INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Because potatoes are a cool-weather crop, they can be planted in fall and grown over the winter in warm climates where the ground doesn’t freeze. In cooler climates where the ground does freeze in winter, potatoes should be planted two weeks after the last frost. Potatoes won’t start growing until the soil temperature reaches 45° F (7° C), so don’t plant the seed potatoes before the last frost. Even though potatoes like cooler weather, they still love full sun, and will do best in an area that gets several hours of light each day. You can also plant potatoes anywhere you like, including directly in the ground or in garden beds. Potatoes will grow fastest when they're grown from a seed potato, which is a potato that has been allowed to sprout. Two weeks before your set planting date, lay out your seed potatoes somewhere that gets plenty of light, and that’s between 60 and 70° F (15.5 and 21° C). Leave the potatoes there in the light to sprout until it’s time to plant.  Use small but healthy potatoes for seed potatoes. If your seed potato is larger than a chicken egg, you can cut it in half or thirds. There should be at least two eyes or sprouts per piece. You can grow any variety of potato you like, but make sure you're using spray-free potatoes that haven't been treated with a sprout-inhibitor. This will prevent the potato from sprouting, and you won’t be able to grow a new plant from it.

SUMMARY: Choose the right time to plant. Pick a sunny location to plant. Sprout your seed potatoes.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Always wash your towels, sheets, and clothes in a different load from other household items. They may spread radioactive particles to other items in the house if you don't take this precaution. Reserve dishes and utensils for yourself that only you use, kept away from other dishes and utensils. Also, wash these items separately from other household dishes so you don't spread radioactive particles to other items. You can use the dishwasher, as long as you're washing separate loads for your dishes. Alternatively, use disposable utensils. If you're using a shared phone, use a disinfectant wipe to clean it after each time you use it. Use a new one each time so you're not rubbing radioiodine back onto the phone. Wipe down any other shared items, such as the television remote.

SUMMARY: Wash your linens and clothes separately from the rest of the household. Wash your dishes separately from the rest of the dishes. Wipe down the phone after using it.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Gratitude boosts positive emotion and leads to better health, happiness, and relationships. To build a grateful spirit, regularly take time to write down at least three good things each day.  Practice this exercise each night as you look back over your day. Note, on a piece of paper, three things that went well or that you are grateful for about the day. Consider why you are grateful for these things. Write that down, too. At the end of each week, look back on what you wrote down. Notice how you feel when reading over these things. Keep this practice up week after week to foster gratitude. Helping others through volunteerism increases self-confidence, gives you a sense of purpose, reduces depression, and improves physical health. Think about what skills or talents you have to offer and how that can translate into helping others. For example, if you enjoy reading, you can offer to read stories to children or elderly people. If you are creative, you can extend your services to helping with a community arts council. Know that you're not perfect - you're human, and everyone else around you is, too. Oftentimes, being self-compassionate is compared to being weak or overly self-indulgent. In truth, practicing self-compassion relates to showing yourself kindness rather than judgment, recognizing your common humanity rather than aloneness, and focusing on mindfulness rather than over-identifying with personal troubles.  One particularly useful way to practice self-compassion is to recite a comforting phrase during times of suffering or pain. For example, if you are down on yourself because you went through a terrible break-up, recite the following compassionate phrase "This is a moment of suffering. Suffering is part of life. May I be kind to myself in this moment? May I give myself the compassion I need?  Research shows that being self-compassionate can result in greater energy, resilience, courage, and creativity. There's much truth to the saying "laughter is the best medicine". A good dose of humor improves cardiovascular functioning, relaxes the body, increases immunity, and releases feel-good endorphins. Get your laugh on by watching a funny movie, hanging out with your hilarious roommate for the day, or sharing a joke or funny story with others. As it turns out, compliments have the ability to boost the self-esteem of the person of the messenger and the receiver. Telling someone else what you like or admire about him simply makes you feel good. But, paying a compliment also knocks down walls in social situations and brings people closer together. Ideas on how to pay compliments include:  Keeping it simple - compliments don't have to be over-the-top Be specific - tell the person exactly what it is about them that is so great Be genuine - give compliments that you truly believe

SUMMARY: Write down what you are grateful for. Volunteer. Practice self-compassion. Laugh. Compliment people.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Light a fire in a fire pit, barrel or campfire location. If your fire is on or in the ground, clear brush and debris from the site. Choose a spot that is downwind and is at least 15 feet from your belongings.  Make sure there is water and a fire extinguisher nearby so that you can douse a runaway fire. Don't build a signal fire unless you are actually in need of help! Gather dried out fallen tree limbs and dry twigs. You will want larger logs and branches for fuel, large twigs for kindling, and small twigs for tinder. Gather dead wood that is thoroughly dry. Tinder can also be made of wadded up paper, bits of wax, strips of cardboard, or wood shavings. For wet foliage, gather leaves, weeds, and grass. If they are not damp, pour a few cups of water along them. Loosely pile the fuel logs at the bottom of your firepit. Stack kindling on top in a tipi, cross, or square "cabin" shape. Don't pack too much in—there should be air between the branches. Add kindling to the top and light with a match or lighter.  Add more tinder as the fire goes. Blow gently at the base of the fire to encourage it. When you have strong fire, you can add more kindling or fuel to keep it going. Once your fire has been going for a while, and shows no sign of stopping, dump the wet foliage on it. Step back several feet and admire the results: a tall plume of billowing white smoke.  If you do this in a remote location, you may attract rescuers. Alternatively, add a paper bag of wet straw. You'll get a smaller but longer-lasting plume. Douse the fire thoroughly with water when you are done. Check on it after the steam clears to make sure it isn't still burning, sparking, or smoking.

SUMMARY:
Set up a safe fire. Get dry and wet fuel. Build a fire from the dry fuel. Pile on wet foliage.