Problem: Article: It doesn't need to be a lot of liquid, but your shoes should be totally underwater. If they don't get good and soaked, they might not shrink evenly.  Alternately, you can use a wash basin or large bucket. If your boots are made of suede, submerging them might ruin their appearance. Instead, just wet the inside of the shoes and let them air dry in a sunny space. The damp socks will help your boots shrink to the proper size. They'll also spare your feet from the pain caused by the shrinking leather. You'll want to do this as soon as you pull them out of the tub, because they'll start shrinking right away. Heads up: getting them on might take a little elbow grease. At this point, you can go ahead with whatever you've got planned for the day. As you walk around, the leather will naturally shrink to fit your feet. It may sound uncomfortable, but it's definitely effective. By the time the socks have dried, your boots should feel much better.
Summary: Soak your boots in a tub of water for about an hour. Put on a pair of socks and dunk your feet in the water. Put the wet boots on over your socks. Wear the wet boots and socks until the socks dry.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: No one likes to be criticized. It can be very hard to hear how you’ve failed to meet your partner’s expectations – you might feel unfairly blamed, misunderstood, or attacked. However, think about the reason you and your partner are communicating in the first place.  Keep in mind that your relationship shouldn’t be a power-struggle. The fact that your partner has an honest criticism doesn’t mean that you are “losing.” Tell yourself, in the same way, that criticism isn’t a zero-sum game. The point is to establish some give and take and hopefully improve your relationship. You’ll never be able to accept honest criticism from a partner unless you start to lower your defenses, listen, and empathize. Give your partner the floor, for one thing. Don’t interrupt to deny, refute, or turn back the criticism. This is a huge sign that you’re being defensive.  Try this trick: count to ten every time that you are tempted to interrupt. There’s a fair chance that once you’re done the moment will have passed and your point won’t matter anymore. Count higher if you still feel the urge, to twenty or thirty. Stop yourself deliberately and apologize if you do interrupt. Cut yourself off, express regret for your rudeness, and let your partner resume. People have a whole arsenal of defensive tactics that they use to ignore or deflect criticism. Learn to recognize what these are, how you use them, and how to disarm them. Once you’ve done so, you’ll be better able to listen and create an open dialogue for honest criticism.  Do you placate or outright deny, saying “Sure honey, whatever you say” or “No, I don’t do anything of the sort”? Or do you ignore the criticism or stonewall: “Well, that’s just how I am. Deal with it.” None of these tactics allow for an exchange of honest criticism. Some defensive tactics are less obvious and rely on manipulation. They can include invalidation – “Why are you making such a big deal out of this? – as well as guilting, for instance, “Why are you being so cruel? What about how I feel?” Other tactics shift responsibility to the criticizer: “Maybe I wouldn’t have to be this way if you were nicer.” Notice any other tactics you might use, like excuses or neutralizing the criticism – “I didn’t mean to upset you. You’ve taken it the wrong way.” One big way that people communicate how they feel is through non-verbal signals like body language. Note how you’re carrying yourself, not just what you’re saying to your partner – this means body language, tone of voice, facial expression, eye contact, and how far away you’re sitting.  Maintain eye contact with your partner. Looking away will make you seem standoffish, disinterested, or ashamed. Try not to fold your arms, either, or to face away from your partner. This gives the impression that you’re defensive and closed off. Be aware of your facial expression and try to remain neutral. A raised eyebrow or pursed lips can signal judgment or disagreement to your partner. Use a normal, steady, conversational tone of voice. Raising your voice signals that you are emotional and seeking to escalate the conversation. You may find that you can’t lower your defenses to give your partner a fair hearing. If you’re in a heightened emotional state, you might ask to excuse yourself and resume later. After all, neither of you will get much out of a defensive back and forth.  Say something politely to excuse yourself. For instance, “I’m really sorry Terry. I want to have this talk, but I’m not feeling up to it just now. Can we continue in an hour or two?” Be sure to affirm the importance of the conversation, too, e.g. “I know this is important and something you want to say. I just don’t feel so calm right now. Let’s try later, OK?” Take responsibility for initiating the conversation again once you’ve calmed down and approach your partner to let them know you are ready to continue. Postponing the conversation does not mean avoiding it. In fact, chronic postponing can be another defensive tactic: “You’re going to bring that up again? I’m too busy to talk about it now.”

SUMMARY: Remind yourself it’s not a zero-sum game. Don’t interrupt. Disarm other defensive tactics. Pay attention to your non-verbal signals. Ask to postpone the conversation.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: Lightning often strikes the tallest object in the area, so avoid open fields or any hilltops. Look for a low-lying area like a valley or ravine, preferably obscured from the rain. Take refuge here until the storm passes. Crouch down with your heels touching and your head between your knees: this will make you a smaller target. Do not lie down flat, and minimize your contact with the ground. Lightning can be fatal up to one hundred feet away from the initial strike. Check weather forecasts early in the day, and avoid going to a swimming pool, river, lake, or beach on rainy days. If you find yourself in open water during a thunderstorm, return to land immediately. If you are in a boat and cannot return to safety, drop anchor and crouch as low as possible.  Do not return to the body of water until thirty minutes after the last lightning strike. Any earlier, and the storm may not be over.  Indoor swimming is equally unsafe. Avoid all large bodies of water during a storm. Taller objects are more likely to be struck by lightning. Wherever you are, don't become the highest object anywhere. Avoid standing under trees in a lightning storm, and stay away from tall objects like light posts.  If you're in a forest, stay near a lower stand of trees.  Umbrellas can increase your risk of getting hit if it is the tallest object in the area. Metal conducts electricity, and you are much more likely to get hit. If you are carrying large metal objects, let them go. Small metal objects, like piercings or electronic devices, do not carry a large risk and are safe to hold.  If you are riding a bicycle, drop the bike and crouch to the ground. Most bikes are made of metal and are excellent lightning conductors.  Rubber shoes or other rubber objects will not actually protect you from metal's conducting properties.
Summary:
Stay away from open fields or hilltops. Avoid swimming or watersports on rainy days. Don't stand near trees or tall isolated objects. Avoid metal objects, like fences or exposed pipes.