Category Archives: Guest Post

How to create an authentic Chinese bonsai look

Chinese Bonsai is a botanical art form that shapes trees as they would be seen in their natural environment, giving the viewer the idea that the tree was not shaped by human intervention. Typical trees used include the Chinese elm bonsai and the juniper variant.

When using the Chinese, or Penjing, form of Bonsai, keep in mind that its principles are far less demanding than those of traditional Japanese Bonsai. This article discusses guidelines that are perfect for the beginner to follow or to refresh the more practiced Penjing artist.

First, the trunk of your tree should measure thickest at the bottom and slowly taper down as it reaches the top of the tree. Second, use a shallow container so that the roots will grow side to side rather than up and down. This will force the roots to peek out from the soil. Many consider seeing the roots as an attractive feature of a miniature tree, since it gives the whole structure a more aged, wisdom filled look. A horizontal root structure also gives the entire tree more stability. Lastly, the branches should be pruned so that they are evenly spaced around the tree. Like the trunk, they should be thicker at the base and thin at the tips. They should appear light and delicate compared to the trunk and root system. Prune your tree so that the first branch is at about a third of the trunk’s height. This branch should be the strongest in appearance.

After designing the shape of the Chinese Bonsai itself, you can work on its landscape environment. Usually, the best view is towards the front of the tree, where it looks the widest. When you have established the most pleasing view, you can find a pot that showcases both the tree’s angle and the decor of your room.

Your pot should be shallow, only as deep as your tree’s base is wide. These pots are available in a large array of styles and colors so you can find one that suits the mood you would like to create. The arts of Penjing and Bonsai may have been born in the Orient, but you don’t have to have an Asian decorating scheme to enjoy them. You can embellish your tree’s landscape with stones, moss, or even a miniature village. Use your imagination!

Chinese Bonsai in the home is an excellent hobby for both the gardening and decorating enthusiast. Take time and patience to nurture your tree and it will be with you for many years to come.

Tent purchasing basics

Whether you are a long time experienced camper or a first time adventurer in the wilderness, you will need a good tent if you are going to maximize your camping experience. A lot of people always worry when they purchase tents because there are such a wide variety of products available. All of them seemingly appear to be decent quality since a tent’s appearance can be quite deceiving, but the true test of a tent’s real value is how it functions in the real world. With the wrong choice of tent, a camping experience can spiral into a cold and watery experience where the camper may never want to return to a campground again, but with the right tent, a camping trip can be very memorable and really fun.

When looking around for a tent you will want to think about what type of camper you are in terms of season and the weather. Three season tents will fit most of your camping adventures as long as you don’t venture out into the cold and challenging climate during the winter months. Three season tents will be absolutely perfect for the casual camper or people who are interested only in easy and light camping during the summer. A first time camper will probably want to go with a sturdy dome tent for their strong structure and the ease at which they can be set up. Dome tents are much shorter than larger cabin tents but the trade off comes from minimal effort in setup and also greater protection from the wind.

Other factors to consider are the material the tent is constructed of and how well the tent is ventilated on the sides and top. You will always want a tent that can stand up to the harsh rain with openings that close tightly, but also a tent with easily accessible openings (possibly thin mesh) for when it gets hot. Remember, a tent can be very uncomfortable if it’s cold and rainy but it can be equally as unbearable with the intense hot sun beating down on it and trapping warm air within. Overall, take into account of what type of tent you need whether it is a 4-person tent or a 6-man tent and with the proper preparation and research you will discover a good tent that will compliment your camping needs.

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Considerations for the best camping tents

The pros and cons of foam attic insulation

Guest Post:

When considering which insulation style to use to insulate your attic many factors must be weighed against one another. One must consider the cost of the material and the labor to have it installed. The usefulness of the product installed also needs to be taken into account, as well as the availability of this insulation type you are after.

A number of different kinds of insulation can be used to insulate an attic. The majority of these kinds are made from fiberglass. Fiberglass insulation is relatively cheap and easy to work with. It does a sufficient job of insulating most areas and can be applied in a number of different ways. There is another type of insulation that is made from foam and can prove to be very effective if used properly.

Foam attic insulation has many pros that go along with its use. This type of insulation comes as a liquid in spray cans and is essentially put on just like spray paint. This type of application means that it is easy to get the insulation in all different types of spaces. There is no cutting or trying to shape the insulation to the required shape involved. Because it is a liquid, every bit of the space involved is filled up without any gaps. This makes for a much better insulated space. The adhesive nature of the insulation also helps to bind all of the framing together better, which is especially important in attics, which deal with the most wind out of all the areas of a house.

Even though so many pros to installing foam insulation exist, there are also many cons too. This insulation type can be expensive to purchase when compared to fiberglass. It is also difficult to install which means that labor will most likely have to be hired to install it. Having to hire labor and pay more for the material makes this insulation style much more costly than fiberglass.

Although foam insulation is more expensive than fiberglass, for use in an attic it will do a much better job. It will leave you with a better insulated and more sturdy home.

Choosing a Compound Bow

Guest Post:

Choosing a compound bow for a new enthusiast can be a tough decision. There are a few major things you should consider before deciding on a bow. This article is intended to give you an idea of what to evaluate when choosing a compound bow.

Axle Length
The axle length of a bow is the total length of the bow. If you are new to the sport choosing a longer axle length bow is best. A longer axle length bow is more forgiving for new users. More experienced users will prefer a shorter length due to its ease of maneuverability.

Brace Height
The brace height is the measurement between the bow string and the grip. A lower brace height will allow a new user to get a better aim but will lose speed. The same can be said vice versa for high brace height bows.

Total Bow Weight
You should consider the type of hunting you will engage in before choosing a bow. Heavier bows can become cumbersome on long walks but tend to make less noise when shot. Lighter bows are louder when shot but much easier to carry. If you will be hunting from a tree stand you might choose the heavier bow because you won’t be carrying it for long periods at a time.

Draw Length
You should have a professional at your local bow or sporting goods shop measure your draw length. Most bows have some leeway and can be adjusted to fit the individual.

Cams
Bow cams store power in a bow. Having one cam on your bow is pretty standard. It can make pulling the bow easier and allows the user more power in a shot. One cam bows have come a long way making two cam bows pretty obsolete.

Limbs
Limbs come in two types, split and solid. This is a personal choice for the hunter. Limbs do not affect the bows performance.

If you are new to bow hunting make sure you try out a verity of bows and test their performance. Also try to find a couple of good compound bow reviews. While store associates can be pretty helpful a bow purchase should be based on your own personal feel for the bow.

Panama hotels – cheap hotels in Panama

Guest Post:

When traveling to Panama you will likely arrive at Tocumen, Panama’s International Airport and the first thing to decide is which of the Panama Hotels you want to stay in. Your decision will be determined by a couple of things: your budget; things you want to do in Panama and what surroundings you prefer.

Cheap Hotels in Panama

If you are budget minded you will want to know about the Cheap Hotels in Panama. In Panama City you’re going to find low budget hotels in the El Cangrejo neighborhood. This is quite central in the City and there are numerous Panama City Hotels to choose from all along Via España. This part of Panama is very busy as it is the main area for both commercial and retail business. there are tons of shops, restaurants and hotels. This is not a tropical seaside locale though. It can appear a bit grungy and scary to the first time visitor but once you settle in the lively neighborhood of El Cangrejo can be quite a lot of fun. One of the best deals here is the Hotel Marbella. For under $50 you get a clean and comfortable room just a block from Via España. Don’t be fooled though El Cangrejo may be a busy and somewhat dirty part of Panama City but it is also home to some of the best hotels in Panama. The Crown Plaza, the Marriott Panama and the Wyndham Grand Veneto are also located in this part of town. Now, if you really want to go low budget there are a number of Hostels operating in Panama City and throughout Panama. But be prepared if you’ve never stayed in a hostel it’s quite the experience!

El Panama Hotel

El Panama is one of the original Panama Hotels. Back in 1946 just after WWII a group of visionary businessmen purchased over 60 hectares of land in this area now known as “El Cangrejo”. The land was originally owned by a Panamanian woman who at the time was living in Paris, France. At the time the President of Panama was Sr. Enrique Jimenez. When Presidenté Jimenez heard of the sale and purchase he requested that the businessmen donate a portion of the land to found a university. He also asked them to sell six hectares of land in the best corner of El Cangrejo  for the purpose of building a luxury hotel. This was to be first large hotel in Panama City it was to be  El Panama. Today El Panama continues it’s fine tradition of being one of the Best Hotels in Panama with over 330 luxurious suites,  35 meeting rooms, restaurants, a huge free form pool with swim up bar, casino, conference center and more.