大二上学期英语背诵汉语翻译

Unit 1两条生活的真理抓紧，放松:明白了这对矛盾，你就踏进了智慧的大门[1]生活的秘诀在于懂得何时抓紧，何时放松。

因为人生就是一对矛盾：它既令我们抓紧人生的多种赐予，同时又要我们到头来把这些赐予放弃。

老一辈犹太学者是这样说的：“一个人握紧拳头来到这个世界，但他却是松开手掌离开这个世界的。

”[2]毫无疑问，我们应该牢牢抓住生命，因为它奇妙，它有一种在上帝创造的世界里无孔不入，无处不在的美。

我们大家都知道这一点。

可我们却常常是在回首往事想起它时，才能认识这一真理。

此时我们会突然发觉它已不复存在了。

[3]我们能记起已经凋谢时的美、已经消逝的爱。

可是，我们更痛苦的回忆是，我们没有看见顶峰时的美，没有在别人以爱对我之时也爱回报。

[4]最近一次经历又使我领悟到了这个真理。

一场剧烈的心脏病发作后，我被送进医院，接受了几天精心护理。

医院可不是一个使人愉快的地方。

[5]一天上午，我得加做另外几项检查。

我要用的医疗器械安装在医院另一段的大楼里。

所以我只有坐轮椅穿过院子才能到达那里。

[6]当我们走出病房时，阳关正照在我身上。

就我实际的经历而言，当时也没有什么别的。

只不过就是阳关。

而这时的阳光是多么美丽、多么温暖、多么耀眼、多么辉煌！[7]我打量着别人是否也在欣赏着这太阳的金色光芒。

可是，人人都来去匆匆，大多数人的目光只盯在地上。

这时我想到自己过去又何尝不是往往对每天的壮观景象视而不见，一头埋在细小的，有时甚至是卑鄙、自私的事务中。

而对日常的奇观麻木不仁呢？[8]从这次经历所获得的顿悟确如经历本身一样的平凡。

生命的赐予是宝贵的，可惜我们对它们太掉以轻心了。

［9］这就是人生向我们提出的矛盾要求的第一个方面：不要因为太忙就忽视了生活中令人惊奇、令人敬畏的东西。

每天黎明开始就要恭谨从事。

抓住每个小时，捉住宝贵的每一分钟。

[10]紧紧抓住生活——可不要紧得使你不能松手。

这就是生活的另一面——矛盾的另一方：我们必须接受损失，学会放松。

大学英语高级班第三学期期末词汇复习Unit 1 “We’ve been hit!”1.Suddenly rain lashed against the windows. 突然，大雨猛烈地抽打在窗户上。

The Cuban leader lashed out against the policy of the US President. 古巴领导人猛烈抨击美国总统的政策。

2.But observers scoff at such notions. 但是观察家对这种说法嗤之以鼻.3.Once again he conjured up the illusion. 他又唤起那种错觉.4.Life is only illusion. 浮生若梦.5.The speaker was an experienced man, composed and steady. 这位演讲者风度老练, 从容不迫.6.The customs figures show a steady decline in British trade. 关税数字表明英国的贸易一直在走下坡路.7.Oil spills devastate the natural environment, endanger public health, imperil drinking water and disrupt theeconomy. 石油泄漏破坏自然环境, 危害公众健康, 污染饮用水且扰乱经济.8.Souls are so purified in purgatory. 人的灵魂将在炼狱中得到净化.9.Stealing a car and then driving it drunk was the ultimate idiocy. 偷了车然后醉酒开车真是愚蠢到极点.10.Many people regard accumulation of riches as the ultimate value of life. 很多人认为积累财富是人生最高的价值.11.Don't put me into a dilemma. 不要使我左右为难.12.She was in a dilemma as to whether to stay at school or get a job. 她进退两难,不知该留在学校读书还是找份工作.13.I have been studying English off and on for ten years. 我断断续续学了十年英语.14.A single spark can start a prairie fire. 星星之火,可以燎原.15.You can't take the transfer students' exam without your transcripts. 没有成绩证明书,你就不能参加转学考试.16.Against my premonitions, I was duty - bound to reassure my old friend from Singapore.尽管我有祥的预感, 但我有义务安抚我的新加坡老朋友.17.Many Americans are of English descen t. 许多美国人的祖籍是英国.18.The country's economy is on the verge of collapse. 国家的经济已到了崩溃的边缘.19.One ant - hole may cause the collapse of a thousand - li dyke. 千里长堤,溃于蚁穴.20.If you work too hard, your health may collapse. 如果你工作太累的话, 你可能病倒.21.Fight to the last gasp. 奋战到底,不死不休.22.One cannot easily make a bargain at the last gasp. 人在快要死亡的时候,是很难讨价还价的.23.The colour in this material does not fade. 这布料不褪色.24.Their names will never fade from the memory of the world. 他们的名字永远不会从世人的记忆中消失.25.Beauty will fade, but not goodness. 美貌会凋谢, 但美德不会.Unit 3 My stroke of luck1. If the interests of two countries collide, there may be a war. 如果两个国家的利益相抵触, 那会引发一场战争.2. Psychiatrist: What makes you think you have an inferiority complex? 精神病医生: 是什么让你认为你有自卑情结?3. He had a flash of intuitio n. 他灵光一闪.4. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice , heart and intuition. 不要让别人的意见淹没了你内在的心声.5. Fortune has rarely smiled on me. 幸运几乎与我无缘.6. His past experience qualified him to handle such a delicate matter. 他过去的经验使他有办法处理好这件微妙的事.7. Put the plates gently on the table, they are very delicate. 把碟子轻轻放在桌上, 这些碟子非常易碎.8. I could not erase from my mind the poignant thought. 我无法驱散萦绕在我心头的痛切之感.9. She let the news slip by mistake , in an unguarded moment. 她一不留神泄漏了消息.10. One single slip brings eternal regret , and looking back, your whole life has passed away. 一失足成千古恨, 再回头已过百年身.11. Better to slip with the foot than with the tongue. 宁可失脚滑倒,不可随口失言.12. That failure was a blow to my ego. 那项失败是对我自尊心的一个打击.13. I could do little to console her for the loss of her son. 对于她失去儿子的事我安慰不了她.14. The malignant tumor does not recur. 恶性肿瘤没有复发.15. I would authorize someone to do some work that is in my responsibility. 我会授权别人处理一些我职责内的工作.16. Her husband was the chief beneficiary of her will. 她丈夫是她遗嘱的主要受益人.17. The drug made her speak with a slur. 药物使她口齿不清.18. That which was bitter to endure may be sweet to remember. 往日艰辛回味甜.19. Only if we handle them with kid gloves. 只要我们小心行事就行了.20. He refused to allow his secretary to handle confidential letters. 他不让秘书处理机密文件.Unit 4 Cultural encounters1.We can't access the Internet.我们连不上网。

Unit1mitigate v. 减轻，缓和be distinguished from 不同于，与…加以区别gloaming: [literary] duskdisillusioned adj. 大失所望的，不再抱幻想的be disinclined to 不愿意做…air of defiance 蔑视的神态embark on 开始，着手forlorn 凄凉的，被遗弃的of no account (美)无价值的;无关紧要的unburden oneself of sth 吐露某事以消除(思想、心灵的)负担take due notice of sth 对…给与应有的注意/关注put sb on one’s guard使某人警惕、提防reminiscence n. 旧事，回忆a suggestion of resentment 不满的意味derelict adj. 被抛弃的；n. 无家可归的人outrageously 惊人地，极其fall short of 缺乏，达不到take precautions 采取预防措施a touch in the story 故事中的一点点dusk-shrouded adj. 被暮色笼罩的Unit 3scorching adj.灼热的，烧焦的scorching heat 灼热rumble 隆隆声rascal 淘气鬼，调皮鬼blade 刀片ears of wheat 小麦穗strip v. 剥去，脱去unspoken 未说出口的mean adj. 卑鄙的；吝啬的plough v. 耕（田）minute adj. 极小的，极少的metallic 金属的spew vt. 呕吐；喷出vi. 呕吐；喷涌spew up 呕出inversion 颠倒stoop v. 弯腰; 屈身keep hold of vt. 握紧（抓住不放）in the thick of 在…的最激烈时刻、最紧张时刻Unit 5reticent adj. 沉默的；有保留的；谨慎的clear up their misunderstandingoccasion have the occasion to do: have good reason to do *have no occasion to (do) 没有...的理由[必要]indulgently 宽容地reel off 一口气说出stop short 突然停止short adv. 突然be at sea with sb at sea 迷惑, 茫然trespass 非法进入，侵犯tantalize v. 逗弄，逗引miraculously adv. 奇迹般地；神奇地；非凡地；出乎意料地shred v. 撕碎make out 假装Unit 6traverse v. 横越，穿越quaint adj. 古雅的，奇特而有趣的prowl (仔细地)搜寻colony 殖民地congenial adj. 意气相投的smite v. (疾病)袭击，侵袭(past tense) smotescore 积怨，宿怨filter 过滤，滤过，渗透，渗入filter through 透过, 滤过subtract from 减去swagger v. 大摇大摆地走路solicitously adv. 担忧地，焦虑地wield vt. 使用；行使；挥舞fierce adj. 凶猛的，猛烈的；暴躁的scoff at 嘲笑，嘲弄smell of 有……的气味，闻出……的味道slight n.怠慢；轻蔑adj.轻微的，少量的；脆弱的；细长的；不重要的vt.轻视，忽略；怠慢pose v. 造成，形成；装模作样；摆姿势；提出……讨论vi. 佯装motion v. 打手势，示意mingle with 和……混合wear away 消逝sin 罪恶，罪孽，过失acute 严重的contentedly 满足地，安心地Unit 8lay expiringshiftless 懒惰的，没出息的kinky 卷曲的stingy adj.吝啬的，小气的commotion 喧闹sober adj. 头脑清醒的，没喝醉的squall n. 高声尖叫outrageously adv. 凶残地，残暴地rite 仪式rehabilitation 复原，康复dally v. 浪费时间，闲混kick the bucket 死掉implacable adj. 无情的，好不宽容的contemptuous adj.轻蔑的，侮辱的be contemptuous of 瞧不起…的fragile adj.脆的，易碎的dilapidate vi. 毁坏；荒废；浪费vt. 荒废；毁坏dilapidated 残破的，失修的pluck v. 弹，拨fragrant adj. 芳香的；愉快的scent n. 气味；痕迹；嗅觉；察觉能力vt. 发觉；使充满…的气味；闻到；循着遗臭追踪vi. 发出…的气味；有…的迹象；嗅着气味追赶Unit 9virtuous adj. 有道德的；贞洁的；善良的；有效力的；正直的deceive with 用…哄骗(某人)spasmodic 一阵阵的wane v. 减退，减少(wax and wane n. <月亮>圆缺，盈亏)in no sense 决不abundant adj. 充裕的；丰富的；盛产persistent adj. 固执的，坚持的；持久稳固的minister n. 部长；大臣；牧师vi. 执行牧师职务；辅助或伺候某人athletic athletic games 体育运动项目exacting adj. 需付出极大努力的，艰难的agitate v. 使焦虑不安manifold 多种多样的earmark n. 特征，特殊记号make it a point to do/ make a point of (doing) sth 特别重视…mortal 凡人prominent adj. 突出的，显著的；杰出的；卓越的bookworm 书呆子Unit 16conception n. 概念；设想；怀孕；开始pull down 摧毁，推翻；拉下来；使……下跌stead n. 用处；代替vt. 对…有利upbraid vt. 责骂；训斥upbraiding 谴责的be committed to commit 托付，交付adjoining adj.邻近的in a sortstrip vt.剥去as much as 差不多；尽…那样多upright adj. 正直的，诚实的；垂直的，直立的；笔直的；合乎正道的n. 竖立；垂直esteem vt. 认为；尊敬；考虑；估价n. 尊重；尊敬involuntary adj. 自然而然的；不知不觉的；无意识的innocent adj. 无罪的；无辜的；无知的n. 天真的人；笨蛋flutter vi. 飘动；鼓翼；烦扰vt. 拍；使焦急；使飘动n. 摆动；鼓翼；烦扰fluttering 飘动的have …to oneself垄断，独占solitary adj. 孤独的；独居的n. 独居者；隐士pluck n. 勇气；内脏；快而猛的拉vt. 摘；拔；扯vi. 拉；拽；扯melancholy adj. 忧郁的；使人悲伤的n. 忧郁；愁思；悲哀good for nothing 毫无价值bask 取暖fancy n. 想像力；爱好；幻想adj. 想象的；奇特的；精选的；昂贵的vt. 设想；喜爱；想象；自负vi. 想象；幻想grateful adj. 感谢的；令人愉快的，宜人的impertinent 无礼的，莽撞的meditate 考虑，打算relinquish 放弃be pent up 被关押、被囚禁make allowances for 体谅；考虑到recede 自原处后退mournful adj. 悲哀的；令人惋惜的。

1.With my own ears I clearly heard the heart beat of the nuclear bomb.我亲耳清楚地听到原子弹的心脏的跳动。

2. Next year the bearded bear will bear a dear baby in the rear.明年,长胡子的熊将在后方产一头可爱的小崽.3. Early I searched through the earth for earth ware so as to research inearthquake.早先我在泥土中搜寻陶器以研究地震.4. I learn that learned earnest men earn much by learning.我得知有学问而认真的人靠学问挣很多钱.5. She swears to wear the pearls that appear to be pears.她发誓要戴那些看起来像梨子的珍珠。

6. I nearly fear to tear the tearful girl's test paper.我几乎害怕撕那个泪流满面的女孩的试卷.7. The bold folk fold up the gold and hold it in hand.大胆的人们将黄金折叠起来拿在手里。

8. The customers are accustomed to the disgusting custom.顾客们习惯了令人讨厌的风俗.9. The dust in the industrial zone frustrated the industrious man.工业区里的灰尘使勤勉的人灰心.10. The just budget judge just justifies the adjustment of justice.公正的预算法官只不过为司法调整辩护而已。

全新版大学英语第二册1~4单元课文背诵及翻译12 One way of summarizing the American position is to state that we value originality and independence more than the Chinese do. The contrast between our two cultures can also be seen in terms of the fears we both harbor. Chinese teachers are fearful that if skills are not acquired early, they may never be acquired; there is, on the other hand, no comparable hurry to promote creativity. American educators fear that unless creativity has been acquired early, it may never emerge; on the other hand, skills can be picked up later.13 However, I do not want to overstate my case. There is enormous creativity to be found in Chinese scientific, technological and artistic innovations past and present. And there is a danger of exaggerating creative breakthroughs in the West. When any innovation is examined closely, its reliance on previous achievements is all too apparent (the “standing on the shoulders of giants” phenomenon).14 But assuming that the contrast I have developed is valid, and that the fostering of skills and creativity are both worthwhile goals, the important question becomes this: Can we gather, from the Chinese and American extremes, a superior way to approach education, perhaps striking a better balance between the poles of creativity and basic skills?Unit 219 Walton set up a college scholarship fund for employees?children, a disaster relief fund to rebuild employee homes damaged by fires, floods, tornadoes, and the like. He believed in cultivating ideas and rewarding success.20 “He?d say, …That fell ow worked hard, let?s give him alittle extra,?”recalls retired president Ferold F. Arend, who was stunned at such generosity after the stingy employer he left to join Wal-Mart. “I had to change my way of thinking when I came aboard.”21 “The reason for our success,” says Walton, in a company handout, “is our people and the way they?re treated and the way they feel about their company. They believe things are different here, but they deserve the credit.”22 Adds company lawyer Jim Hendren: “I?ve never seen anyone yet who worked for him or was around him for any length of time who wasn?t better off. And I don?t mean just financially, although a lot of people are. It?s just something about him—coming into contact with Sam Walton just makes you a better person.”12 美国人的立场可以概括起来这么说，我们比中国人更重视创造和自立。

Unit11、You should spend a reasonable amount of time relaxing and exercising .你应该适当话一点时间休息和锻炼。

2、In general children are healthier and better educated than ever before.总的来说，孩子们的过去任何时候都更健康，受到了更好的教育。

3、When the right opportunities once along he’ll take them.待适当的机会来临，他就能抓住。

4、Ever day ,he sets aside some time to be with his family and enjoy life.每天他都留出点时间跟家里人在一起，享受生活。

5、I remember those dank streets and walking hand in hand with my father.我记得那些黑暗的街道以及同父亲手拉手走路的情景。

6、He finally failed to live up to his parent’s expectations.他最终辜负了父母的期望。

7、In contrast, our use of oil mass increased enormously .相比之下，我们的用油量大幅度上升了。

8、He succeded in his efforts to overcome his fatal weakness.经过努力，他成功地克服了自己的致命弱点。

Unit21、She wore a dress with a pattern of roses on it .（有玫瑰图案）2、Helen had prepares a wonderful meal for us .（为我们准备了一顿丰富的饭菜（3、Ann promised faithfully that she would never tell.（誓旦旦地保证）4、Could you deliver this letter to the accounts department.（这封信送到）5、We were offered a selection of milk and plain chocolate.（精选的牛奶巧克力和纯巧克力）6、Tell the children to keep out of mischief.（别胡闹）7、We could hear the sound of distant thunder.（远处打雷的声音）8、The project has now received approval from the government.（得到政府的批准）9、Kelly loved her husband in spite of the fact that he drinks too much.（虽然他喝酒太多）10、Experts seem unable to agree whether the drug is safe or not.（就这个药是否安全取得一致意见）Unit 31.Because of an emergenry, the doctor will not be available for several hours.由于紧急情况，这位医生几小时内都没有空2．How will the taxes affect the people with low income?税收如何影响低收入的人群？3．My mother always told me that in the long run I would be glad I didn’t give uo ptactcing the piano.我母亲总是告诉我，从长远来看我会很高兴，我没有放弃练钢琴4．These books range in price from 10 dollars to $20这些书的价值从10美元到20美元不等5．It seems to me that you don’t have much choice.在我看来，你没有什么选择6．Given their inexperience, they have done quite a good job.考虑到他们缺乏经验，这工作他们已做得相当不错了7．For such a big house, the price is fairly cheap, but you’ve repairs.对这么一栋大房子来说这价格相当便宜，但你得考虑维修所需要的钱8．Can we bagin with discussing questions arrising from the last meeting?我们能否从讨论上次会议产生的问题开始？Unit 61.We regard him as one of the best player in the match .我们认为他是本场比赛表现最出色的球员之一2.The scientist picked up those little pieces of rock and carefully put them into a box.那位科学家捡起那些小石块，并小心翼翼地把它们放进一个盒子里3.The population of china is almost five times as large as that of America .中国的人口集合是美国人口的五倍4.The reason why grass is green was once a mystery.对那个男孩来说草为什么是绿的曾经是个谜5.She was standing by the window ,apparently calm and relaxed.她站在窗口，显然非常冷静和放松6.Profit have declined as a result of the recent drop in sales.由于最近销量的下降，赢利也出现了滑坡7.She put on dark glasses as a protection /against strong light.她戴上墨镜以便保护自己不受强烈光线的照射8.He could no longer be trusted after that incident.经过那件事后，人们再也不能相信他了Unit 71.If you sing the song several times, your children will pack up the words.这首歌你要是唱几遍的话，孩子们就会学会歌词的2.We tried to assure the nervous old man that air travel was safe.我们尽力使那位紧张的老人相信乘飞机是安全的3.An inadequate supply of vitamin A may lead to night blindness.缺乏维生素A会导致夜盲4.I can use a computer, but when it comes to computer repairing , I know nothing about it.我会用计算机，但是一说到修理计算机，我就一无所知了5.Many a mother tries to have her dreams realized by her daughter.很多母亲试图在她们的女儿身上实现她们的梦想6.The bad weather discourage people from attending the parade.恶劣的天气使人们不能去参加游行7.I gave him some pills to ease his pain.我给了他一些药丸以减轻他的痛苦8.The job involves traveling/working abroad three moths every year.这份工作需要每年去国外三个月Unit 81.I feel I should pointed out how dangerous it is.我觉得我应该指出这是多么地危险。

1、这场给人类带来巨大灾难的战争对这样一个诗人产生了什么影响呢？How did the war, which brought terrible disasters to mankind, impact on such a poet?2、做母亲的有时候不能察觉她们所宠爱的孩子们的过错，这样做的结果会使孩子们再次犯同样的过错。

（be blind to）Mothers are sometimes blind to the faults of their beloved children, which will cause the children to make the same mistake again.3. 作为一个在这个完全陌生国度的新移民（immigrant），她总是感觉到孤立无援。

（isolate）As a new immigrant in this completely strange country, she always felt isolated.4. 做事不先考虑周全常会导致失败，因此我们应该三思而后行。

（result in, act before thinking）Acting before thinking often results in failure, so we should think before we leap.5. 奢谈的时候已经过去了，我们必须积极行动起来保护我们的环境。

（take ... action）The time for talking is past; we must take a positive action to protect our environment.1. 记者敦促发言人就此次军事打击作出解释。

（to press for）Reporters pressed the spokesman for an explanation of the military attack.2. 他的竞选运动未能使选民相信他就是参议员的合适人选。

Unit112 I suspect not everyone who loves the country would be happy living the way we do. It takes a couple of special qualities. One is a tolerance for solitude. Because we are so busy and on such a tight budget, we don't entertain much. During the growing season there is no time for socializing anyway. Jim and Emily are involved in school activities, but they too spend most of their time at home.我想，不是所有热爱乡村的人都会乐意过我们这种生活的。

这种生活需要一些特殊的素质。

其一是耐得住寂寞。

由于我们如此忙碌，手头又紧，我们很少请客。

在作物生长季节，根本就没工夫参加社交活动。

吉米和埃米莉虽然参加学校的各种活动，但他俩大多数时间也呆在家里。

13 The other requirement is energy -- a lot of it. The way to make self-sufficiency work on a small scale is to resist the temptation to buy a tractor and other expensive laborsaving devices. Instead, you do the work yourself. The only machinery we own (not counting the lawn mower) is a little three-horsepower rotary cultivator and a 16-inch chain saw.另一项要求是体力――相当大的体力。

Unit 1A heated discussion about whether men are braver than women is settled in a rather unexpected way.The dinner partyMona GardnerI first heard this tale in India, where is told as if true -- though any naturalist would know it couldn't be. Later someone told me that the story appeared in a magazine shortly before the First World War. That magazine story, and the person who wrote it, I have never been able to track down.The country is India. A colonial official and his wife are giving a large dinner party. They are seated with their guests -- officers and their wives, and a visiting American naturalist -- in their spacious dining room, which has a bare marble floor, open rafters and wide glass doors opening onto a veranda.A spirited discussion springs up between a young girl who says that women have outgrown the jumping-on-a-chair-at-the-sight-of-a-mouse era and a major who says that they haven't."A woman's reaction in any crisis," the major says, "is to scream. And while a man may feel like it, he has that ounce more of control than a woman has. And that last ounce is what really counts."The American does not join in the argument but watches the other guests. As he looks, he sees a strange expression come over the face of the hostess. She is staring straight ahead, her muscles contracting slightly. She motions to the native boy standing behind her chair and whispers something to him. The boy's eyes widen: he quickly leaves the room.Of the guests, none except the American notices this or sees the boy place a bowl of milk on the veranda just outside the open doors.The American comes to with a start. In India, milk in a bowl means only one thing -- bait for a snake. He realizes there must be a cobra in the room. He looks up at the rafters -- the likeliest place -- but they are bare. Three corners of the room are empty, and in the fourth the servants are waiting to serve the next course. There is only one place left -- under the table.His first impulse is to jump back and warn the others, but he knows the commotion would frighten the cobra into striking. He speaks quickly, the tone of his voice so commanding that it silences everyone."I want to know just what control everyone at this table has. I will count three hundred -- that's five minutes -- and not one of you is to move a muscle. Those who move will forfeit 50 rupees. Ready?"The 20 people sit like stone images while he counts. He is saying "...two hundred and eighty..." when, out of the corner of his eye, he sees the cobra emerge and make for the bowl of milk. Screams ring out as he jumps to slam the veranda doors safely shut."You were right, Major!" the host exclaims. "A man has just shown us an example of perfect self-control.""Just a minute," the American says, turning to his hostess. "Mrs. Wynnes, how did you know that cobra was in the room?"A faint smile lights up the woman's face as she replies: "Because it was crawling across my foot."关于男人是否比女人更勇敢的一场激烈争论以一种颇为出人意料的方式解决了。

Unit1在美国，不少人对乡村生活怀有浪漫的情感。

许多居住在城镇的人梦想着自己办个农场，梦想着靠土地为生。

很少有人真去把梦想变为现实。

或许这也没有什么不好，因为，正如吉姆·多尔蒂当初开始其写作和农场经营双重生涯时所体验到的那样，农耕生活远非轻松自在。

但他写道，自己并不后悔，对自己作出的改变生活方式的决定仍热情不减。

多尔蒂先生创建自己的理想生活吉姆·多尔蒂有两件事是我一直想做的——写作与务农。

如今我同时做着这两件事。

作为作家，我和E·B·怀特不属同一等级，作为农场主，我和乡邻也不是同一类人，不过我应付得还行。

在城市以及郊区历经多年的怅惘失望之后，我和妻子桑迪终于在这里的乡村寻觅到心灵的满足。

这是一种自力更生的生活。

我们食用的果蔬几乎都是自己种的。

自家饲养的鸡提供鸡蛋，每星期还能剩余几十个出售。

自家养殖的蜜蜂提供蜂蜜，我们还自己动手砍柴，足可供过冬取暖之用。

这也是一种令人满足的生活。

夏日里我们在河上荡舟，在林子里野餐，骑着自行车长时间漫游。

冬日里我们滑雪溜冰。

我们为落日的景象而激动。

我们爱闻大地回暖的气息，爱听牛群哞叫。

我们守着看鹰儿飞过上空，看玉米田间鹿群嬉跃。

但如此美妙的生活有时会变得相当艰苦。

就在三个月前，气温降到华氏零下30度，我们辛苦劳作了整整两天，用一个雪橇沿着河边拖运木柴。

再过三个月，气温会升到95度，我们就要给玉米松土，在草莓地除草，还要宰杀家禽。

前一阵子我和桑迪不得不翻修后屋顶。

过些时候，16岁的吉米和四个孩子中的最小的13岁的埃米莉，会帮着我一起把拖了很久没修的室外厕所修葺一下，那是专为室外干活修建的。

这个月晚些时候，我们要给果树喷洒药水，要油漆谷仓，要给菜园播种，要赶在新的雏鸡运到之前清扫鸡舍。

在这些活计之间，我每周要抽空花五、六十个小时，不是打字撰文，就是为作为自由撰稿人投给报刊的文章进行采访。

桑迪则有她自己繁忙的工作日程。

除了日常的家务，她还照管菜园和蜂房，烘烤面包，将食品装罐、冷藏，开车送孩子学音乐，和他们一起练习，自己还要上风琴课，为我做些研究工作并打字，自己有时也写写文章，还要侍弄花圃、堆摞木柴、运送鸡蛋。