Summarize the following:
Not only is it easier to cut branches with sharp tools, it's also better for the tree. A clean cut heals faster, allowing the plant to devote its energy to bearing fruit and resisting disease and insects. To sharpen your tools, use a carborundum stone or diamond file and always take precautions to prevent injuries. All diseased, damaged, or dead branches should be removed to allow the tree to put its energy toward developing healthy branches and fruit. Cut the branches as close to the base as possible. Bag and dispose of these branches to prevent the disease from spreading. To prevent disease from spreading, you should always clean your tools after cutting diseased branches. Use bleach or 10% methylated spirit water to disinfect the tools, then rinse them thoroughly with tap water and dry them with a clean cloth, taking care not to cut yourself. If you use bleach, be sure to dilute it first. Mix 1 part bleach with 9 parts water before disinfecting your shears. Weak branches will be unable to hold the weight of the fruit, so it's best to remove them before they break. Crossed or tangled branches rub together, removing the bark and exposing the wood to diseases and pests. To avoid these issues, make sure to remove them at the base of the branch. Long branches and those that stick out above the canopy can be trimmed. So can those that skim, or almost skim, the ground, as these branches are most susceptible to fungus and disease. Aim to lift the “skirt,” or bottom of the tree, 3.3 feet (1.0 m) from the ground. Make the cuts 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm) above the bud for best results. The goal is to create an attractive, balanced tree. While long or unruly branches can be trimmed from the canopy, you should avoid lacing a citrus tree. Lacing means opening up the canopy to allow sunlight to reach the interior of the tree. Some fruit trees, like plum and peach trees, benefit from lacing, but lime trees do not. Let the canopy grow naturally to prevent the tree from getting sunburned.

summary: Sharpen your shears or loppers before pruning the tree. Remove dead, damaged, and diseased branches at their base. Disinfect your shears or loppers after removing diseased branches. Thin out areas with weak, crossed, or tangled branches. Trim branches that go beyond the desired size and shape of the tree. Avoid opening up the tree's canopy.


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When push comes to shove, you need to look out for yourself. If a difficult relative becomes too much to handle, enforce your personal boundaries. Boundaries are the limitations you set with others to protect your own health and well-being. Let your relative know that they are violating these boundaries and that you need space. For example, say something like, “Uncle Ralph, please call me before you drop in for a visit. I love seeing you, but it’s not always a good time for me to have guests over, and I need advance notice.” If your difficult relatives continue to violate your boundaries, you will need to assert yourself. Depending on your boundaries, you might decide to finally speak up for yourself and verbalize your limitations to a difficult family member. For example, maybe a family member is demanding too much of you. You might say, "Aunt Lisa, I'm doing the best I can. I really need you to back off and let me handle this. Micromanaging me is only making it worse for us both." If your relatives are getting under your skin, you might decide to take a few days away to clear your head. This is perfectly acceptable if it's what you need to do to manage stress or minimize conflict. Let your family know your intentions by saying something like "This is all becoming a bit much for me. I need a break. I'm going back into the city for the weekend to clear my head." If you feel alone in coping with a difficult relative, it may help to reach out to others in the family. By forming alliances, you can bounce ideas off one another and come up with more effective ways of dealing with the difficulties. Plus, if someone else understands how you’re feeling, you won’t feel alone. For instance, talk to your sibling by saying, “I’m going to need some support in dealing with Cousin Harriet this weekend. Do you mind serving as my backup?” No one can understand the dysfunction within a family like its members. Sometimes it helps to go outside the family to vent your frustrations or simply take your mind off things, however. People outside the family may also be more objective about the situation. Lean on your closest friends when you need to decompress. Ask your best friend to go out for drinks in the midst of your family reunion. You’ll look forward to escaping and have someone unbiased to talk to. If difficult family members threaten your mental health and well-being, you might have no choice but to cut contact with them altogether. Spending too much time worrying about your family members or trying to fix their problems can consume your life.  You might cut ties with the difficult person completely or you might simply choose to no longer allow yourself to be pulled into the chaos they create.  For example, if you have a family member who is addicted to drugs and refuses to get help, you might say, "I'm sorry, but I have to get some distance for myself and my family. I don't want my children in this environment." Choose which aspect of "breaking ties" best suits your situation and communicate your wishes to everyone involved. You don’t necessarily have to cut off contact permanently. Sometimes you just need a little time and distance to regain balance in the relationship.

summary: Enforce your boundaries. Stand up for yourself. Take a break from spending time with family. Get some allies within the family. Lean on outsiders for support. Cut ties, if you need to.


Summarize the following:
Pour a bottle or can of beer into a jug or bowl and let it sit overnight or throughout the day. The more air surface your beer is exposed to, the faster it will oxidize and become flat. Beer becomes flat by releasing the carbon dioxide it creates. It's important that the carbon dioxide is gone from the beer when using it to treat hair as carbon dioxide combined with water can create hard water or water with a high mineral content. The presence of carbon dioxide can hinder the effects of shampoos and make it harder for you to wash your hair effectively. As well, hard water causes the scales on each hair to stand up, making your hair look tangled and tough. Use whatever shampoo you normally use but skip the conditioner. The beer will act as your conditioner instead. You can transfer your flat beer into a closed container or bottle and bring it with you into the bathroom or somewhere you can easily reach for while in the shower. Pour the container or bottle of beer onto your hair and lather it into your scalp.  Beer is also very beneficial for your skin as beer sediment or brewer's yeast helps reduce sebum production and control oily skin on your face or scalp. You can also try dipping the ends of your hair with beer first, letting it set in your hair for about 5 minutes before rinsing your entire head with beer. It's recommended you don't rinse the beer off completely and leave it in your hair for a better effect. Towel dry your hair afterwards.  It may take a few washes before you can feel and see results. It's best to only do the beer wash a few times a week as it can be quite drying for hair if used everyday.
summary: De-carbonate your beer. Shampoo your hair. Massage your hair with beer for 1 minute. Rinse the beer off.