高中英语科技类作文【优秀20篇】

Last night, as I felt so bored, so I started to watch movie, my friend asked me to watch Mist, she told me it was very shocking, I was so looking forward to seeing it.

Mist is a horror movie, it told about a great mist covered the country, people struggled to live in the world with big monster, at the end, as there was no way to survive, so the protagonist killed his son to make him relieve, just after a few second, the rescue came.

The ending is so hopeless for the protagonist, if he holds on for a few second, everything will be changed. The story tells people never to give up hope, who knows what will happen the next second. If we give up hope, we can’t see the good things that will come around. Keeping the hope is very important, it will help us to overcome the difficulty.

昨晚，我感到很无聊，所以我开始看电影，我的朋友叫我去看《迷雾》，她说那部电影很震惊，我很期待看。《迷雾》是一部恐怖片，讲述了一场大雾笼罩国家，人们挣扎着在这个世界上和怪物存活，最后，由于是在无路可退，男主人公杀死了他的儿子，为了让他解脱，只是过了一会，救援队就来了。对于男主人公来说结局是多么的绝望啊，如果他坚持一会，事情就会不一样了。故事告诉人们永远都不要放弃希望，谁知道下一秒钟会发生什么事情呢。如果我们放弃希望，我们就看不到接下来的事情。怀抱希望是很重要的，它能让我们克服困难。

[高中英语作文：怀抱希望

Almost everyone wants to live a long life, but longevity is not for all

people. It is reported that most long life people are in villages, far away from

big cities. In village, life is closer to nature. The sky there is clear and

pretty; the air is fresh; the water is clean; and the food they eat are natural,

without any chemicals. Besides, those villages are abundant in green trees,

beautiful flowers, fresh fruit, and wild animals, which can evoke peoples

passions for life. Moreover, the living pace in those villages is rather slow.

People suffer less stress than cities’. Thus, they have more freedom to enjoy

what they like. No wonder that most villagers are strong and healthy. If I

become old someday, I would like to move to village to enjoy a more comfortable

and pleasant life.

As our students, we also have to face with much pressure, such as the study

pressure, exam pressure,relationship pressure and so on. But how can we cope

with pressure? This is the most important.

Firstly, we should face the pressure appropriately. Pressure is inevitable

in our daily life, so we cant be afraid of them and try our best to cope with

them. Secondly, tell our pressure to others. Talking is a very effective way to

ease pressure, and during the talking, we may get some suggestions and

solutions. Finally, trust ourselves. We should believe ourselves that we can

deal with any troubles by ourselves or by others help.

Integrity, literally can be divided into honesty and trustworthiness. Honesty and keep faith, just as its name implies. Responsible for yourself, to be honest and trustworthy is responsible for others. They say: "gentlemans word is an arrow let fly." Heavy reputation, integrity is our traditional virtue of the Chinese nation. Jinan of shandong province port ditch county village villagers creature can use action to explain the Chinese virtue, keep good faith.

In 1948, jinan campaign five martyrs died and Liu Yanbao grandfather by the army chief, look after five martyrs, and liujia people unwilling to pay someone carved five tombstone, and planted around the conifers. ChengJun one, and will keep a lifetime. The lius man to keep his promise in the forces that keep is 63, liu four generations, no matter how things change commitment of the heart. The lius mans story is a loyalty.

Liujia people use action interpretation of promises, but taobao shop moves all the way the busy up house but with a terrible price to tell us the importance of prestige.

Up house President said in an interview: "the best house in the beginning is only a small shop, I very want to develop it. On one occasion, a very good friend and I go to my home, he also brought a friend, we are chatting chatting is said here I really want to give up and housing development on the topic of when my friends friend, he said he had a friend, there are more than one thousand real hand bags, because home have something need to deal with, I was tempted you listen, take time to go look at the, the style is good, Ill use 10 sure-fire bought, but a few days later I received the goods, found that there is something wrong with the goods. At that time wanted to sell, suddenly thought of champions have garden, then put the heart a horizontal, is dumped goods 10 yuan a go out, the result was almost closed. Today in the morning to be able to change and also our philosophy has important relationship. At the beginning of haier group, too!"

Can be seen from the above example, honesty and hand letter is indispensable to our growth path. The old saying about; "You will lose some time we must give up big or small. The foundation of good faith, people.

诚信，从字面上看可以分为诚实与守信。诚实与守信，顾名思义。诚实是对自己负责，守信是对他人负责。俗语说：“君子一言，驷马难追。”重信誉、守诚信是我们中华民族的传统美德。山东省济南市港沟县神武村的村民就用行动来诠释了中华美德——守诚信。

在1948年济南战役时，5位烈士为国捐躯，刘延宝的爷爷受部队首长之托，照看5位烈士，而刘家人节衣缩食花钱请人刻了五个墓碑，并在周围栽上了松柏。承君一诺、必守终生。刘家人为了信守对部队首长的诺言这一守便是63年，刘家祖孙四代无论世事如何变迁，一直坚守心中的承诺。刘家人的事迹是一首忠义的赞歌。

刘家人用行动诠释了守承诺，然而淘宝网店一路走势红火的上上屋却是用惨痛代价告诉我们重信誉的重要性。

上上屋总裁在一次访问中说道：“上上屋在最开始的时候只是一家小店，我很想把它发展一下。有一次，一个和我很好的朋友去我家做客，他还带了一个朋友，我们聊着聊着就说到了我很想把上上屋发展一下的话题上，当时我朋友的朋友就说他有一个朋友，手里有一千多个真皮包，因为家里有点事需要处理一下，我当时一听就心动了，抽空去看了一下，样式还不错，我就用10万全买了，可是过了几天我收到货的时候，就发现货有问题。当时本想卖了，突然想到‘冠生园’的事，后来把心一横，就把货10元一个甩了出去，结果当时差点倒闭了。今天上上午能够如此蒸蒸日上也和我们的理念有重要关系。当初的海尔集团也是如此啊!”

从上面的例子可以看出，诚实和手信是我们成长道路上不可缺少的伙伴。古语讲;“有得必有失”有些时候我们必须舍大取小。诚信二字，人之根本。

This morning i went to the english corner which is in the park near my home. it is three years since it was founded.

Many middle school students as well as college students and foreigners take part in the activity. people there practice speaking english by talking about something interesting. people also exchange the experience in english learning. i think it is a good chance for me to use what i have learnt in my english class. i felt very cool after i got back home.

I’ll try my best to learn english better, for it is so widely used in the world.

it was the first day of our summer holiday.all of us were very happy. why? because we have two months to do things we love to do.we are free.although we have some homework.but we can finish them in several days.and the rest time we can make good use of.my god! we have been very tired after hard studying.in summer holidays,i want to have full sleep and eat good food in order to replenish myself. last but not the least,i will have a good rest.

这是我们暑假的第一天，我们都很高兴。为什么？因为我们有两个月的时间去做我们喜欢做的事情了。我们自由了。尽管我们有很多家庭作业。但是我们几天就可以完成，剩余的时间我们可以自由支配.上帝啊，在努力的学习之后我们很累。在暑假，我想睡好吃好为了放松我自己。最后，我将可以好好休息。

[高中生暑假英语日记

I was so busy in the previous winter holiday for I am going to take the

university entrance exam in July this year. Everyday, I buried myself in

studying. I had to review each required subject and do lots of exercises.

Besides, because I did bad in mathematics and physics, I had to do much more

exercises than other courses, which made me discouraged. I spent more than ten

hours a day in studying. When I was tired, I watched TV or listened to music for

a little while. But It was a big pity that I couldnt go to the see cinema. In

addition, I had to refuse all the invitations of friends and relatives. I only

called them or sent messages in the New Year’s Eve. I desperately hoped that

there is no exam but I know it’s impossible. The only thing I can do is to study

hard to get good scores and can be admitted to Tsinghua University.

小编整理了去北京的英语游记作文，快来看看吧。

英语范文一：

On summer holiday my parents took me to Beijing. We stayed at Huabei Hotel. On the first day, we went to the Great Wall. The Great Wall is very long and old. It has millions of bricks. Each brick is very big and heavy. Lots of people from different countries like climbing the Great Wall. We felt very tired when we climbed to the top of the Great Wall.

We also went to the Palace Museum. The Palace Museum has 9999 palaces. It has a very long history. I bought a lot of souvenirs of the Palace Museum. What nice palaces these are! I visited the Palace Museum and felt excited. If you want to know more about the Palace Museum, you can go to Beijing and have a look. The following days, we went to the Summer Palace, Tian Tan, North Lake and Xiang Hill. I now know more about the history of China. I also like modern Beijing. The 2008 Olympic Games will be held in Beijing.

Later, I went back with my parents by train. I really enjoyed the trip to Beijing. I like this trip!

英语范文二：

From the great wall. Those made me feel that I was proud to be a Chinese. there were many antiques which we could espy the great culture ，.It was a wonderful trip，

We all had a great time，,it was a well-known wonder in the is made of big stones which was too heavy to bring even uesing it to buil a construction of ruggedization。!We went to see the Imperial Palace and the great wall 。.

The Imperial Palace noted the historyLast summer holiday I have been to Beijing with my friends for a travel。

After seeing so many movies about the youth, we are starting to wonder about what do we have in our youth, the fight, the drink or the love?

My answer is no.

What we see from the movie is not true, the plots are exaggerated and misunderstood.

For students, their youth is the process of fighting. They have studied so hard to realize their dreams.

When they are in primary school, they want to do well and make their parents be proud of them.

When they are in middle school and high school, they need to take part in the exams so as to enter the better future schools.

Even they are in college, they still need to study and fight for the ideal job. There is no doubt that most people keep fighting for their future and this is the memory of youth.

看了很多关于青春的电影之后,我们开始思考我们的青春有什么,打架,喝酒或谈恋爱?我的答案是否定的。

我们从电影看到的是不正确的,故事情节被夸大了,也被误解了。对于学生,他们的青春是战斗的过程。他们努力学习来实现梦想。

在上小学的时候,他们想要做的很好,让父母为他们感到骄傲。当他们在初中和高中的时候,需要参加考试,以便将来进入更好的学校。甚至在大学,他们仍然需要学习和争取理想的工作。毫无疑问,大多数人一直在为自己的未来奋斗,这是青春的记忆。

[高中英语作文：青春的记忆

Life is a long process, we have too many expectations, will inevitably encounter disappointments and frustrations. The ideal on the shelf, come back to find that we like a fish, always thought that I had wings are birds, but finally I know that I cant fly. Life like water, and sometimes cloudy, sometimes clear, we struggle against social this big VAT - "I often feel life owed me, why do people always happiness and joy than yourself?" In the face of setbacks, we complain about life deceives us, we thought there was no hope of their life. We often compared himself to lost the swan, but forget oneself want how to fly.

As a child, then established the goofys desire. So many years, has been trying to, in insist, waiting for, has vowed to make yourself proud fly. But the difficulty and the setback already ambush all around, lets get stuck here. We have very strong telling myself, dont because at present small setbacks, but let themselves to give up the dream life? Even if life has deceived me, but this is not fearful; The enemy attack me, also is not terrible, terrible is betrayed our dream and gave up. Even live tired, live hard, also want to insist on your dream, give their best confidence and courage, toward a glorious and brilliant tomorrow. But few people do it?

But grew up, social this big cylinder multifarious colors, we see more dazzling. But we think the bottom of my heart has its own principle, can easily be tempted by the outside world? When looking back to the historys dust, always feel oneself still maintain magnanimous feelings from the past, still with his own emotion, but always failed for himself and guilty about ideal life. We should think like this: one failure is nothing, still remains the most quality of the things we do, we insist the dream is still the most valuable. With the accumulation of time, looking at others get summer fruit, they themselves are empty。

[高中励志英语作文3篇

The 15-Day Celebration of Chinese New Year.

The first day of the Lunar New Year is "the welcoming of the gods of the heavens and earth."Many people abstain from meat on the first day of the new year because it is believed that this will ensure long and happy lives for them.

On the second day, the Chinese pray to their ancestors as well as to all the gods. They are extra kind to dogs and feed them well as it is believed that the second day is the birthday of all dogs.

The third and fourth days are for the sons-in-laws to pay respect to their parents-in-law.

The fifth day is called Po Woo. On that day people stay home to welcome the God of Wealth. No one visits families and friends on the fifth day because it will bring both parties bad luck.

On the sixth to the 10th day, the Chinese visit their relatives and friends freely. They also visit the temples to pray for good fortune and health.

The seventh day of the New Year is the day for farmers to display their produce. These farmers make a drink from seven types of vegetables to celebrate the occasion. The seventh day is also considered the birthday of human beings. Noodles are eaten to promote longevity and raw fish for success.

On the eighth day the Fujian people have another family reunion dinner, and at midnight they pray to Tian Gong, the God of Heaven.

The ninth day is to make offerings to the Jade Emperor.

The 10th through the 12th are days that friends and relatives should be invited for dinner. After so much rich food, on the 13th day you should have simple rice congee and mustard greens (choi sum) to cleanse the system.

The 14th day should be for preparations to celebrate the Lantern Festival which is to be held on the 15th night.

as our contemporary society develops dramatically， a worrying problem has sprung up that the degree of trust among individuals has decreased。 for example， when we meet a man begging for money due to his handicapped leg in the street， we are considering whether he is cheating us。 plus， in the business circle， we consumers couldn’t easily believe what the merchant has guaranteed。

all these problems mentioned above are reduced to adverse consequences。 especially， in the corporate world exists the prevalence of dishonesty。 influenced by these phenomena， we， invariably， become increasing cautious about other’s guarantee， even a piece of word。 thus， this trend does much harm to the commodity economy。

the underlying reason for these phenomena is the distorted mentality of money worship。 there are an army of figures expect getting by with cheating customers by selling fake products。 but， they would inevitably suffer penalty。 so， honesty counts most。 to sum up， we， average citizens， can eliminate the feeling of distrust via treating others honestly and paying confidence to others。

[信任危机高中英语作文

There is a saying that man proposes, goddisposes, which means man plan the things and the rest of the outcome lies inthe luck.

This saying reflects the connection between hard-work and luck, whichis though sometimes we have worked so hard, luck occupies great position, theunexpected things happen and refrain us from succeeding.

In order to besuccessful, people work so hard, they believe they can achieve their goals, butlacking luck stops them achieving their goals.

So working hard doesn’t meanbringing people success directly, they just need to try more times, withoutluck, they still can make their goals. Luck can help people close to success,without hard-work, they can’t be successful. Hard-work and luck make peoplerealize their goals, but without luck, people still can make it by trying moretimes.

有一句话说谋事在人，成事在天，意思是人们计划事情，剩下的结果依赖于运气。这句话反应了努力和运气之间的联系，那就是虽然有时候我们很努力工作，但是运气也占据了很重要的位置，意外的事情会发生，阻挡人们成功。为了取得成功，人们努力工作，他们相信能达到目标，但是运气的缺失让他们无法达到自己的目标。因此努力并不意味着能直接给人们带来成功，他们需要多试几次，没有运气，人们仍然可以达到目标。运气帮助人们接近成功，没有努力付出，无法成功。努力和运气能让人们实现目标，但是没有运气，人们多尝试几次，也能终将办到。

[高中英语作文：努力和运气

My mother is a teacher, so she pays special attention to my education. Before I went to primary school, she bought me a lot of novel books. I remembered that when the hot movie Harry Porter came out, she bought me the novel the other day. I was so surprised and read these books quickly. Thanks to my mother, she cultivated my interest to read successfully. I keep reading books every day, even though I was busy with my homework, I would take out the books to read some chapters before I went to sleep. Reading these books helps me a lot. I am good at writing and it broadens my vision. I can give my own opinion and other students admire me. Now I start to read the classic novel. Reading makes me happy and find my world.

我妈妈是一名教师，所以她特别重视对我的教育。在我上小学之前，她给我买了很多小说。我记得，当热门电影《哈里波特》出来的时候，第二天她就给我买了这本小说。我很惊讶，同时也很快看完了。感谢我的妈妈，她成功地培养了我对阅读的兴趣。我坚持每天读书的习惯，即使作业任务很繁重，我都会在睡觉之前拿书出来看一会。看这些书给我的帮助很大。我擅长写作，而且视野也拓宽了。我可以给出自己的见解，其他同学也佩服我。现在我开始看古典小说，阅读使我快乐，我找到了属于自己的世界。

[良好的阅读习惯高中英语作文

Mid-autumn day is a special festival in China, which is one of the traditional Chinese festivals. It falls on the 15th day of Augustlunar month every year. Our Chinese will celebrate it on that day. I think there are not too many people can reject the temptation of it. I like this festival very much. I have two reasons.

First of all, Mid-autumn has the deep meaning of reunion. In China, people regard Mid-autumn day as very important, so no matter where they are, they will come back to their family if there is a chance. They don’t like celebrate this festival outside, which will make them feel lonely. Thus, they will go home by all means. Luckily, the government also pays great attention to this traditional festival. There are laws tomake sure people have holidays on that special day. In the other word, mid-autumn festival gives a chance for family get together.

Secondly, every family will prepare a big meal on that day. All the food is delicious. It is good to have a big meal. I think nobody will not interested in delicious food. The mooncake is a necessary decoration forMid-autumn day. It tastes good, too. It is the tradition for a long time. How pleased to enjoy the glorious full moon with mooncake!

This is why I love Mid-autumn festival so much.

Notes：

Waiter: This is menu. Are you ready to order now?

Tom: Sorry, we havent decided yet. Could you please give us a little longer?

Waiter: No problem.

Tom: Well, I think I would like to have a shrimp cocktail and the tomato sausage soup first. How about you, Jones.

Jones: The same for me, please.

Waiter: Yes, sir.

Jones: What main dish would you like, Tom?

Tom: Well, Id like the sole, please.

Jones: Ill have the sirloin steak.

Waiter: Yes. What would you like to drink?

Jones: Red wine for me. And you, Tom?

Tom: I think Ill have beer.

Jones: One goblet of red wine and one bottle of beer, please.

Waiter: Would you like a dessert?

Jones: What special kind of desserts do you have?

Waiter: Lemon pie, hot cake in syrup, chocolate sundae and custard pudding.

Tom: Well, I think well order after we finish the main course.

Waiter: All right, Ill bring the soup right away.

服务员:这是菜单。你准备好点菜了吗?

汤姆:对不起,我们还决定。你能请给我们一点时间吗?

侍者:没问题。

汤姆:嗯,我认为我想要一只虾鸡尾酒和第一个番茄红肠汤。你呢,琼斯。

琼斯:请同样的对我来说。

服务员:是的,先生。

琼斯:你喜欢什么主菜,汤姆?

汤姆:嗯,我想唯一,请。

琼斯:我沙朗牛排。

服务员:是的。你想喝点什么?

琼斯:红酒给我。而你,汤姆?

汤姆:我想我有啤酒。

琼斯:一个杯红酒,一瓶啤酒,谢谢。

服务员:你想要甜点吗?

琼斯:你们有什么特色甜品?

服务员:柠檬派,热糖水蛋糕,巧克力圣代和奶油布丁。

汤姆:嗯,我认为我们将订单完成后的主要课程。

服务员:好的,我马上把汤。

中学英语教学大纲中明确指出：“写是书面表达和传递信息的交际能力。培养初步写的能力，是英语教学的目的之一。”在近年的高考中英语写作也占有相当比重。因此，在高中阶段教师应在指导和组织学生进行英语写作上下功夫，在平时教学中应有计划有目的地去训练和提高学生的写作能力。

一、学生能充分认识英语写作的重要性是写作能力提高的必要条件。

英语写作能力的提高需要持之以恒的长期训练。如果学生对写作重要性认识不够，他们就不能积极主动地去配合老师搞好写作训练，甚至产生逆反心理，产生对立情绪，英语写作就会半途而废，达不到预期目的。

在平时教学中，老师要经常性地有意识地对学生进行写作重要性的教育。学生一进入高中就要让他们了解初中和高中英语教学要求的异同。

我给学生找几份中考和高考题，帮助他们了解中考和高考英语试题对基础知识和基本技能要求的相同之处和不同之处，引导他们转变观念，更新和完善学习方法，要让他们了解到英语写作在高考中、实际运用中以及对将来继续学习英语的重要性。

我还联系在过去高考中英语取得优异成绩的毕业生，用书信介绍学好英语的方法，特别是在英语写作方面的成功经验和英语写作对他们当时及后来英语学习的重要性。这些毕业生有很大的感召力，很有说服性，尤其对那些有逆反心理的学生。

二、指导写作应注意的几个问题：

1．教师要有明确合理的教学计划和教学程序，组织系统规范的有序训练。

2．帮助和要求学生养成积极主动地坚持英语写作的良好习惯。

3．坚持循序渐进的训练原则。写作要先易后难，先短后长，先学会运用简单句、并列句，后学会用复合句表达，先写正确句子逐步过渡到围绕一个人、一件事、一个观点去写有中心的文章，由不限定时间到限定时间，由限定时间长到限定时间短，由限定字数少到多……

4．分程度要求。对学生的要求不能一刀切，对学习好的要求要高，对学习差的要求要适当低一些。要避免有些学生轻而易举垂手可得，而有些学生又可望而不可及的情况发生。

5．注意讲评。要经常指出优点，以利模仿，指出缺点，警示避免。

6．鼓励优秀，耐心帮助差生。充分利用板报、专栏进行优秀作文展览，或者也可采用传阅方式进行。但不能放弃或岐视差生，要经常帮助他们树立信心，掌握写作方法和技巧。

7．基础知识和能力并重，听说读和写并举。教师在平时教学中应充分利用一切可以利用的机会启发引导学生提高自己的写作水平。如遇到优秀的句、段或篇提示学生注意欣赏作者的表达法，把它们作为范例，在自己写作中加以模仿和运用。又如遇到英汉表达方法不同之处，提示学生注意英语的正确表达法，切忌出现汉语式的英语。要帮助学生养成正确运用标点符号的好习惯，切忌一点到底的错误方法。

8．要求学生在写作中宁简勿误，不能养成随随便便的习惯，要养成严谨推敲的风气。

三、训练写作的常用方法。

写作训练应考虑循序渐进的原则，采取逐步提高的形式进行。

1．用学过的词、短语或句式，模仿课文中的表达法造句。2．换课文中的人物、时态、语态或体裁等改写课文。3．看图作文。4．填补式作文。5．写课文复述材料或写心得体会。6．将打乱顺序的句子按事件发展的时间顺序或逻辑关系等整理成一篇完整的短文。7．教师给出题目和提纲让学生写作。8．写日记或周记。9．材料作文。教师给出汉语提示让学生用英语表达。

四、注意纠正学生英语作写中容易出现的错误。

学生最初写作时，教师要给予必要的指导，使他们少犯错误。教师还要经常性地例举错误的表达法，提醒学生注意避免。在批阅作文时教师要随时标出学生错误之处，还要随时记录学生所犯错误，把学生的错误加以归类总结，把普遍性的错误提出来，让学生集体改错，使他们的语言表达尽可能地规范正确。

总之，学生英语写作能力在老师有计划的组织和耐心帮助、正确引导下，在学生长期积极密切的配合下是能够得以逐步提高的。

Florence is my favorite city.Its name in Italian means "the city of flowers".And it is located in central Italy.In the north of it are Careggi mountain and Rifredi mountain.Besides,there are always many fine days in Florence.During the 15th century to the 16th century,Florence was the most famous art center in Europe.It is the birthplace of Renaissance,many great artists were born here,like Dante.For me ,Florence has its special meaning.My favorite man who has been living in my heart for two years called Xiang Yutian.Since we first met,his dream is to go to Florence.But his dream failed to be realized until he lost his memory.It is such a great pity.So,if you havent still made up your mind,listen to me,go to Florence and hug the person you love.

[高中英语作文200字

Since we go to school, the teachers educate us to be a better person, they

tell us that we must study hard, so that we can be the useful person. Many

students confuse about what is the useful person. In my opinion, the useful

person must have the good merit.

A person with the kind heart is favored by everyone and he has the sense to

serve others. The bad person will bring danger to others, even to the society.

The most important thing of the useful person is to make a contribution to the

society.

They will make full use of their knowledge and be proud of serving for the

society. Our premier Zhou stated his purpose of learning knowledge was to make

our country rise. He did it and he became the great person. Becoming the useful

person is not easy, we should fight for it.

During these two years, we have seen many movies about the youth, the

directors try to remind people of their passed early days. Indeed, when people

see the movie, they feel the situation is so familiar that they could not help

thinking about their days in the school. As for me, when I see the movie, I will

think about my high school days, it was so unforgettable for me, my friends and

I studied so hard together, our strong friendship was built at that time, the

stupid things we did always makes me laugh. Everyone will have an unforgettable

memory in their early life, the memory fulfills their life.

导语：每个人都有自己的妈妈，你喜欢你的妈妈吗?下面是yuwenmi小编为大家整理的优秀英语作文，欢迎阅读与借鉴，谢谢!

My mother has no idea that her ninetieth birthday is coming up. She has no notion of the time of day, the day of the week. the season of the year, the year of the century. No notion of the approaching millennium. And no idea any longer, who I am. Her forgetting of me happened just a few months ago, after I had been traveling for more than a month and hadnt been to see her. When I came back, she asked me if I were her niece, l said no, I was her daughter. "Does that mean I had you?" she asked. 1 said yes. "Where was I when l had you?" she asked me. I told her she was in a hospital in Far Rockaway. New York. "So much has happened to me in my life." she said "You cant expect me to remember everything."

My mother was once a beautiful woman, but all her teeth are gone now. Toothless. No woman can be considered beautiful. Whenever I visit her in the nursing home, she is sitting at the table in the common dining room, her head in her hands, rocking. Medication has eased her anxiety, but nothing moves her from her stupor except occasional moments of fear, too deep for medication. This is a room that has no windows, that lets in no light, in which an overlarge TV is constantly blaring, sending images that no one looks at where the floors are beige tiles, the walls cream colored at the bottom, papered halfway up with a pattern of nearly invisible grayish leaves. Many of the residents sit staring, slack-jawed, open mouthed. I find it impossible to imagine what they might be looking at.

When I walk into the dining room on the day of my mothers birthday, I see that she has already been served lunch. The staff has forgotten to hold it back. Though I told them a week ago that I would be providing lunch. She hasn’t touched anything on her tray except a piece of carrot cake, which she holds in her hands. The icing is smeared on her hands and face. I dont want my friends to see her smeared with icing, so I wet a paper towel and wipe her. This fills me with a terrible tenderness, recalling, as it does. a gesture I have performed for my children. As I wipe my mothers face, I see that her skin is still beautiful I hold her chin in my hand and kiss her forehead. I tell her its her birthday, that shes ninety years old. "How did that happen?" she asks. "I cant understand how that could happen."

l have brought her a bouquet of crimson, yellow, and salmon-pink snapdragons. She likes the flowers very much. She likes the name. "Snapdragons. It seems like an animal thats going to bite inc. But its not an animal, its a plant. Thats a funny thing,"

I have bought food that I hope will please my mother, and that will be easy for her to eat: orzo salad with little pieces of crayfish cut into it, potato salad, small chunks of marinated tomatoes. I have bought paper plates with a rust-colored background, upon which are painted yellow and gold flowers and blue leaves.

My friends Nola and Gary come for my mothers birthday. When we are about to leave, I tell my mother that Im going on vacation, mat I wont see her for three weeks, that 1 am going to the sea. "How will I stand that, how will I stand thats she says, but I know that a minute after I’m gone shell forget I was there.