Category Archives: Guest Post

Outdoor wallpapers for your PC

I am so thrilled by my PC wallpaper. I am stuck in a high-rise office and deal with computer work and people. The outdoor PC wallpaper allows me to take mini vacations.

I cannot take the time to go to the nearest park which is too far away. I cannot spend the time wandering on the grass, feeling the earth beneath my feet, breathing in the flower scented air and seeing the trees stretch over head with long protective branches.

With the outdoor wallpaper I can have some of those sensations. One of the scenes is a forest scene with stately trees and the sun creeping down through the branches. Just the calm colors of the greens and browns can relax me. When I look at the picture, the details are so real I almost expect to see the blades of grass move in the wind. If I close my eyes and take a deep breathe, I can almost smell the scent of the damp musky earth at the base of the trees. For 30 seconds I can wander through the forest listening for the birds and feel the sun caressing my face when I move through a patch of sunlight.

When I come back to the office I am ready to deal with the next problem or issue, the next telephone call, and the next coworker with a request. Because I had that time, I am able to ground myself and to refocus on what I need to do to help my coworkers, my boss, my company and myself.

The other PC wallpaper is the ocean. It is a rocky beach with gentle waves curling around the boulders. The ocean is darker than the blue sky and the movement of the water with the darker blues and purples bring to mind tides coming in and leaving. With this one I can almost smell the salt water and feel the breezes playing with my hair.

I have to wonder what about these mini vacation that so rest me and restores me. Is it the scenes themselves and the memories they bring or the peaceful colors of this outdoor wallpaper? Is it because for a few minutes I am far away and alone? Could be if the balancing effect of nature?

I do not know why this works. I just know it work for me. When I returned to work after a vacation with my outdoor PC wallpaper, I am able to work better and faster. I can focus and handle any interruption with more ease and diplomacy.

Related Post

Nature wallpaper

Live bearing fish in a home aquarium

In several other posts we have looked at fish breeding. We learned about fish that scatter their eggs and fish that hide or anchor their eggs. Fish that harbor their young within their bodies are called livebearers. This group of fish sometimes harbors the eggs in the mouth of the parent and sometimes in the abdomen.

There are about 4 species and a couple of sub-species commonly that are used in a fish tank aquarium. Included in this group are Mouth-breeding Betta, Moffat’s, Gunther’s Cichlid, and Black-chinned Mouthbreeders. In this method of spawning, the female drops her eggs and they are fertilized by the male. Then the eggs are picked back up and kept by one of the parent fish in the mouth until they hatch. The mouth of the parent is not only an incubation chamber, but after the young hatch, a place of safety to dash into in case of danger. Watching the young dash for safety can remind one of people rushing into the New York subway during rush hour.

Many more species of common fish tank fish retain the eggs within their abdomen, and include more than 20 species and several subspecies. Some of the more common to a home aquarium are the Guppy, Molly, Swordtail and Platy. Some of these species will inter-breed in captivity. This knowledge has given amateur and professional breeders a field day in producing many variations in colors and bodies that would not occur in nature.

Animals that retain fertilized eggs within their abdomens are called ovoviviparous. Eggs are produced and then fertilized internally by the male as he swims along beside the female, and the fertilized eggs are carried within the abdomen until they hatch. (This is not the same situation as found in mammals. Mammals not only retain the eggs, but set up a nourishment system from the mother to the young through the placenta. Ovoviviparous species simply retain the eggs and do not provide a maternal nutrition source.). Additionally, in some species the female fish can retain sperm cells for many months and as many as 8 broods have been produced from a single insemination.

As a general rule a well-fed mother will not eat her young. This does not say that other fish in a community tank will not feed on the newborns.

Fries can be produced and survive in a community tank. However, if the expansion of your fish population is your goal, a properly setup breeding tank will give you better results.

Related Posts:

Breeding fish in a home aquarium
Crustaceans and larvae as fish food
Fishing games—a sea of options
Fishing as a pastime for you and your family
More about egg-laying fish

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.