INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Cabbage growing time depends on the variety, but it can take anywhere from 80 to 180 days for a cabbage to mature after the seed is planted. After transplanting the seedlings, the cabbages will need anywhere from 60 to 105 days to mature. When the cabbages start to mature, you can start doing squeeze tests on the heads to determine if they're ready for harvest. The base of the head should be between 4 and 10 inches (10.2 to 25.4 cm) across, depending on the variety. To do the squeeze test, squeeze the head of the cabbage with your hand. A solid and firm head is ready for harvest, but a loose and soft head needs more time to mature. When the cabbages are ready, use a sharp knife to remove the heads from the stems. Cut off the outer leaves and add them to the compost pile if they're healthy.  When the heads have been harvested, place them in the shade or into the fridge until you're ready to use or store them. When you harvest the cabbage heads, leave the stems in the ground to continue growing. Many cabbages will regrow new, smaller heads, and these can be harvested again in several weeks. You can eat your harvested cabbages immediately, or store leftovers for later. Clean the cabbage heads under running water to remove dirt and insects. Set them on a clean towel to dry completely. You can store cabbage by:  Wrapping it loosely in plastic wrap and storing it in the fridge for up to two weeks. Storing it in a cold or root cellar for up to three months. Drying or freezing the leaves. Turning it into sauerkraut.

SUMMARY: Pay attention to growing time. Do a squeeze test. Harvest the heads. Store extra heads.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: To make this type of volcano, you will need a two-liter bottle of cola, a roll of Mentos brand candy mints, and a large open area. Diet cola appears to work better than regular soda (it’s also less sticky than regular soda). Sodas with caramel color look more like ‘lava’ when they erupt as compared to clear lemon-lime sodas. This experiment is best done outside, but if you must be inside, lay down a large plastic tarp first. Avoid doing this experiment inside, as it will create a huge, sticky mess. Make sure your outdoor area is also uncovered since the soda can erupt quite high. Remove the cap from the soda bottle. Warn any spectators to stand back. When Mentos come in contact with the soda, a reaction occurs that causes the carbon dioxide gas in the soda to push the liquid out of the bottle. The more Mentos you drop in all at once, the greater the eruption; however, this can be difficult. There are a few different ways to deliver the Mentos into the bottle.  Method 1: Make a paper tube with the same width as the bottle neck. It should be long enough to fit the number of Mentos you want to put inside. Place an index card over the bottle mouth, place the tube over the hole, and fill it with Mentos. When you are ready to erupt, you will slide the card out, releasing the Mentos into the bottle.  Method 2: Loosely scotch tape the entire roll of Mentos together. When it’s time, you will drop the taped chain directly into the open bottle. Method 3: Insert into the bottle a funnel with a mouth that is wide enough to allow the Mentos to pass, but small enough to fit inside the neck of the bottle. You will drop the Mentos through the funnel and remove the funnel once the Mentos are in the bottle. Getting all the Mentos to fall in the bottle simultaneously is quite hard. If done incorrectly, the volcano will only rise a few inches or so. Practice getting the Mentos to drop simultaneously a few times before wasting your bottle of soda. Once the Mentos drop into the bottle, run a few feet away to observe the eruption!  If using the paper tube method, remove the card holding the Mentos in place and let them all slide into the bottle at one time. If using the tape method, simply drop the piece of taped-together Mentos into the mouth of the bottle. If using the funnel, drop all the Mentos into the funnel at the same time. Remove the funnel once they’re all in and run back.

SUMMARY: Gather the necessary materials. Position the volcano in a large, outdoor area and open the soda bottle. Prepare a whole roll of Mentos to drop into the bottle. Release the Mentos into the bottle and run.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Due to the fact that many parts of the US still have discriminatory practices toward LGBT families, it's no wonder that many people feel insecure about revealing their sexual orientation right away. You may be afraid that it will disqualify you from being able to pursue adoption with that agency. However, it's best to be up front about this important part of your life right away. Here's why:  You have the law on your side, even in restrictive states. Even in places where gay marriage isn't legal, a single LGBT person can adopt. If you reveal your sexual orientation, you'll be able to gauge the agency's attitude and abilities immediately. If you sense unfriendliness or a lack of willingness to engage, you should rule out that agency and find a better one. Every agency has some version of an interview process and home study. These are geared toward getting to know you better, assessing your financial status, and evaluating your home. Before an agency will match you with a child, they want to know what kind of parent you'll be and whether you're financially up to the task. Although this may sound intimidating, the best course it to be yourself. Put your best foot forward and don't try to hide anything.  Withholding any type of important information, including your sexual orientation, can be grounds for excluding you from the application process. You'll undergo a background check, financial evaluation, and more. The process may feel invasive. However, if you feel that the person interviewing you or conducting a home visit is asking inappropriate questions or exhibiting prejudice toward you because of your sexual orientation, this is inappropriate. Inform his or her supervisor. After you've completed your agency's requirements for adoption, they will begin the process of matching you with a baby or child. This can take months, and even years in some cases, but eventually a match will be found and you'll get to meet the child.  If you're adopting an infant, the birth mother will select you based on a profile you submit. You'll usually meet with the birth mother one or more times prior to the birth. After the baby is born, you'll be able to legally adopt the child. If you're adopting an older child through the foster system or a domestic or foreign agency, your case worker or social worker will spend months finding a good match. At the end of the matching process, you will get to meet the child and mutually decide if it's a good fit. Work with an attorney to file the necessary paperwork to complete the adoption. Depending on the state, you'll need to fill out a petition for adoption. After the paperwork has been filed, you'll have a court hearing, during which a judge will decide whether to legally recognize the adoption.  For infant adoptions, the birth mother may need to be present to sign over her parental rights. In court, you may be asked to speak about your intent to love and care for the child as your own. If you adopted a child as a single parent, your partner won't have legal parental rights. He or she will need to go through the adoption process separately before being recognized as the child's legal guardian. If both partners are equally involved in parenting, this is an important step to take for the health and security of your child.  For example, in the event of a medical emergency, a partner who is not the child's legal guardian will not be able to make medical decisions for the child. Other complications involving the child's education, finances, and so on could arise.

SUMMARY:
Be open about your sexual orientation. Be yourself during your interviews and home study. Go through the process of finding a match. Finalize the adoption. Look into second parent adoption if necessary.