Problem: Article: This method works with just about any type of flower, but you may find more success with sturdy, robust flowers, such as roses, carnations, zinnias, dahlias, and marigolds. Use garden clippers or scissors to cut the stems off of the flowers, as close to the blooms as possible. Choose a container that's big enough to fit your flowers, then fill the bottom 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1cm) with silica gel. You can find silica gel online and in the floral department of an arts and crafts store. Make sure that you won't be using this container for food again. If you can't find silica gel, you can use clean cat litter, or a mixture of 1 part borax and 1 part cornmeal. Keep in mind that these are not recommended for delicate flowers. Make sure that the stems are facing down and the blooms are facing up. Leave at least 34 inch (1.9cm) of space between each flower and the sides of the container. Tap the container's side to help settle the silica gel, then add more silica gel if the flowers start to peek through. How much more silica gel you use depends on how large the flowers are. Tall flowers, such as roses, will require much more silica gel than flat flowers, such as daisies. Make sure that the flowers are completely covered by the gel. Pour the gel slowly so you don't crush the petals. The exact heating time will depend on the type of flower you are drying. Small or delicate flowers will need less time, while large or sturdy flowers will need more time. Start with 1 minute, then check on the flower. Do not over-cook it. Listed below are the recommended heating times for popular flowers: Carnation: 1 minute Rose: 1 1/2 to 2 minutes Marigold, pansy, poppy: 2 1/2 to 3 minutes Chrysanthemum: 3 minutes Zinnia: 4 to 5 minutes Dahlia: 5 to 7 minutes Do this by sifting the silica gel aside with a toothpick and peeking at the petals. If the petals don't look or feel dry and papery, cover them back up, and heat the flowers for another minute. Flower petals will turn darker and more vibrant as they dry. They may look wrinkly. Use a pot holder to remove the container from the microwave. Cover it tightly with a lid, and wait several hours for the flower to finish drying. How long this takes depends on the size and type of flowers. Unlike microwaving, you don't have to worry about over-drying the flower. Listed below are the recommended drying times for popular flower types: Carnation, chrysanthemum, rose, marigold, and zinnia: 10 hours Poppy and tulip: 24 hours Dahlia and pansy: 36 hours Tip the silica gel out to expose the flowers, then lift them out with your fingers. Do not grab the flowers by the petals. Instead, slide your middle and index fingers under the bloom, like a spatula, then lift the flower out of the silica gel. If there is any silica gel stuck to the petals, you can brush it off with a soft-bristled paintbrush or makeup brush. Look for soft, fluffy brushes made from camel hair; they are less likely to ruin your flowers. A matte finish will look the most natural, but you can use a glossy or satin finish instead if you prefer. This will protect the flowers and help them last longer. If you won't use the flowers right away, store them in a box filled with shredded paper. This will help keep them dry and maintain their shape. You can find clear, acrylic spray sealers in the spray paint section of art and craft stores.
Summary: Cut the blooms off of your flowers. Pour some silica gel into the bottom of a microwave-safe container. Set the flowers on top of the gel. Cover the flowers with more silica gel. Microwave the flowers, uncovered, using a full-heat setting. Check to see whether or not the flowers are dry. Remove the container, cover it loosely, and let it sit overnight. Use your fingers to scoop the flowers out the gel. Dust off excess silica gel with a soft brush, if needed. Seal the flowers with a clear, acrylic spray sealer, if desired.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Be active in the way you listen. That is, pay attention to what the other person is saying rather than preparing what you are going to say in your head. Be interested in what the other person has to say and respond in a way that shows you heard. Acknowledge what the people in your life do for you. That acknowledgment shows them that you notice what they do for you and that you appreciate their effort. Your presence is one of the best gifts you can provide for the people you love. It tells them you care about them. Instead of laughing at your boyfriend for crying, let him know you appreciate his emotional honesty. Instead of making fun of your friend for dancing silly in the kitchen, join in the fun. Some relationships will never work well no matter what you do. If another person is being emotionally abusive or just doesn't want to make time for you, it may be time to edge away from that person. You may feel useless in a situation like this one because you may feel like you've failed. However, it could be that you are just not compatible with the other person, not that you have failed to contribute to the relationship. Maybe the other person has issues he or she needs to deal with before she is in any kind of relationship, so you shouldn't place the blame on yourself.

SUMMARY: Listen better to other people. Be appreciative. Be there for the people in your life. Celebrate what makes the others in your life unique instead of shaming them. Break free from relationships that are harmful.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: Try to remember what happened at the moment that you were injured. This may be difficult, especially if you are in a great deal of pain. However, your experience at the moment of injury may provide clues. How fast were you moving? If you were moving at a very high speed (e.g., skiing or running at top speed), there is a chance your injury is a bone fracture. This will require professional medical attention. A lower speed injury (e.g., rolling your ankle while jogging or walking) is more likely a sprain that may heal on its own with proper care. Did you feel a tearing sensation? In many cases you will, in the case of a sprain. Was there a popping or snapping sound? This can occur with a sprain. It is also common with a bone fracture. In the case of a sprain, your ankle will become swollen, usually immediately. Examine your ankles side-by-side to see if the injured one looks larger. Pain and swelling will usually occur in ankle sprain or fracture. Foot or ankle deformity and unbearable pain usually indicate ankle fractures. Make sure to use crutches and go to your doctor immediately. A sprain also often causes bruising. Examine the ankle for signs of discoloration resulting from bruises. A sprained ankle will often feel tender. Gently touch the injured area with your fingers to see if it is painful to the touch. Stand up and gently put some weight on the injured ankle. If it is painful to put weight on the ankle, it could be sprained or fractured. Get medical attention immediately and use crutches. Feel for a "wobbliness" in the ankle. A sprained ankle often feels loose or unstable. In the case of a severe sprain, you may not be able to put any weight on the ankle at all, or use that foot to stand. Doing so will cause too much pain. Use crutches and seek medical attention immediately.
Summary:
Recall the moment of injury. Look for swelling. Look for bruising. Feel for tenderness. Put weight gently on the ankle.