. And the afternoon sunlight in the front makes it look not menacing at all — and no spikey posts on top.