【推荐1】In many countries, salt is used to remove dangerous ice from roads and walkways in the winter. But when the spring arrives, all that salt can really damage plants in the garden. That is because water is pulled from living cells, like plant roots and the healthy ground soil around them.     1     Or, in the worst cases, plants may simply die.

Rain can help by washing away much of the salt, so that some older plants survive. Salt can also be removed by pouring a large amount of water on the ground where plants are growing.     2    

Some other things, of course, can be used in place of sodium chloride (NaCl). One is the chemical calcium chloride (CaCl₂). It does less damage to plants and melts ice faster than salt.     3     Salt loses some of its effectiveness at temperatures below negative 12 degrees.

Calcium magnesium acetate, also called CMA, has become a popular alternative. It is made by combining limestone, a type of rock, and vinegar. It breaks down naturally so it does not damage plants or soil. It stays on roads and does not hurt cars.     4     It is most effective at around negative 9 Celsius, just like salt. And it is better at stopping ice from forming rather than removing it. So, it is best placed on a road before the temperature gets very cold.

    5     This involves using a combination of materials, such as salt and a bit of sand. If this mixture is used before ice forms, less is needed as the weather gets colder.

【推荐2】How to Say Short-Term Goodbyes

Knowing when and how to say goodbye is often difficult, even in informal situations. But learning to say goodbye appropriately is a skill that will help you maintain（维持）your relationships.     1     Read on to learn how to recognize chances when you leave.

Recognize when to leave. When you’re at any kind of party or gathering, or even in a one-on-one conversation, it can be difficult to get away. Learning to recognize good chances to leave will make a short-term goodbye much easier. Notice if the crowd seems to be decreasing.     2    

    3     Overstaying your welcome is rude, but it can often be difficult to distinguish. People don’t like telling you that they’d like you to leave, so try to watch for signals. If the host of a party starts cleaning up, or withdraws from the conversation, gather your friends or belongings and make your exit.

Make plans to see each other again. Even saying “See you at school tomorrow” keeps the goodbye light and focused forward. If you haven’t already made plans, use it as a chance to make them.     4     Set up a coffee date or meeting for lunch later in the week if it makes the goodbye easier, but don’t promise anything you don’t want to do.

Tell the truth. It can be tempting to come up with a “good excuse” when you’re ready to leave. You don’t need to.     5     It doesn’t need to be any more complicated than that.

【推荐3】In six months, I will be 50 but I already know what I’ll regret. This is the answer. “if anything had been different, I wouldn’t be who I am today.” Being like what I am today is so great that I’d never want to change it. But…    1    

KIDS. I wish I had spent more time with my kids.     2     But I worked really hard and, I admit, I probably avoided them when they were really young and difficult to wake up and get ready for school when they were younger.

MONEY. I wish for 15 years or so I wasn’t so focused on money.

CREATIVITY. I began my career in my 20s doing things that were really creative that I loved. I was trying to write a novel. I was trying to do a TV show. I was always around people I loved so much. And I spent time with them because I loved them and not because I wanted anything else. I wish I had stuck with that. Now, in my 40s, I’m trying to catch up.     3    

HUMILITY. When I first made some money, I became a bit too proud. I started investing in all of these horrible companies and having horrible friends.     4     If I were humble and just went back to what I loved, I bet I’d be happier.

DISAGREEMENT.     5     I still have a hard time with that. I wish when someone does something that I don’t like or agree with I would say “no” a bit more often. I’ve gotten into a lot of bad situations because I didn’t say “no”. Here are two cases where I should have said “no” more often: when someone treats me badly and when I don’t want to do something but I feel bad about hurting someone.

Anyway, if I had a time machine, would I go back in time? I’m not sure. It’s OK to feel regretful some times.