Problem: Article: Echium pininana, also known as giant viper's bugloss and tower of jewels, produces a 12ft (3.7m) crown festooned with small, bell-shaped flowers. It's a good option if you have a lot of space and need a focal point in your garden. A giant viper's bugloss requires enough space to accommodate its height and at least 3ft (0.91m) of room to spread its roots. Because it's so tall, it needs protection from the wind, so the best planting spot would be by a wall or fence. Since the flowering spike doesn't grow until the second year, the plant needs to survive winter. While it might be able to handle 1 or 2 nights just below freezing, it's not the best choice for colder climates. Echium candicans, or pride of Madeira, resembles the tower of jewels, but it's smaller, with a maximum height of 412 to 8ft (1.4 to 2.4m). If that's still too big, Echium vulgare, or common viper's bugloss, tops out at around 3ft (0.91m). Like their larger cousin, pride of Madeira and viper's bugloss are biennials, which means they typically flower in their second year. These species are slightly more frost-tolerant than giant viper's bugloss, but they still need protection during extended periods of freezing temperatures. If you need to take up horizontal space rather than make a vertical statement, go with Echium plantagineum or a cultivar of Echium vulgare known as blue bedder. Both of these varieties reach maximum heights of 1 to 2ft (30 to 61cm). Like other species, these varieties prefer milder winters and need protection during extended periods of freezing temperatures. However, it's easier to protect them with horticultural fleece than it is covering a 12ft (3.7m) giant. Echium plantagineum is toxic to livestock, so it's not suitable if animals graze near your planting area. Additionally, some echium species are classified as invasive in parts of Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Consult your county, province, or state agriculture department about any local environmental concerns. Whether you go with a tower of jewels or a low-growing blue bedder, all members of the echium family require full sun. Before choosing plants for your garden, observe the amount of sunlight it receives. Ideally, the planting area should receive at least 8 hours of sun from the morning through the early afternoon. If you live in a hot climate, your plants will appreciate a little shade from the intense late afternoon sun. Members of the echium family are better suited to soil beds, especially larger species. However, they can be grown in large containers. They still need plenty of direct sunlight, so the pots need to be kept outside during the growing season. Waterlogged soil will kill any species of echium. If you have dense clay soil, you'll need to dig it out at least 3ft (0.91m) deep and amend it with sand, loam, or equal parts garden soil and perlite. Echium varieties actually prefer poor soil conditions, so there's no need to add fertilizer. Since they're drought-tolerant, species of echium have become popular landscaping choices in dry climates, such as the western United States.
Summary: Go with a giant viper's bugloss if you have space for a large plant. Choose a mid-sized option if you don't have room for a tree. Plant a low-growing species if you want ground cover. Make sure your plants will get at least 6 to 8 hours of sun. Use well-draining, loamy or sandy soil.

Problem: Article: Stir the mixture daily, using a sterilized spoon to push the fruit bag to the bottom. While you stir, check for any bubbling in the liquid. After 5 to 7 days, the wine won't bubble when you stir it. This indicates that the mixture has finished its first fermentation. Remember to store the wine in a cool dark place that that stays between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit (22 to 25 degrees Celsuis.) or an acid testing kit. These two tests help determine what stage a wine is at. However, the high acid content of muscadine grapes makes it unnecessary to monitor this wine like you might monitor other wines. However, if you'd like to use these kits, purchase them online or from a winemaking supply store. If you use a hydrometer to monitor the wine, the first fermentation is done at 1.030. If you use an acid testing kit, measure the wine after 24 hours of fermentation and then once daily after that. The acid level should stay below 7 p.p.t. tartaric. First, remove the fruit bag and squeeze out every last drop back into the wine. Discard the squeezed-out fruit bag. Next, loosely secure a cheesecloth over the top of a clean brewing bin using an extra-large rubber band or twine. Pour the contents of the first brewing bin into the second, filtering out any debris with the cheesecloth. After the wine has been transferred, discard the cheesecloth and any debris inside. If necessary, ask a friend to help you do this. First, place a funnel in the demijohn. Next, carefully pour the strained wine into the funnel, stopping a few inches from the top. If you've made a lot of wine, you may need two demijohns. Next, tighten the bung and airlock over the demijohn. If you don't know how to tighten the bung and airlock, read the manufacturer instructions for the demijohn you purchased. Put the demijohn back into the cool dark place you used for the first fermentation. Allow the wine to sit undisturbed for at least three weeks. Every day or so, gently test the airlock and bung to be sure that they're still secured. If the airlock or bung wiggle around, tighten them again. Otherwise, bacteria and debris may get into your wine. Use clean hands when touching the airlock or bung. After three weeks, closely examine the wine. If you see little to no foam and a layer of dark sediment on the bottom of the jar, your wine is ready for racking. Otherwise, let it sit for another week and check again.
Summary: Let the wine ferment for 5-7 days. Use a hydrometer Strain the wine into a clean brewing bin. Pour the strained wine into a demijohn. Ferment the wine for three weeks. Examine the wine.

Problem: Article: If you want to make sure you are presentable, the mirror will tell you. If your hair looks good, your face looks good, and your clothes are situated like you want, then you are ready. You might need to give yourself a little boost to rise to the occasion of facing the crowd. Try some positive self-talk and say, "Okay, you've got this. You are going to hold it together. We are moving on." The feelings of whatever it was that made you cry might return to upset you again. If you start to feel emotional, stop yourself and substitute a positive thought. Pick a subject matter that is not closely related to the reason you are crying. The goal is to refocus your attention away from issue at hand. Tell yourself, "You are going to think about something positive like how much you love going to the beach. Yes, that is what you are focusing on now." Think about a project you are working on. Make a mental list of the steps you need to take and when you will get them accomplished. Imagine how happy you will be when it is complete. This will carry you out of the emotional darkness you might be feeling. You may not be an actor, but your body doesn't know that. The power of suggestion can be very effective. As you enter the crowd, perk up, smile and tell yourself, "You are feeling good and you are happy." Send yourself on your way filled with positive thoughts.
Summary:
Check yourself in the mirror. Tell yourself you're okay. Focus on something positive. Act like you are happy until it passes.