Liquid nitrogen is 320 degrees below zero, so it's important to take certain precautions to avoid frost burns and other injuries. Make sure that you always wear gloves when handling the liquid nitrogen. Admittedly, it is okay if the liquid nitrogen comes into contact with your skin briefly. In most cases, it will just slide right off your skin. The real danger comes when you try to contain it, like in a fist, or if your skin is already wet. Just be very cautious when handling it. You definitely don't want to get the liquid nitrogen in your eyes. So be very careful when mixing, but still wear protective eye gear just to be safe. Liquid nitrogen is so cold that it can make your finger shatter; just imagine what it could do to your eyes. You want to always be in control of where the liquid nitrogen ends up, so try not to splash it as you're mixing it or when you're carrying it in the container.
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One-sentence summary -- Use gloves. Wear safety glasses. Be careful not to splash the liquid nitrogen.


Starting a religion will require a significant amount of planning. You can start by writing down your ideas about why you want to invent a new religion. Understanding the basic reason for your religion’s existence will be critical if you want it to be successful. You may want to start a religion:  Because you are dissatisfied with ones that currently exist. Because you are deeply inspired and/or have glimpsed secret knowledge that you would like to share. To perform weddings and other ceremonies in your own way. As a joke. To be critical of other religions. If your religion intends to explain broad questions about the origin of the universe, the nature of reality, and the future, you will want to develop a cosmology, which explains all of these things. Your religion’s cosmology might describe things like a creation story and projections about the eventual end of things. Be as creative or inspired as your religion calls for. The name of your religion should reflect its purpose and foundation, so do not choose it carelessly. Think about the central beliefs or messages of your religion, and try to reflect these in the word or phrase that will serve as its name. Names for religions invented in the past include:  Discordianism The Church of All Worlds The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster Scientology Eckankar These might explain things like how it views relationships between people (Should you be charitable toward others? Act on your own interests?). These principles might also contain philosophical arguments, which can explain how your religion views the world differently than others. For instance, your religion’s principles might contain arguments proving the existence of its god(s), if any. If you want to, write a sacred text or holy book that explains all these things. Once your religion’s core ideas are worked out, you can start inviting other people to join you. Many experts suggest working slowly at first. You might talk to some of your own acquaintances, then build from there by word of mouth. When you have a trusted and fairly stable group, you can work with them to develop bylaws that explain how your religion will be organized and managed. Followers of your religion might start out by meeting at your home (or someone else’s). As it grows, you might look for a place that is more public, such as a café, a park, or somewhere else that is convenient. As your religion grows, you may look into more permanent meeting place, such as a rented or purchased building. If you are looking for inspiration while planning your religion, you can look into histories of other religions. Studying the world’s major religions can give you ideas, but you can also read about more recent examples of invented religions, such as:  L. Ron Hubbard’s Scientology. The Church of All Worlds, inspired by Robert Heinlein’s science fiction novel Stranger in a Strange Land. Discordianism, and its foundational text Principia Discorda.
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One-sentence summary -- Write a plan. Develop a cosmology. Select a name for your religion. Develop a list of your religion’s core tenets. Talk to people about your religion. Find a meeting place. Read about historical examples.


Thyme will bloom with tiny white, lavender or pink flowers. If you grow  your thyme for culinary purposes, you’ll get the most potent flavor from the herbs if you harvest right before the flowers begin to open. As for the flowers themselves, feel free to pinch them off if you like. This will stimulate the production of more leaves. However, the flavor of thyme won’t be negatively affected if you allow your plants to bloom. If you enjoy the way the flowers look, allow them to grow freely. You can harvest thyme at any point in the year, although the flavor is usually the best in June or July. This is when the flavor is most concentrated. Cut off fresh green sprigs in the morning. Leave behind the woody parts of the stalk. Strip the tiny leaves off the stems before using them.  When trimming off sprigs, always try to leave behind at least five inches of growth on the plant. This will help it continue to flourish. The more you trim and prune your thyme, the more it will grow. Regular trimming will also make your plants grow in a more rounded shape.  Check an almanac or online to see when the first frost usually occurs in your area. Stop cutting thyme about two weeks before this date. Hang the sprigs in a dark, well-ventilated area to dry them. You can also dry them by laying them out on a tray and putting them in a food dehydrator. Once the pieces dry out completely, the leaves will easily fall off the stems. After you’ve removed the dried leaves, store them in an airtight container until you’re ready to use them. You can also store your dried thyme in the freezer or preserved in oil or vinegar.
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One-sentence summary --
Harvest thyme just before the plant flowers for the best flavor. Clip off sprigs off as needed using scissors or pruning shears. Dry the harvested thyme sprigs somewhere warm and shady.