In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: When scribbling on paper doesn't work, sometimes you can get a stuck ball moving by rubbing the pen on a rubber surface. Scribble on a rubber eraser or even the sole of your shoe. Alternatively, some people find it helpful to scribble on a glass surface (such as a hand mirror) to get a stuck ballpoint pen going again. Sometimes a ballpoint pen will stop writing because there's a space or bubble between the ink in the cartridge and the nib. Hold the end of your pen opposite the nib and give the pen several firm shakes, as if you were shaking down an old-fashioned glass thermometer. When you're done, give it a scribble to see if it works. You can also try tapping the pen firmly on a hard surface, like the edge of a desk or table. If your pen has a wide enough cartridge, you may be able to push the ink down toward the nib. Unscrew the barrel of your pen and take out the cartridge, then pull the cap off the end of the cartridge. Push a cotton swab into the cartridge and apply gentle pressure to the fluid inside. Put your pen back together and test it again. If the cartridge is too narrow to fit a cotton swab in, use a smaller object, like a paperclip. If the cotton swab gets ink on it, toss it in the trash right away so that the ink doesn't spread around and stain anything.
Summary: Scrape the nib on a rubber surface to get the ball rolling. Shake the pen to move the ink down in the cartridge. Push the ink down in a wide cartridge with a cotton swab.

Let the butter sit, covered, at room temperature until it's soft and can be easily spread with a knife. Put the softened butter into a medium-sized bowl. For a dairy-free alternative, try margarine. Olive or coconut oil can also be used. Coconut oil has a very strong coconut taste, and olive oil is liquid so it will not become whipped and fluffy. Spreadable garlic butter can be used right away, or it can be covered and refrigerated for later use, though it will be harder to spread when it's cold. While butter can safely be stored on the counter, unused garlic butter should be refrigerated. Garlic-in-oil is best used immediately, but unused portions must be refrigerated, and should be used within a week to prevent botulism. Garlic butter can be spread on bread, toast, corn on the cob, burgers, or anything else. Substitute garlic butter for any savory recipe that calls for plain butter to add some extra zip, such as scones or biscuits, cream sauces, or to cooked vegetables. Put the garlic butter on wax paper and roll it into a log. Chill in the fridge until it has started to harden. With a knife, divide the butter log into disks that are one-half to one-inch thick. Once it's frozen, these can be pulled out individually and used without thawing the whole log. Cover the butter in the wax paper and freeze for two to three months.
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One-sentence summary -- Soften the butter. Use immediately or store for future use. Freeze the garlic butter for extended shelf life.

Q: You should never attempt to pick up a venomous snake under any circumstance. If, however, you're absolutely certain that a snake is not venomous, it may be safe to catch the snake by hand. Never attempt to handle any snake you cannot identify with 100 percent certainty. If you're intent on picking up a snake that you've confirmed is not venomous, you should wear a thick pair of gloves (sturdy garden gloves may suffice). Just because the snake's bite will not kill you doesn't mean you should chance getting a painful bite. Even a non-venomous snake's bite can be dangerous. All snakes have bacteria in their mouths which, if you are bitten, could penetrate the skin and lead to an infection. As you approach the snake, you should distract it to ensure that it will not turn and strike you. Try to distract the snake away from your reaching hand with a long, sturdy object, like a long tree branch, a wooden yard stick, or a household fire poker. Keep the tool low to the ground and near the snake's head. This should distract the snake, as it will think the object is a potential threat. Using your other hand (which, again, should be gloved), grab the snake's tail and lift it quickly. You should keep the majority of the snake's body flat on the ground until your grip is secure. Then you can use the long tool to lift the front part of the snake's body. Alternately, you can drop an old shirt, towel, or thin blanket over the snake, scoop it up in the fabric, and gently drop the whole bundle into a pillowcase. You can then relocate the snake to a safe outdoor area away from people. This method is more dangerous, though, since you cannot see where the snake's head is, and it may bite you through the fabric. If using a pillowcase, gently shake the pillowcase by the opening to ensure the snake is at the very bottom. If you must set the snake down, be sure you either twist the opening or flip it over on top of the rest of the pillowcase so that the snake cannot easily escape.
A: Ensure it's not venomous. Wear thick gloves. Distract the snake. Pick up the snake.

Problem: Article: For a sturdier drum, you can use a garden pot or planter pot. This activity requires a bit more skill. It might be fun to use with slightly older children. To begin, gather the necessary supplies. You will need a garden pot or planer made with a terra-cotta covering. It should have a seven inch diameter. You should be able to find this at a local gardening or craft shop. You will need a plastic lid big enough to fit over the pot. You can use a disposable food storage lid. You will also need another lid that goes with a sturdy plastic container. The pot should be able to sit comfortably on this container. You can buy a plastic container at a local craft shop. However, you can also use a deli container or a takeout container for soup. You will also need dry beans, twine or string, medium weight twine, a glue gun, craft glue, and brown acrylic paint. To start, loop the twine around the planter in a zig-zag pattern. To do this, use the glue gun to add a dab of glue to the top and bottom of the string on the points forming the zig-zag. Press down on the string for a few seconds after applying glue to make sure it stays in place. If you're working with a child, help him during this process. It can be helpful to show him zig-zag patterns online to get a sense of what he should be creating. A child should not operate a glue gun without supervision. If your child is very young, it's best to operate the glue gun yourself. Once the zig-zag pattern is created, you can add the top of the drum. To do this, you'll need your plastic lid. Apply a thin line of glue running along the rim of the storage container lid. You can have your child do this as well, with your supervision. Press the lid onto the top of the planter. Hold for a few seconds. The plastic container will form the bottom of your drum. This should be painted brown to match the pot. You can have your child paint the container or you can do so yourself if your child is too young. Allow the container to dry completely before continuing. How long the drying process takes depends on how much paint you used and the specific brand. Once the paint is dry, you can create the base of your drum. To start, apply glue to the bottom of the planter. Use a generous amount. Press the bottom of the plastic container against the bottom of the planter. Hold until secure. From here, fill the container at the bottom with dry beans. this will weigh down the drum, allowing it to be more stable when played. Seal the container with the lid when you're finished.
Summary:
Gather your supplies. Make a zig-zag pattern around your terra cotta pot using twine. Add the top of the drum. Paint the plastic container. Create the base of the drum.