Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Buy a potted plant. Situate your plant. Feed your mantis. Maintain the right environment.

Answer: Since mantises might cannibalize each other, purchase a plant for each one that you intend to keep. Pick a tall plant so they have plenty of room to climb. Stick to a small pot, however, so they can find their food at the base more easily.  Choose a plant with plentiful wide leaves so the mantis has adequate shade to escape the sun. Since your mantis won’t be enclosed, be sure to select a breed that doesn’t develop wings so it doesn’t fly away and escape!  If the pot is circular, the diameter of the surface area should be at least three times wider than the mantis’s body length. If the pot is box-shaped, it should be twice as wide as the mantis’s body length and three times as long. Place it on a windowsill so the plant receives direct sunlight and remains healthy. If your windowsill is too narrow, place your plant where sunlight can reach it. Be sure to keep it out of reach of other pets, since dogs or cats may eat your mantis. Collect or purchase other insects with soft bodies to use as pet food. Be sure to use live prey that is only a quarter of the size of the mantis itself. If possible, feed them insects that don’t fly so they don’t escape.  When using a caged enclosure to house your mantis, it’s recommended to keep a continuous supply of food. But since you’re not using a cage, be vigilant with feeding to make sure the mantis is eating regularly. Keep the soil free of fallen leaves or other obstructions where prey can hide. Try using tweezers to offer food. This way you can gauge how hungry your mantis is as well as use prey that is able to fly or otherwise escape. Fruit flies are a popular food for smaller mantises, and crickets for larger ones. Keep the room temperature warm. Mist the leaves and soil regularly to maintain proper humidity. Since you’re keeping your mantis in the open instead of an enclosure, keep a sharp eye on the soil to make sure it doesn’t dry out.  If prolonged sunlight dries your plant quickly on a regular basis, rotate the plant between direct sunlight (for the plant’s health) to other areas in the room where the sun doesn’t reach (to maintain moisture). Between regular misting and the moisture received from eating prey, the mantis shouldn’t need another water source. However, for your own peace of mind if this is a concern, go ahead and give it a small water bowl.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Remove the existing flooring. Check the level of the subflooring. Sand down high spots. Clean and repair old subflooring. Cover the subflooring with a bonding agent.

Answer: If you’re replacing an old floor with a new one, your first task will be to get rid of the outdated flooring material. Use a pry bar to pull up hardwood floors one section at a time, or unfasten carpet or laminate and roll it up from one end. This will expose the subfloor underneath, which is where most leveling problems lie.  You can leave linoleum or sheet vinyl in place if it’s difficult to remove or if removal would damage the sub-floor. Apply bonding agent and floor leveling compound on top of the existing floor. Stripping tile can be a messy, laborious, time-consuming job. Unless you’re an experienced contractor, it may be best to leave tile removal to the professionals. To remove carpet, cut it into smaller pieces using a razor knife. Then, pull it up. If you’re installing a new floor, skip to checking the level and making a note of where the foundation should be worn down or built up. Set down a 6 ft (1.8 m) level every few feet from one end of the room to the other. This will give you an idea of how much work you’ve got cut out for you, and where it’s needed most. A good general rule of thumb is that the foundation shouldn’t slope more than 3⁄16 inch (0.48 cm) every 10 feet (3 m).  If the area is very large, use a long, straight 2 in × 4 in (5.1 cm × 10.2 cm) board and set your level on top of it. If the floor is uneven, lift up the board until it is level so you’ll know how much flooring compound you’ll need to even it out. Floors are rarely perfectly level. It’s okay if the angle is off by a fraction of an inch in either direction. Keep in mind that “flat” isn’t the same thing as “level.” Minor defects may not be noticeable to the eye, but they will be to your level. More often than not, sagging or slanted flooring materials are responsible for off-level floors. Occasionally, however, there will be humps that cause the foundation to rise above a specified height. These can be dealt with by sanding down wooden subfloors with an electric sander, or by grinding them with a motorized angle grinder. Sanding and grinding produces a lot of dust. Be sure to wear eye protection and a facemask or ventilator while wearing down uneven subflooring. Once the subflooring is exposed and free of high spots, prepare it for the new flooring by removing any remaining dust and debris. Vacuum the entire room, especially around the corners where dust particles tend to collect. Mop concrete subfloors with diluted muriatic acid to clear away traces of oil, wax, or adhesive that may be clinging to the surface.  Fill cracks in concrete subfloor and make sure the filled areas are level before cleaning the subfloor. A thorough cleaning is also necessary to get the subflooring ready to accept the liquid bonding agent. Starting with the edges of the room along the molding, spread on a thin coat with a wide, soft-bristled paintbrush. Work your way about a foot out from each wall, then use a roller or mop to apply the bonding agent to the larger area in the center.  The bonding agent will create a chemical connection with the leveling compound to help it set up more securely and last longer. Wear gloves, waders, and old clothing when working with liquid bonding agents and leveling compound. Once these materials get on something, they can be nearly impossible to get off.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Plate it plain and simple. Use cheese. Serve with toast. Prepare a sandwich. Add condiments.

Answer: After each has been cooked to your desire, place the bacon and eggs on a plate. The simple combination of the two will flatter anyone for a great breakfast. For an extra kick, shred a bit of your favorite cheese. You could use a sharp cheddar or even something like pepper jack. Sprinkle the cheese of your choice onto the eggs right after they've been plated. This is a standard for greasy spoon type restaurants. Toast two slices of white bread. Once they're done, halve both slices. Then butter each piece. Place the four slices on the plate with the eggs and bacon. Sandwich is a great way to combine all of this for a meal on the go. Simply acquire all the finished products and place in between two slices of bread. You can either toast the bread or keep it plain. Condiments go a long way for every meal. It all depends on your personal preference. You could use any of the following to your plate for extra flavor:  Ketchup Hot sauce Mustard Mayonnaise


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Take some time apart. Examine your role in the fight. Try to see things from her perspective. Envision a role reversal.

Answer:
Let your mother settle down, and give yourself time to think everything over. Get out of the house if you can, giving both of you the space you need to cool down. Spend time with friends or go for a walk to clear your head. If you are grounded and not allowed to leave home, try other methods to calm down, such as listening to music or talking to a close friend on the phone. Chances are, if you and your mom had a disagreement, you may have said some ugly things to her. Can you see aspects of the fight that were your fault? Did you break a rule? Say a curse word? Get bad grades in school? Or, are you upset with her because she won't give you permission to do something?  Think about your role in the fight and try to identify at least three things you know you did wrong. This will help you to build a genuine apology for her later. Sometimes fights happen when we are in a bad mood, tired, or hungry. Were any of these conditions relevant in your case? Did you fly off the handle with your mom simply because you have a bad day at school? Now that you have a better understanding of the fight and what may have gone wrong, try to view it from your mom's perspective. Was she tired from coming in after work? Is she sick or not feeling well? Did you blindside her with an accusation or offensive statement when she was preoccupied? For years, counselors have used a strategy to help people identify when they need self-care and avoid any heated discussions or decision-making. The acronym is HALT and it stands for hungry, angry, lonely, and tired. Taking a good measure of your own and your mother's mood state in the future can prevent unnecessary disagreements. Oftentimes, teenagers and young adults may not understand their parents' train of thinking on certain decisions. The parents say "no" and that's all you hear. You don't see the underlying rationale for the decision. To help you better understand your mother's actions, imagine yourself in her shoes talking to your own child.  How would you have reacted in a similar fight with your child? Would you have said "yes" or "no"? Would you have tolerated your back talk or snide comments? Would you have listened to a counterargument when your child's safety was in question? Thinking about parenting from this point-of-view will help you to  develop greater empathy for your mom, and also give you some insight into her decisions.