INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Although bamboo has a rapid growth rate, you only need to prune it once a year if you do a really thorough job. Pruning your bamboo more frequently can actually cause it to send off more shoots. Mark on your calendar when to start pruning and coordinate it with fertilizing. Branches and leaves can cut your skin in a bamboo grove, so it’s a good idea to wear sturdy gloves, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt. Wearing sturdy gloves will also make it easier to handle and cut the canes. Nodes are where the pieces of the stem join together. You’ll see a slight bump or bulge on the stem shaft indicating this joining. To trim down the height of a bamboo plant, locate a node. Then, position your shears or plant saw right above it and cut across. Making your cut above the node also makes the pruning process easier, as these spots are less thick. Bamboo is very strong and if you cut it at an angle, it can be quite dangerous. Keep your cuts blunt and horizontal to minimize the risk. You should be able to use hand clippers for most cane. However, if the cane is rather large, opt for a pruning hand saw and extension.

SUMMARY: Prune once a year in late summer or early fall to minimize spreading. Wear eye and hand protection. Cut above a node if you are trying to reduce height. Make straight cuts across the bamboo stem.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: As a loner, it can sometimes be hard to get out of the house as you may wonder what you can do by yourself without feeling weird. However, if you think about it you will find that there are lots of things you can go do alone to have some fun.  Going to the movies is a great thing to do alone. Find a movie you've been wanting to see, pick up some popcorn, and enjoy the film. Going to the movies with people is all well and good, but when you think about it, it seems a bit silly since you don't talk to each other the whole time the movie is showing anyways. Try out different coffee shops. Coffee shops have become very popular in the past few years, so there are more and more popping up every day. Take a book or, if you like drawing, a sketchpad. Order a nice coffee or tea, and just enjoy a few hours out of the house. Try out a restaurant you've been interested in. If there is a restaurant you're interested in, there is no reason you should feel embarrassed to go alone. If you're worried that people will stare at you, try to go during an off-peak time. Go for a walk or a run. Another great thing to do alone is just to go out and enjoy nature. Go for a walk or jog in a nearby park and you'll be doing something good for you and your health. One part of going out in public that can make a loner feel nervous is the possibility that someone will try to chat casually with you. If you want to avoid this, put on a pair of headphones or have a book to read while you are waiting around or riding public transport. This will discourage people from engaging in idle chat. This doesn't guarantee that no one will talk to you. Some especially outgoing people are hard to deter. If someone talks to you and you aren't interested in the conversation, keep your answers short and don't ask questions that will encourage the conversation. If you are not used to going out by yourself to do things, you might feel as though everyone is staring at you, which will distract you from enjoying what you are doing. Try to remember that it is unlikely that anyone is truly interested in what you are doing or why you are doing it. As you spend more and more time outside the house by yourself, you'll come to realize that most people are just trying to get on with their day. Although it will take some practice, when you go out to do something, focus on how you're feeling about what you're doing instead of on what you think everyone around you is feeling. If you aren't able to focus on yourself you may find the experience of going out alone just as draining as going with other people. Depending on your work or school setting it may be very easy for you to go days or weeks without talking to anyone. For example, if you work from home you may not have to talk to anyone at all. While this may be comfortable for you, there is evidence that socializing is good for everyone (even loners) from time to time. It doesn't have to be a huge conversation. You can simply chat with someone in your class or at a coffee shop for a few minutes. For example, you can bring up how tough that last test was with a classmate, or you can ask the barista about her favorite beverage to make.
Summary: Go do something you enjoy. Carry a book or wear headphones. Enjoy the moment. Try to chat with someone you don't know every once in awhile.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: You do not need to remove your jewelry when you brush your teeth. In fact, if you remove it, you run the risk of irritating your tongue or having the piercing close up. Tongue piercings heal much quicker than many other piercings, so don't risk removing jewelry at first. Besides, fresh piercings make your tongue too tender to touch. Tongue piercings heal within 6 to 8 weeks on average. After that point, you can remove the piercing whenever you want. Try taking it out when you eat or brush your teeth to help keep it clean. Toothbrushes collect bacteria over time, so getting a new brush reduces the chances of infection. Look for slim toothbrushes designed to reach small spaces. Slimmer soft-bristled brushes are useful for brushing both your teeth and your piercing. Stop at your local drug store or general store to get a new toothbrush. Brushes are inexpensive compared to the cost of discomfort and medical treatment for an infection. Starting at the back of your mouth, position your toothbrush with the bristles facing the roots of your teeth. Take care of the inside portion of each tooth first. Work from the back to the front and repeat with your other row of teeth. Avoid the piercing for now, especially if you just had it put in. New piercings make your tongue very sensitive. Try to avoid it as best you can by holding the toothbrush at an angle. The swelling goes away after 7 to 10 days. Instead of using a back and forth motion, move in small circles. This cleans your teeth effectively without damaging the enamel or hitting your piercing. Continue doing this for a few minutes to ensure you remove all plaque and debris. Brush the inside, outside, and top of each tooth to keep your smile healthy.  As you brush, roll or sweep the toothbrush down from the tops of your teeth to direct the debris into your mouth. Don’t rush! Rushing is tempting, but quick brushing may leave debris that can wear down your teeth or get into your piercing. For great teeth, reach for your toothbrush about half an hour after every meal. This is especially important while your piercing heals, since it clears away plaque and food particles that can lead to an infection. However, stay hygienic by making it a part of your routine even after your mouth goes back to normal.  Acidic foods wear down your teeth if you brush right away after eating. Some examples of acidic food include grains, sugar, fish, some meat, and sweetened drinks. Drinking water after eating or brushing before you eat are ways to protect your teeth.  Frequent brushing is a great way to keep your teeth in shape and avoid some tense visits to the dentist. Keep in mind, though, that brushing too hard or too frequently can wear down enamel. After brushing, floss the space between your teeth as you normally do. Take extra care while working on the areas close to the hole in your tongue. Knocking your hand against it could be painful.

SUMMARY:
Leave jewelry in place until the piercing heals. Use a new toothbrush when you first get your piercing. Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to avoid bumping the piercing. Brush your teeth using circular motions for 2 to 3 minutes. Brush your teeth 3 times a day after eating.