In a warm climate like Arizona's, building usable outdoor living space is one of the simplest ways to add value to your home and enjoyment to your life. Imagine hosting parties on your back deck. Add a barbeque and cooler and the experience is complete. A deck can easily be added to almost any backyard.
If you are considering a deck, but want something that will require less maintenance than wood, consider composite decking. Usually made from a mixture of recycled wood and plastic resin, composite decking is UV resistant, fade-proof and durable. It has the warm look of wood, but doesn't need sanding or staining every year. Further, the planks can be seamless, cut to your exact desired length. Most composite decking companies offer railings in colors and styles that match, or accentuate, your choice of decking.
The nice thing about this choice in decking material is its long life. When selling your home, something that will require constant maintenance from the new owner will be a turn-off. But a low-maintenance back-yard deck, that will remain low-maintenance for many years to come, can become your homes main selling feature.
Here's another idea: if your deck is south or south-west facing, it may be quite hot and bright in the afternoon sun. While everyone loves a good dose of sunshine, you might consider shading a portion of your deck. Fast-growing vines like Wisteria can be purchased at most garden centers. A young Wisteria vine, planted in the ground right beside your new deck, can be over eight feet tall within three years or less. If you've got a nice arbor for it to grow along, you can control where you want shade. Wisteria grows beautiful light purple flowers in the early spring, and develops long-seed pods later in summer. However, if you have limited space, the fast growing Wisteria might not be for you.
If space and is limited, consider the more delicate Clematis, or perhaps Passion Flower. You may get less shade from the more delicate leaves, but they won't grow as fast or as high as Wisteria. Grape is another vine idea, and can be easily pruned back each year to maintain a consistent size?but this may just be creating unnecessary work. Consider your needs, perhaps ask for advice at your favorite garden center, and you'll find the right shade-giving vine for your situation.
Ponds are another attractive feature on or beside a deck. Most garden stores carry simple pond supplies. Buy a pump with a filter embedded into it, to reduce any labor on your part. These can create a pleasant spray, while keeping your pond clean. Flowering plants add the piece de resistance.
But you don't need to get carried away on deck accessories. A simple, attractive deck is enough in itself to attract a buyer who enjoys the odd back-yard barbeque. In the meantime, it's all your to enjoy.
So, I asked a few of my married friends for their opinion. Members of the selected group are over fifty years old and are currently involved in long-term marriages. Their answer was quite shocking - to me. Based on their personal experience and those of their friends, they think that 90% of married couples are, in one way or another, unhappy with their relationships.
Granted that they do not live happily ever after, as in the fairy tales, this is still quite sad ? if it is indeed true.
Does a cure exist? Maybe there is.
In many olden societies, such as the Chinese, where arranged marriages are commonplace, it is a practice to check the horoscope The Ba Zi of the intended couple are checked for compatibility, before they are allowed to tie the knot.
Is this always a guaranteed solution? It increases the chance but it does not work all the time. However through years of observation, they found out that if you combine it with some conditions, you can increase the chances of having a happy and lasting marriage.
While this wisdom is for everyone, it is even more critical for those with a history of unsuccessful marriages or relationships, to take note.
Some of the applicable conditions are as follows.
Years ago, the husband was always older than his wife. This is like a tradition. You should not be able to break it, because it cannot be broken. Yet the people of antiquity also observed that for people with failed marriages or relationships, going against the tradition - i.e. having an older wife ? can strangely be the answer. The ancient Chinese considered wives "older" than their husbands, even if only a day. Although, for an improved outcome, a greater age difference is optimal.
The other option for a more successful relationship is for the husband to be much older than the wife. To the ancient Chinese, much older means at least 8 years apart. In practice, 10 or 15 years older is perfectly acceptable or desired.
It would also increase the chances if there is a big disparity in the social and economic standard between the husband and the wife. One example would be a corporate officer with a graduate degree married to a women from a humble family and with little education. Is there any other way to do it? A husband being always a breadwinner in olden days it was not possible. As women are earning more than their husbands today,why not?
The second condition applies to ladies only - especially the elderly. If she cannot be a successful first wife, it does not mean that she cannot be successful being the second or third one. Being in the position of being the other person in a man's life, can bring you long term success Being "the other man" might not, however, be such a great idea!
If nothing above works what do we do?
The final option is to have a spouse that is of a different race or from a different culture. For instance, somebody from China and someone from India, or perhaps two Chinese who are from different parts of the country. Having one raised in China and one raised in the United States would be a good example.
These are wise words which our ancestors have left for us. Test it out - in particular, if you have problems in your relationship. You have absolutely nothing to lose!
Both Scott Baxter & Fongsuimy are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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