Nothing like a good fence

There may be nothing like a good fence...
   With warm spring weather arriving a bit earlier this year, I have been able to get a head start of some gardening and yard work. I've gotten a bit smarter over the years and do some of the cleanup in the fall after the leaves have fallen and flowers have died off. But even with the fall cleanup,  there is still work to do each Spring.
   I like to garden. It can be relaxing, the flowers add a touch of color to the surroundings and the fresh vegetables taste really good. I would add that I also mow my own lawn, each time cutting the grass in different directions to give it the 'Fenway Park' look.
   Each year we travel to Williamsburg in early Spring to get away from the mud season and hope that the weather there is just a bit warmer. Colonial Williamsburg is known for its gardens, its white picket fences and meandering pathways. We are generally a bit early to see the gardens in full bloom, but it is easy to picture how they will look later in the summer.
   This year I decided to create my own Williamsburg garden look-alike with raised beds and  surrounded by a fence. My yard is not  large so instead of a white picket fence, I decided to go with something a bit more open and airy and since I live in a fairly wooded area, I decided to stick with the natural split rail look. No white plastic fencing for me
   Planning the layout is important. What's even more important is what to grow. The area is not  large so it is important to be sure to plant things that make sense. Perhaps some vegetables, herbs and a few flowers would be a good way to get started.
   Now, I need to add a disclaimer at this point. My wife and I are not new to gardening and we are always learning. We currently have some rather extensive flower beds and scattered around the yard are nearly ninety five hosta plants of various colors and sizes. And one of the things we have learned is that... if  hungry enough, deer will feast upon those large, inviting hosta  leaves as well as many other things we grow in the garden.
   The fence has caused some discussion in the neighborhood. When asked, I usually respond with a smart remark about three new thoroughbred horses or six  Australian sheep. Perhaps we may even  become home to a giraffe from the giraffe rescue association.
   The history of the fence probably goes back to prehistoric times. Some speculate that as   prehistoric men and women attempted to domesticate animals for both food and pets (can you imagine a pet ten thousand pound dinosaur), they used early fences to corral the beasts.
   My guess is that fences became popular when new neighbors  with three teenage kids moved into the cave next door, and the higher the fence the better.
   Fences have always been a part of history and have served many purposes ranging from keeping in the cattle, defining  property lines and creating endless arguments. I believe it was Robert Frost who once said that “ good fences make good neighbors.” I have noticed that more and more people are beginning  to put up fences around their homes. They must be looking for ways to become better neighbors!
   My fence is purely for esthetics and decoration. It will not keep out the deer or the neighborhood kids. It will not protect the crops from being ravaged by  those who seek to pillage the land. But after stepping past  the gate, it will offer an imaginary step back in time and a few quiet moments to admire the wonders of nature.