I grew in a small coastal town in Massachusetts. No one in our neighborhood had fences. No, that's not right. There was a split-rail fence between us and our neighbor to the left. Not for privacy, just aesthetics. Then the neighbor behind that neighbor had a chain link fence along two property lines - but they had a Boxer that was very protective of the two boys.Now it seems like everyone has fences. I lived in a Colorado Springs neighborhood where it was mandated to have the back yard fenced and all the fencing looked the same.
I understand country folk needing to fence in their animals although there are several states in the far west with open range. While riding my motorcycle I have run into, not literally: goats, sheep, cattle and horses.
I think I prefer living with no fences...how about you?
Boy that brings back an old, old song: "Give me land, lots of land, under starry skies above. Don't fence me in."
ReplyDeleteMakes me think of the Robert Frost poem: Mending Wall (http://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/mending-wall) "Good fences make good neighbors"
ReplyDeleteYes, I prefer no fences except for when needed to keep animals safe. The fences here on every house took some getting used to, but I understand the need.
ReplyDeleteWe had a fence around the back garden and a thick hedge around the front. That hedge was more restricting than a fence. I could neither climb it nor push my way through it.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in MA and NH with no fences. In CA everyone has a fence. In our first house everyone had a block wall fence, so ugly, but at night they became the freeway system for the opossums and raccoons. It was incredible to watch them scurry along, stopping to taunt a barking dog and then proceeding to their destination.
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I'm so used to living with fences, I don't know if I can live without them. Perhaps if I lived on a large property.
ReplyDeleteThe View from the Top of the Ladder
Yeah, I admit it. I sang your comment...LOL!
ReplyDeleteI had forgotten that quote!
ReplyDeleteHere in Cuenca it's definitely different - at least living on the 6th floor I can look down into the yards (behind the fences). ;)
ReplyDeleteGood hedges are better protection and nicer to look at for sure!
ReplyDeleteWe do get used to things, don't we. I think that's why I enjoy looking backwards at times.
ReplyDeleteLess fence would mean more conversation. We are slowly but surely loosing our communicaiton skills. The fence is symbolic of this I thiink.
ReplyDeletehmmm, not sure how to post for Momspillsthebeans, but thank your for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteI think you are right about the fences and communication. One thing we love about living here in Ecuador is the sense of community. Reminds us of the US back in the 1950's. And thank YOU for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteIt depends. We have neighbors on one side who are both alcoholics. When the weather is warm, which is most of the time here in the low-country of SC, they are outside yelling obscenities at one another and sun bathing in the nude. I'm so grateful for their privacy fence. And, if there were such a thing as a fence to keep out sound, I'd put it right up. :) There were no fences when I was growing up either. But that was a time when we were taught to respect the property and privacy of others. The kids in our neighborhood are not.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in both MA (until age 14), then very rural NH. No fences, we were on 9.5 acres. That would have been a cool thing to watch!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right about the kids and respect....definitely lacking. So very, very sad!
ReplyDeleteI like my garden wild and my neighbours usually don't, I'm not sure I'd be tolerated with no fence. I prefer them to be low and social though. No fences to me looks like suburbia with little individuality but I've never lived without one so what do I know.
ReplyDeleteLow and social definitely works for me.
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