Irish Woman and I were looking at the sections of picket fence that I’ve put in so far.  Since our back yard slopes downward from front to back, each section has a bit of difference in the distance from the bottom of the first picket to the ground versus the distance from the bottom of the last picket to the ground.  In a couple of sections, it’s more pronounced than others (Hooray for ugly grades!)

Irish Woman – That gap is 9 inches.  So is that one down there and that one down there.  You need to lower all three sections.

Me – No it’s not!  That’s only six inches, and we can build a raised bed there or something to cover that.  It will take me hours to undo those sections and re-do them!  We can live with the way it is!

Irish Woman, patient as ever – No, it’s 9 inches, and that’s too much to cover.  It doesn’t make any sense to put up a fence to keep in animals and small children when you leave a gap big enough they can get their heads under and get hurt.

Me – Fine!  I’ll measure it. Don’t tell me it’s too big a gap.  I know what we can work with.  Let’s see here….. There you see, it’s…… 9 inches.  Fine!  I’ll lower the verdammte sections!  Are you happy now?

Irish Woman – I told you it was 9 inches.  I’m a woman.  I know the difference between 6 and 9 inches.

Me – ………