Don't Know What You Got

Quite often, we hear the term “a sense of accomplishment” applied to any one of hundreds of instances where persons feel a sense of gratification in observing the fruits of their labor. From the student whose first-place ribbon in Science Fair was worth every studious minute to the activist whose campaigning lead to legislative changes, we all have times where we feel pleasantly redeemed for the effort we’ve put in.

I believe, more indirectly, that many of us increase our sense of personal well-being by deriving a sense of accomplishment out of everyday tasks. Nothing so menial as brushing your teeth, say, but generally in changing the state of our surroundings and / or belongings to be more attuned to the lifestyle we wish to be surrounded by. It could be something as simple as vacuuming the living room or folding laundry, but for most it requires a little more elbow grease, if you will, and a greater depth of visual redemption.

Like most boys, I believe my father had me pegged to be his lawn-mowing successor from the very day I was born. Sure enough, by the age of 12 or so he was prepping me for my ascension to family groundskeeper. At first I disliked it. However, after a time I began to savor the moment when I had finished, standing there admiring the symmetrical mower lines and light-green sheen of the freshly shorn grass. I very quickly became much less begrudging as I walked to the shed each time Pops would say “Time to mow’er again, son.” I went through the same progression when it came to washing my car by hand; after a period of time I came to routinely bask in the cleanliness of my vehicle for a good five minutes before taking Armor-All to the tires.

For the past six years, city life and the pursuit of bigger and better things has necessitated an apartment life for me. With the exception of a visit home this past July, I haven’t cut a lawn in the better part of five plus years ( & rest assured I relished it wholeheartedly) as there’s never been so much as a blade of vegetation on any of my decks or balconies. Oh how I’d love to prime the 2.5 on that Toro one more time, and rip at that cord. Similarly, my new condo offers no means of washing my car by hand and, quite honestly, the drive-through doesn’t cut it for me one bit and the wand-wash pales in comparison.

Little things like this, where you can genuinely feel a sense of accomplishment in everyday tasks, interestingly do fall into the adage of “You don’t know what you’ve got ‘till it’s gone.” I had no idea I would miss hand-washing my car this much, and I was almost giddy cutting my parents grass this past summer.

Those of you who are fortunate enough to have lawns, driveways and exterior taps of your own - I urge you to cherish each day you can feel good about completing domestic chores. Further, don’t lose track of the extent to which the proper accessories and elements of your lawn and patio can heighten the effect that a freshly-mowed lawn can have. Just because this summer is ending doesn’t mean you need to wait for the retail stores to re-stock their shelves with these products. With the online shopping revolution, you’re only a click away from Cymax Stores and their impressive and competitively-priced selection of outdoor products.

A Uniflame Portable Outdoor Heater on your patio table will allow you to comfortably soak up your landscaping prowess long after the sunshine begins to wane. An Oakland Living Chiminea / Firepit will keep the flames off your perfectly manicured greens, sure to be appreciated by marshmallow-gorging youngsters during those annual backyard campouts. Consider an Alfresco fountain as a tasteful addition to your definitively weed-free flower beds. Finally, at the end of the season, you can reward your trusty lawnmower with a Classic Accessories Lawn Mower cover for that long winter in the shed.

Jump at the chance to cut the lawn kids. Trust me.

Cymax Hits the Great Outdoors

Summer is finally showing face around here. My flip-flops are out of storage, I’ve switched out my sweaters for tank tops and my pants for shorts in my dresser, and I’ve come to the conclusion that slowly, and not too surely, I am turning into my mother.

My mother’s garden is spectacular. She’s got everything from roses to irises to gladioli and about a hundred more flowers with names that I can’t pronounce. In the summer, she lives in the garden, watering each morning, pulling weeds, and trimming plants. When I still lived at home, I’d watch from inside, with my morning coffee, wanting none of it. When my parents went away when I was a teenager, I was put in charge of the plants, but the only thing I was good at was eating her cherry tomatoes off the vine. On her return, my mother toured her garden with a frown, assessing the damage. Remarkably, she had a knack for bringing back to life the plants I thought I’d slain for good. But regardless of my mother’s healing touch, I was the black thumb of the family.

Over a decade has passed since I’ve lived at my parents’ house, but this is the first summer I will be spending in a new home that I’ve only been living in since the fall. Impressed by the size of the deck, my mother called a few months ago to say she had a “few pots” for the new place. A few pots turned out to be about twenty five, and now the deck looks nothing short of a forest. A forest, full of annuals and perennials (I had to look up the difference between the two), that I have to keep alive.

So far, so good, I’m pleased to say. With the exception of a few snap dragons that are not living up to their strong, fierce name, and blue violets that have chosen to turn black, I’ve done pretty well. Well enough to show them off, even. But the plastic pots looked cheap and all the plants were positioned on the same level, so before I invited over any company, I gave my deck a make-over.

Cymax has brand new products for the outdoors, which suited my deck to a tee. With the convenience of online shopping, I was able to bring even more life to my patio. Without killing a thing, I uprooted and replanted my forest into quality H Potter Sonoma Planters, which are made of stunning stainless steel with a rustic copper finish that highlights my plants beautifully. Now, my flowers are displayed using different levels on artistic Alfresco Home Round Mosaic Plant Stands, which come in sets of two or three, and also on a multi-level Pangaea Victorian Iron Plant Stand. I even bought a garden wall trellis by Rustic Natural Cedar Co. for my honeysuckle, and to add that last touch of blissful summery ambience to my now favorite place in my home, I have a ceramic glazed water fountain.

My plants are thriving and I am very proud to say that I haven’t used an ounce of chemical fertilizer in my soil, but I have added 100% organic and biodegradable CocoLite Bricks, which are a natural alternative to peat moss. Although not a fertilizer, these bricks can be added to any potting soil to help retain moisture and nutrients in plants. I’d like to think the healthy state of my plants is solely a result of my newly obtained green thumb, but I know the soil has every bit as much to do with their success as I do.

So, the ambience of the deck is taken care of on a botanical level. It’s the rest of the deck that now needs work. In order to show off my floral successes, my next purchases will be more new products from Cymax, like a Pangaea Garden Torch to light up the deck for dinner parties, and patio furniture so that my guests can eat, drink, and relax in style. And because summer weather around here can be temperamental, and the evenings still get chilly, maybe even a patio heater.

But the most important part of a garden party? Food and drinks, of course. Cymax now sells outdoor grills, like the Napoleon Grills Prestige, that make summer cooking fun and easy, as you can spend your time with guests instead of running back and forth from the kitchen to your outdoor space. To complete your garden of bliss by keeping those summer ales cold, add the finishing touch of a beverage cooler, and I assure you, your guests will be satiated and delighted.

I am going away on vacation in a few days and have asked my mother to care for my plants while I’m gone. After her initial shock that my plants are still alive, she agreed. I wish I could be there to see her expression when she walks out on the deck. I have a feeling that she will be very, very pleased with me.

Cymax Brings You Something for the Moon Day Blues

The origin of the word “Monday” revolves around the moon and her cycles. It’s Monday today, hence the crash course, and philosophical meanderings, on moon phases.

Tomorrow is a new moon, invisible to the eye, much to the dismay of those of us who are romantic moon gazers. But the new moon phase is essential. It is a time for new beginnings. It is a time of hope, growth, and renewal; a good time to make life changes and to focus on new energies, to end certain life stages in order to begin healthy ones – ones that involve opportunities for healing.

I am a moon gazer; I take comfort in the fact that I can look up at the sky and know that, regardless of how visible, the moon will always be there. And though I appreciate the apparent good that comes with a new moon, I will be the first to admit that I really miss her when I can’t see her.

But a new moon brings a narrow crescent, and the moon will continue through a waxing phase, and then again through several more stages leading to a full moon. Some people have reservations about a full moon – a full moon has generated many myths, which include everything from werewolves to disasters, but I love it. There is a magical feel to a full moon, and I always look forward to this phase, not only because of the power of secrets and mysteries that she brings, but because she shows her entire face. She’s right there, and as I gaze up in wonder, she stares back at me in her full splendor.

We still have a good two weeks before the summer solstice, just days after the approaching full moon. Summer is coming – and not a moment too soon – but moon gazing can be a chilly endeavor. Living on the West Coast, I never know what kind of weather I’m in for, so I always feel that I best to be prepared for warmth. Even in my state of daydreaming (or night dreaming, as the case is), I get pretty cold out there on my deck.

If you are a moon gazer, a star watcher, or a planet connoisseur, you will agree that the ambience that surrounds you is an important factor in being able to seek what you are looking for, hundreds of thousands of miles away. Cymax makes your hobby a little easier for you. With a click of the mouse, you can shop online for the essentials.

Cymax has new products that we’re excited to offer you, and with the convenience of online shopping, we can get you out of your house and outdoors so quickly, you won’t miss a thing. We have fire pits designed with both good looks and for giving off the heat you need to stay comfortable as you are moon gazing. The fire pits have a rustic charm about them that fits in with getting in touch with your basics. Patio heaters are also a great investment, if you are like me and want to prolong the time you spend outside, face turned to the sky.

Staring at the sky, although worth every minute, can be a strain on the neck and back. Our Oxford Garden rocking chairs allow you ultimate comfort and an opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere with an easy tilt as you recline in the chair. The gentle sway of a rocking chair is a natural remedy for the stresses of every day life. And who doesn’t have stress?

On days where the moon is easy to find, we have binoculars that will make your moon gazing all the more better so you can see her intricate details. For the days when the moon hides her face, Cymax has telescopes to help with your search. However, there are just some days where you won’t find her, days where she won’t be visible at all. But similar to what comes along with the new moon, there is always room for hope: You may have to be patient, but she will always be out there… somewhere.