Problem: Article: Look for hard, grey, scaly bark with deep grooves and ridges.  The ridges and furrows often mingle with flattened gray areas on the larger branches and the main trunk. The color of the bark may fluctuate somewhat between oak species, but is is nearly always a shade of gray. Some oak bark is very dark, approaching black, and some bark is nearly white. Old-growth oaks, particularly, are distinctive for their impressive size, and in some areas (such as California's "golden hills") these behemoths dominate the landscape.  Oak trees tend to grow fairly large and round, with some reaching heights of 100 feet (30.5 m) or more. Oak trees are full and balanced, and it is not uncommon for an oak's width (including branches and foliage) to match its height. Oak trunks can be massively thick: some species commonly boast a girth of 30 feet (9.1 m) or more. Oak trees can live for more than 200 years--some have been known to live for more than 1000 years. For the most part, the thicker the trunk, the older the tree. The canopy of the oak tree tends to be relatively broad, which makes this tree a popular provider of shade and privacy during the summer months. If a tree has been felled, cut, and split, you may need to consider characteristics like the color, the smell, and the look of the grain.  Oak is one of the hardest trees, which is why its wood is a popular choice for furniture, flooring and other household amenities. Dry oak logs are prized as firewood, as they burn slowly and thoroughly. Again, there are many species of oak, so it helps to know where the tree was felled. If you don't know where the wood came from, you may only be able to tell whether you're dealing with red or white oak. This knowledge should suffice for most non-scientific purposes. Red oak wood will have a red tint and will dry to a slightly deeper red. White oak wood will be lighter in color. Oak wood is often mixed up with maple, but you can distinguish the two by their scent. Maple has a sweeter smell--hence maple sugar--and oak has a heavier, smokier smell.
Summary: Consider the bark. Consider the size of the tree. Identify oak wood once it's been cut.

Problem: Article: Snacking compulsively or to satisfy feelings of sadness is a common problem that can easily lead to unmanageable weight gain. One of the best dietary choices of naturally thin people worth emulating is to only eat when you're actually hungry. If you feel compelled to snack between meals, try waiting 15 to 20 minutes and drink a glass of water. If you still feel hungry after that, you may need to eat. If not, it was probably just a passing craving or a desire to snack compulsively. Hunger is not an absolute. Most people feel sudden bursts of hunger that end up dissipating fairly quickly without food. Try to go several hours without snacking or eating, and keep track of how uncomfortable you actually are. Many people find that if they hold off until the next meal, they don't actually suffer and they feel better for having waited. If you're actually hungry and you're craving your favorite guilty pleasure, there's really no harm in indulging a little. But the key takeaway there is "a little." You don't need to eat a whole carton of ice cream — you can nibble on a reasonably-sized scoop to satisfy your craving without any guilt.  Practice self-control.  Being able to still eat your favorite foods may reduce the likelihood of binge eating.  People who are naturally thin and people who work hard to be fit equally enjoy indulgences from time to time. The key is to avoid over-indulging. Limit how much you eat when it comes to snacks and sweets and you'll feel satisfied and maintain confidence. Thin people exercise, and not just for weight loss reasons. Exercise can help manage pain and stress while also reducing the symptoms of depression and anxiety — all problems that lead many people to compulsively eat. Instead of reaching for a greasy or sweet snack when you're feeling anxious or upset, try going for a bike ride or a long walk to clear your head.  Rather than focusing on being thin or skinny, focus on living a healthy lifestyle.  Experts recommend getting at least 150 minutes each week of moderate aerobic exercise, or 75 minutes each week of high-intensity aerobic exercise.
Summary: Eat when you're actually hungry. Remember that hunger comes and goes. Eat mindfully. Exercise regularly.

Problem: Article: At the very bottom of the chimney, often located in the basement, you should find a small door going into the area under the flue. The creosote and soot will have collected there. Use a small spade to shovel it into a bucket. Reattach the damper handle. Empty it into the waste bucket. Empty it into the waste bucket. Since creosote is a flammable substance, it should not be thrown in the trash.
Summary: Clean the flue's entrance. Use the brush and dustpan to clean up the debris from the fireplace. Use the brush and dustpan to sweep up debris from the tarp or drop cloth. Dispose of the soot and creosote in accordance with your local laws.

Problem: Article: Rubber gloves are useful again for handling gourds that may still have mold or other harmful substances on them. Work in a ventilated environment and wear a dust mask because of the dust inside the gourd. Finally, wear eye protection when using power tools. The way you cut the gourd and the tool you use depends on your intended use. For example, a power drill can be used to make a hole for a birdhouse, or you can cut an opening using hand saws and rotary cutters to make a decorative container. Birds don’t mind the papery pulp and seeds inside the gourd, but you will have to get rid of them when making something other than a birdhouse. Tools with long handles, such as clay sculpting tools, spoons, and screwdrivers can help you reach the seeds and scrape pulp off the walls of the gourd.  When the opening is too small or the seeds are in a tough ball, you can soak the gourd in warm water for 30 minutes. However, it will take several hours for the gourd to dry. Pulp and seeds can be saved for projects such as replanting or pulp sculptures by straining them and letting them dry in a single layer. Depending on your product, such as when making a bowl, you may wish to make the inside of the gourd smooth. Use your sanding tool. Afterwards, you may wish to add primer, dye, or paint to decorate the gourd. Gourd Ball cleaner or a mushroom tool, which is used to cut off the caps of mushrooms, can also be used to sand the inside of the gourd.
Summary:
Put on safety gear. Cut the gourd. Scrape out the inside of the gourd. Sand the inside of the gourd.