INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Whether you're spraying, painting, or dipping the pinecones in a sealing product, you'll want to cover your counter or table with newspaper. If you're using a spray sealer, it's even better to work outside. Once you have your space set up, go ahead with your chosen sealing method. Choose a non-yellowing spray varnish. Lay the pinecones on their sides, then spray them using an even coat. Wait for the pinecones to dry for 10 minutes before rotating them and spraying the other side. Let the sealer dry for at least a half hour before applying another coat. Spray sealers come in many different finishes: matte, satin, and glossy. Choose the one that you like the best. The matte usually offers the most natural look, though. If you don't have any spray varnish, you can try using hairspray instead. Purchase a marine varnish from a hardware or home improvement store. Put on a pair of disposable gloves and hold the pinecone by the tip. Use a cheap, disposable brush with stiff bristles to apply the varnish all over the pinecone, except for the bottom. Let the varnish dry for at least 30 minutes, then hold it by its sides, and coat the bottom and tip. Leave the pinecone to dry on its side. You can apply more than one coat of marine varnish, but you have to let the previous coat dry fully. Alternatively, you can tie some thread to the top of the pinecone, then dip it into the varnish. Lift it out, and let the excess varnish drip off. Hang the pinecone by the string to dry. Wrap some string or thin wire around the top of a pinecone. Dip the pinecone into a can of paint or varnish. Lift the pinecone out, and hold it above the can for about a minute to let the excess paint/varnish drip back. Use the string or wire to hang the pinecone someplace where it can dry. Place a newspaper or tray under the pinecone to catch any drips of paint or varnish. Keep in mind that this method may cause the pinecones to close up again. If the paint or varnish is too thick, thin it with water. Use 4 parts paint or varnish to 1 part water. Melt enough solid beeswax in a crockpot to fully submerge the pinecone. Tie a string around the tip of the pinecone, and hold it to dip the pinecone into the melted wax. Lift the pinecone out, and immediately dip it into a bucket of cold water. You may have to repeat this step a few times to get an even coverage. Heat the wax in the slow cooker on high for 2 to 3 hours or until it melts completely. If you don't have a slow cooker, you can also melt the beeswax in a double boiler on the stove. Let the wax set on the pinecone for at least 3 minutes before setting it down. The more you dip the pinecone into wax, the more visible the wax will become. You may wind up with a yellow or white pinecone.

SUMMARY: Prepare your workspace and decide on a finishing method. Spray the pinecones if you want something quick and easy. Use a marine varnish if you want something more durable. Dip the pinecones in paint or varnish if you want a thicker coating. Dip the pinecones in beeswax as an alternative to varnish or paint.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: No matter where you live or work, you will encounter people who seem like they are out to hurt others. The key is to learn how to deal with these sorts of people. Because they are impossible to avoid, it may help you to identify some of the different types of difficult people so you can decide on the best way to interact with them. They include: "Hostile" people tend to react violently. They can be cynical, argumentative and have trouble being in the wrong. These people thrive in power roles or as cyber bullies. "Rejection-Sensitive" folk look for insults. In other words, they are easily offended. They often use textual means (email, texting) to express their dismay. "Neurotic" types are yet another breed. They might be anxious or pessimistic and often are very critical of others. "Egotists" prize their own interests first. They loathe compromise, are hyper-sensitive to personal affronts and may be ungrateful even when you've done something for them. The other person's behavior is beyond your control, but you get to decide how you will react and whether or not to engage them. One way to do this is by increasing your frustration tolerance, which involves challenging irrational beliefs that may lead you to become stressed, angry or lose your cool. When interacting with someone difficult, you may be thinking, "I can't deal with this person anymore!" Before you react based on this irrational thought, take a deep breath and question its validity. The reality is that you can deal with it. You won't die or go insane because your mother-in-law is trying to micromanage Thanksgiving or your boss is going on a rant. You are strong and you can take it. Your choice lies in how you take it: will you stress until your blood pressure begins to soar or will you take some deep breaths and hand your mother-in-law some carrots to chop so she's occupied? When you find yourself using words like "must," "can't," "should," "have to," "always," or "never," take a moment to reassess that thought. If people continually attack you, it could be that you are attracting the wrong types of people. For example, if you are overly negative, other pessimistic people might flock to you. Try to find friends who are engaged in positive behaviors. When you had negative experiences in the past, what was your role? What were your actions in response to the behavior? For example, let's say your friend Liz constantly picks on you. Do you respond to her? Do you stand up for yourself? It's helpful to recognize your own strengths and weaknesses. That way, when you confront difficult people in the future, you will be better equipped to handle them. One of your friends might seem difficult, but she could be going through a rough time. Instead of judging others' behaviors immediately, practice empathy by stepping back and reflecting on how you would feel in his or her place. If you are sensitive to personality differences, you will be better able to hand diverse conflicts. Practice acceptance by taking a deep breath and looking at the person with as much compassion as possible. Say to yourself: "I see that you are suffering. I accept that you are anxious and scared, even if I don't understand why. I accept that you are making me anxious, too." When you accept that something "just is," acknowledging and accepting that the person is difficult, you release some of the tension created by resistance or trying to fight. Imagine a sympathetic reason for their behavior. You may not understand why a customer just blew up at you for no apparent reason. Instead of becoming angry yourself, consider that she might be suffering from severe, chronic pain, which gives her an extremely short fuse. It doesn't matter if the reason is valid or even very realistic it helps you stay calm and not feed into the negativity.
Summary: Realize there will always be difficult people. Increase your frustration tolerance. Examine your own behavior. Be aware of your perceptions of others.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: This type of fried rice is perfect for fried rice lovers who don't eat meat. Make this fried rice with a healthy portion of scrambled eggs and peas. Make this delicious fried rice with a few strips of bacon and a sliced omelet. Make this version of fried rice if you love adding tasty shrimp to your meals. Make this tasty fried rice with a variety of ingredients that include peanut oil, fish sauce, and chili pepper.

SUMMARY:
Make vegetarian fried rice. Make Japanese fried rice. Make Chinese fried rice. Make shrimp fried rice. Make Thai fried rice.