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1430作文
1000茶文化英语作文高1
全文共 1682 字
+ 加入清单When a guest comes to my home from afar on a cold night, I light bamboo to
boil tea to offer him. Ancient Chinese poem.China is the home country of tea.
Before the Tang Dynasty, Chinese tea was exported by land and sea, first to
Japan and Korea, then to India and Central Asia and, in the Ming and Qing
dynasties, to the Arabian Peninsula. In the early period of the 17th century,
Chinese tea was exported to Europe, where the upper class adopted the fashion of
drinking tea. Chinese tea like Chinese silk and china has become synonymous
worldwide with refined culture. At the heart of the culture of tea the study and
practice of tea in all its aspects is the simple gesture of offering a cup of
tea to a guest that for Chinese people today is a fundamental social custom, as
it has been for centuries.China traces the development of tea as an art form to
Lu Yu, known as the Saint of Tea in Chinese history, who lived during the Tang
Dynasty and who wrote The Book of Tea, the first ever treatise on tea and tea
culture. The spirit of tea permeates Chinese culture, and throughout the country
there are many kinds of teas, teahouses, tea legends, tea artifacts and tea
customs. Better-known places to enjoy a good cup of tea in China include Beijing
noted for its variety of teahouses; Fujian and Guangdong provinces and other
places in the southeast of China that serve gongfu tea, a formal serving of tea
in tiny cups; the West Lake in Hangzhou, also the home of the Tea Connoisseurs
Association, noted for its excellent green tea; and provinces in southwest China
like Yunnan where the ethnic groups less affected by foreign cultures retain tea
ceremonies and customs in original tea-growing areas.
更多相似作文
篇1:妈妈的爱作文900字
全文共 908 字
+ 加入清单今年暑假里,妈妈带我去了乡下的舅舅家。在乡下的那段日子,很多事情都让我难以忘怀。
舅妈喂养的一只花母鸡孵了一窝小鸡。每天早晨起床我的第一件事就是跑到鸡窝边打开鸡舍,鸡妈妈便迫不及待地带领孩子们出来觅食。它一边走一边扑棱着翅膀,嘴里还一边发出“咕咕……”的叫声,呼唤着它的孩子们。鸡宝宝一个个都毛绒绒的,有黄色的(舅妈说这种颜色的长大了会变成白色的)、黑色的、黑白相间的,跟着妈妈跑来跑去的,可爱极了。
这时,我总忍不住抓起一只放在掌心了抚摸一番。你看它圆圆的小脑袋,圆圆的小眼睛一眨一眨的,嫩黄的尖嘴巴上有两个椭圆的小孔,那就是它的小鼻子了,两只小脚丫就像两片竹叶,小翅膀还没有长开,呈三角形的,整个身体就像一个小绒球,真让我爱不释手。可能是我不小心弄疼了它吧,小鸡发出“叽叽”的叫声,鸡妈妈便不停地“咕咕”叫唤着,看它着急的样子,我便放下了它的孩子。突然一只花猫从屋里窜出来直奔鸡群而去,小鸡们吓得“叽叽”叫着,满院子乱跑,还没容我回过神来,鸡妈妈便哧愣这羽毛冲着大花猫冲过去,连啄带踢,把大花猫吓得落荒而逃。随后鸡妈妈便恢复了温柔的.样子“咕咕”地呼唤着四散的孩子们,直到孩子们一个不少的聚拢在它的身边。
舅妈说,其实大花猫是不吃小鸡的,它是看到了墙边的一只老鼠才不顾一切的冲出来,没想到鸡妈妈误会了,从而放走了那只老鼠。呵呵,不管怎么说,我还是被鸡妈妈那不顾一切保护孩子的行为深深的感动了一回。
这时舅妈拿来一些小米撒在地上,鸡妈妈看到这些东西,立刻咕咕的叫起来,小鸡们听到妈妈的喊声,一拥而来,欢蹦乱跳。再看鸡妈妈,它把小米啄起来又放下去,小鸡们便围着妈妈争先恐后地吃起来。
小鸡们吃得津津有味,不一会地上的小米就吃光了,而鸡妈妈却没吃下一粒。看到这里我的眼睛不由得湿润了,我自己的妈妈何尝不是如此呢!好吃的东西总是往我碗里夹,而她自己却说不喜欢吃,她哪里是不喜欢吃啊,她是不舍得吃。天下的妈妈都是一样的不管人还是动物,母爱是无私的、伟大的、崇高的。妈妈时时刻刻想着自己的孩子,而我却总是惹妈妈生气,真恨不得打自己一顿。
望着鸡妈妈一家我暗暗下决心:妈妈,从今以后再也不惹您生气了,我一定会努力学习,做一个懂事的好孩子!
篇2:我的妈妈精选作文
全文共 344 字
+ 加入清单有人属虎,有人属龙,有人属老鼠,有人属蛇。可我老妈竟然有好几个属相,想知道我老妈为什么有那么多种属相吗?听我慢慢说来。
我的妈妈,长着一米六五的个子,一张漂亮的瓜子脸上有一双炯炯有神的大眼睛,眼睛上方一对乌黑发亮的眉毛,还有一张能说会道的嘴巴。
有一次我出去玩,玩的忘了时间,回家时怕被妈妈发现了,只好偷偷摸摸的。可是开门时声音有点大,还是被妈妈听到了,妈妈猛虎一般的“机关枪”把我打的落花流水,满地找牙,我甘拜下风。看,我的妈妈属虎吧,这么凶猛。
我上学时,为了早晨不迟到,妈妈总是很早就把我叫起床,我如果不起来,妈妈就会用各种手段把我叫醒,浇凉水,挠痒痒……没办法,我只好束手就擒。瞧,我的妈妈又属鸡了吧……
这就是我的妈妈,虽然有时对我凶,有时也打我,但我知道她是最爱我的。妈妈,我也爱您!
篇3:我的妈妈作文400字
全文共 470 字
+ 加入清单她,有着古铜般的肤色。一对弯弯的柳叶眉下面嵌着宝石般的眼眸。精致的脸庞,一笑起来,就漾起一对深深的酒窝。这可不是人人都有的噢!
她就是我的妈妈。她不仅漂亮,还很有趣。
记得那天,舅妈送来两条大黑鱼,放在水池里养着。妈妈给鱼换水时,不料,一条鱼猛然跃起,咬了她一大口。气急败坏的妈妈不管三七二十一,忍住疼痛,抡起木榔头,立即反击,嘴里大声喝道:“胆儿肥了你,没吃你,反倒是吃起人来了!成精了吧!”
你说,鱼能听懂人话吗?
“五一”放假那天,妈妈心血来潮,想给我理发。我的头发又密又粗,妈妈对付得了吗?她按住我的头捣鼓来捣鼓去,还一再安慰我:“你放心,我包你满意哦!”
我默默祈祷着,想象着……
我忍耐了差不多一个小时,才听到妈妈说:“好了,好了,你照镜子看看,还满意不?”我对着镜子左瞅瞅右瞧瞧,只觉得自己的头发像是被狗啃过,又像是个特大号的土豆,真是滑稽!看着我一脸的失落,妈妈只好领我去理发店了!
唉,妈妈呀,没有金刚钻,别揽那瓷器活呀!其实吧,我也没那么在意自己的发型啦,倒是觉得也挺凉快的。
怎么样,你也喜欢我的“趣多多”妈妈吗?她真的非常非常可爱!
篇4:关于生活英语作文高5
全文共 508 字
+ 加入清单During weekdays, I am busy, because I must go to school. I usually get up
at 6:30 a.m.. And then I do some washing. After that, I will have my breakfast
at 6:50. I usually go to school at 7:15. Now, I can go to school and come home
by myself. I have four classes in the morning and three in the afternoon. I have
my lunch at home. I study Chinese, math, English and some other subjects at
school. At night, I can watch TV or play computer. But I have to finish my
homework first. I usually go to bed at 10:00 p.m..
篇5:英语满分优秀作文
全文共 536 字
+ 加入清单dear dick,
i am very glad to hear from you. you asked me about the change of school education in china. we are really happy about the changes called on to reduce learning load. before i had to study six days a week and i always went to bed after 11:30. i seldom had free time to do what i like. but now i have more spare time. i can read many interesting books, watch tv or even do some sports. and i never feel tired in the class as before, because i go bed at 10:00. all of my classmates are happy about this new arrangement of things.
篇6:妈妈我想对你说小学作文怎么写
全文共 373 字
+ 加入清单说起我的妈妈,我的脑海中立即弹出她那张慈祥的面庞,她那颗对我关心的心,我想称赞妈妈一句“妈妈棒”,想起妈妈我会想起一首歌“世上只有妈妈好”对呀失去妈妈的孩子就像一根就要枯死的小草,相反有妈妈的孩子就像一个宝,每天能得到妈妈的母爱,我好羡慕那些有妈妈在身边的孩子啊!
妈妈我想对你说,我需要您我想您,您知道吗?在我上街的时候见到那些有妈妈的孩子,这些孩子总是一个宝,天天都笑容满面的,而我们这些妈妈暂时不在身边的孩子就像一根没有水份的草,这时我的鼻子酸了很想哭。
妈妈我想对你说,在上课时我的同学在议论自己的妈妈,妈妈虽然你不在我身边,但是我为您撒谎了我说,我妈妈现在在广东的电子厂做经济人员,我这样说为的是为你在我的同学达的眼里争个地位。
妈妈我想对你说,在我走在街道上时,别人都会为我:“你的妈妈呢?都出去几年了,她不要你了”,妈妈你真的不要我了吗?
篇7:大学英语
全文共 758 字
+ 加入清单When students are going to high school, they are under great pressure,
because their main goal is to enter the college, so they need to work so hard.
The school will test them so often that they want to get the best scores.
Cheating on the exams is many students’ choice, as they could not do well on the
exam, so they want to find the confidence by getting the high marks. Other
students even buy the exam answers, what they do is totally wrong. Frist, it
will cost students a lot of money on buying the answer, it refers to spend their
parents’ money, it is not easy to earn money. Second, the answers that students
buy are not accurate all the time, most of the answers are wrong, students are
easy to get cheated. Students should work hard to improve their study.
篇8:端午节的习俗英语高中
全文共 853 字
+ 加入清单Dear Maria,
Im very happy that you are interested in Chinese culture,especially the festivals.Now let me tell you something about the Dragon Boat Festival.The Dragon Boat Festival,also called the Duanwu Festival ,is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month according to the Chinese calendar.People always eat rice dumplings and watch dragon boat races to celebrate it.
The festival is best known for its dragon-boat races,especially in the southern places where there are many rivers and lakes. It’s very popular.
The rice dumpling is made of glutinous rice,meat and so on. You can eat different kinds of rice dumplings.They are very delicious.
And Dragon Boat Festival is for Qu Yuan. He is an honest minister who is said to have committed suicide by drowning himself in a river.
Overall, the Dragon Boat Festival is very interesting!
Your friend
Li Hua
篇9:描写妈妈变了五年级作文500字
全文共 681 字
+ 加入清单“时间都去哪儿了,还没好好感受年轻就老了……”这是我很喜欢的一首歌,因为它道出了时间消失之快。在接触这首歌之前,我曾认为妈妈永远是那个身上散发着青春气息的少女,但当我仔细观察妈妈,我这才意识到:妈妈变了、她变老了……
记得小的时候,妈妈常带着我去爬山游玩,经常是她背着我,我提着小水壶趴在她的背上,她一气呵成爬上山顶。可是,当时间慢慢推移,再与她故地重游时,我才发现,妈妈在上山过程中,喘气急促多了,速度也没有那么快了。经常是走走停停,原本那个健步如飞的妈妈成了随时让我“慢一些!”的她……她变了,她变老了,或许再过几年,等我长大成人后,妈妈就快走不动了。
妈妈不仅是走路时发生了变化,就连那总洋溢着笑容的脸和那一头乌黑的长发也变了。
小时候,我最喜欢的事,便是靠在妈妈的怀中,抚摸着她那又黑又顺的长发。三千银丝,犹如瀑布倾泻而下,也总是散发着一股独特的香气……现在的我,仍和小时候一样,赖在妈妈怀中,她也仍是那个爱笑的妈妈。妈妈莞尔,像阳光,乐观而向上。可如今,她脸上竟平添了几道皱纹。笑还是那么亲切,但现在的笑容,却总让我感到一阵苦涩,好似有什么东西哽咽在了心口,说不清、道不明。有时,我真想将它们全部“抚平”,这样,妈妈就不会再变了。渐渐地,我想通了,只有珍惜现在与妈妈在一起的时光,珍惜时间,才不会追悔莫及。
“一寸光阴一寸金,寸金难买寸光阴”。是啊,当我在长大的同时,妈妈在变老,从她那历经沧桑的脸上便可看出。同学们,你可有注意过妈妈在变,她的身体在变,年龄在变……。只有她对你的爱万古不移、亘古不变。请珍惜与她在一起的每一分每一秒。因为,有一天,她终将老去!
篇10:寒假英语作文高一100词
全文共 626 字
+ 加入清单As a student, I expect the winter holiday very much, because I don’t have
to go to school every day. So I can sleep and get up late. But this winter
holiday, I am not very happy. I didn’t do well in the final exam. It makes my
parents disappointed. I feel sorry to them. Besides, I got ill the whole winter
holiday. I caught a cold at first and then had a fever. I had to see a doctor
every day. My parents worried much about me. Because of the illness, I didn’t
have a good time during the New Year. Now, I am a little better. I hope I could
be well soon, because the new term is beginning. I don’t want to go to school
with illness.
篇11:描写我的妈妈的作文
全文共 360 字
+ 加入清单我的妈妈可漂亮了!她的皮肤白白的,脸圆圆的,头发长长的,总是散发着淡淡的香味,眉毛弯弯的,眼睛大大的,鼻子呢,不太高,嘴巴小小的。她常常化着淡淡的妆,充满自信。妈妈身材也不错,常常问我和爸爸穿哪条裙子好看,我和爸爸总是相视一笑说:“都好看!”这时候妈妈总是哈哈大笑。
妈妈经常带我一起旅行,一起做实验,一起读书、看新闻……我们有聊不完的话题,忆不完的快乐时光。当我犯错误的时候,妈妈会给我讲道理,当然了,实在忍无可忍时,妈妈也会像一只大老虎。
我的妈妈爱读书,还经常做笔记,琴棋书画样样通一些,我们会互相学习,共同进步。
妈妈还会做一手好菜,最拿手的是:香辣虾、蒸鱼、爆炒牛肉丝,总是让我回味无穷。
妈妈对待长辈也很上心,常常给奶奶修脚、捶背……爷爷住院时,妈妈忙前忙后,做营养餐,无微不至!让我懂得了百善孝为先。
我爱我的妈妈。
篇12:关于朋友英语作文高中
全文共 3213 字
+ 加入清单There is an old Chinese saying: Top students come from strict teachers.
Perhaps affected by this saying for a long time, we believe it right. However,
as time flies, lots of things have changed. Therefore, I am eager to discuss
what relation is the best between teachers and students.A teacher can treat a
student in two ways .One is strict, and the other is friendly. Most teachers
prefer the first way.To start with, we certainly have to admit that strictness
is very effective, especially to the naughty pupils.
As pupils we aren’t able to control ourselves well or fix our attention on
one thing for a long time. We do most things because they are interesting or we
feel like doing. We are always looking out of the window in class. Sometimes, we
get to play games and forget our homework. On this occasion, strictness is a
must. It not only forces us to do the right thing, but also helps us develop a
good learning habit, which is of great importance during our whole life .In
other words, it is the first step to success.Still, everything has two sides.
Its weak points are very obvious. You see, there’re top students in a class,
where average students make up the majority. Then teachers’ orders or
suggestions are for the majority, not for top students. However, top students
always have their own study plans and prefer special homework, so orders usually
won’t take great effect on them.
Maybe you have thought out that teachers can give orders only to the
majority and set some freedom to top students. However, it’s impossible .For a
whole class, teachers couldn’t give order to part of the class, for the majority
would question why they needn’t do such work, but we need? It would be probable
that they think teachers treat them not equally, and will not obey teachers’
orders any more. This is a difficulty for teachers.It also has another
disadvantage——the communication problem .Since teachers are strict, we never
tell teachers our personal affairs or secrets. Mostly we just tell them to our
friends, but as students too, they couldn’t help to solve our problem, such as
puppy love, communication problems or study problems .Not being solved
completely, they always disturb us, influencing our daily life and study. I’m
sure that you think that making friends with teachers can solve the problem, and
you are eager to do so as well. But if we do so, new problems will come out .You
see, an adult couldnt control himself well at times, let alone us students.
However if teachers are our friends, I doubt whether their orders will take
effect any more .You see, have we ever treated our friends’ orders as orders? We
think they’re only jokes. This is another difficulty for teachers.Additionally,
our parents have the same problem. Yes, we need to be friends, but not complete
friends. We need to keep a certain distance, making us communicate well and
willing to take your orders. I remember a story.One day, a lady had her rest
room decorated. And a skilled worker was bricking up the wall. Seeing large
cracks between the bricks, she questioned why. The worker told her after this
summer, the bricks would become bigger, and those cracks would disappear.That is
not only decoration, but also communication. The principle is the same.
篇13:满分高中英语作文
全文共 1144 字
+ 加入清单Tourism in China
Recent years have seen a tendency in China that tourism is growing faster. According to a recent survey made by some experts, about 47% urban residents travel regularly, and 28% rural residents also make their tour across the country. The survey also shows that more people are interested in tourism, and will join the army in the future.
Facing this tendency, we can’t help exploring some underlying factors that are responsible. In the very first place, with the policy of reform and opening up, Chinese people’s living standard has been greatly improved, and therefore, most of them can afford to travel around. What’s more, it is believed that people now take a more positive attitude to tourism, and regard it as a life style. In addition, tourism facilities are becoming better and better. For example, transportation develops fast, and many scenic spots are available now.
中国旅游
最近几年,在中国的趋势,旅游业增长较快。根据最近的一项调查显示一些专家认为,约47%城镇居民定期作出旅行,28%的农村居民,也使他们的全国巡演。该调查还显示,更多的人在旅游有兴趣,并会在将来加入。
面对这一趋势,我们不能不说是负责任的开发一些潜在因素。在第一个地方,随着改革开放政策,对中国人民的生活水平有了很大提高,因此,他们大多数都不能周游。更重要的是,它相信,人们现在更积极的态度,旅游业,把它作为一种生活方式。此外,旅游设施正在变得越来越好。例如,交通运输发展迅速,许多景点都已经上市。
篇14:英语中秋节作文高一100词
全文共 1278 字
+ 加入清单Mid-autumn day is a special festival in China, which is one of the
traditional Chinese festivals. Itfalls on the 15th day of august lunar month
every year. Our Chinese will celebrate it on that day. I think there are not too
many people can reject he temptation of it. I like this festival very much. I
have two reasons.
First of all, mid-autumn has the deep meaning of reunite. 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 to make sure people have holidays in 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 in that day. All the food is
delicious. It is good to have a big meal. I think nobody will not interest in
delicious food. The mooncake is a necessary decoration for mid-autumn day. It
tastes good, too. It is the traditional for a long time. How pleased to enjoy
the glorious full moon with mooncake!
This is why I love mid-autumn festival so much. It is funny and happy
time.
篇15:爬山高三英语词
全文共 402 字
+ 加入清单One day, mother and i went to climb mount huang. when i began to climb, i
felt very easy. but when i climbed the haft way, i was very tired.and quite out
of breath. i asked mother, "can i climb to the top?" mother answered, "as long
as you have courage, you can conquer every mountain,
no matter how high it is! "so i went ahead. half an hour later, i climbed
to the top finally. what a wonderful day i had!
篇16:关于志愿者英语
全文共 890 字
+ 加入清单The volunteering spirit has spread among the Chinese people in recent
years,especially among young people。
Volunteering is of tremendous benefits to both those in need and
society.Take the Wenchuan Earthquake as an example.Hundreds of thousands of
volunteers play an active role in Wenchuan quake-hit areas.And they contribute
daily necessaries,offer medical help and psychological help to the disaster
relief work.
Besides,volunteering would be beneficial to the volunteers
themselves~Getting involved in volunteering,volunteers will be exposed to a new
environment,and they can learn how to work well in a team,how to improve their
interpersonal skills and organizational skills,all of which are critical for
their professional growth。As a college student,I sincerely hope that everyone
would join the volunteering work.It is not only good to our society,but also a
chance for us to grow and to learn.
篇17:有关污染英语作文高中
全文共 882 字
+ 加入清单In the past few decades, our Earth has changed a lot, but to the bad
direction. Among these changes, the air pollutions resulting from a huge number
of automobiles and coal-burning is almost the severest. The severe air pollution
alarms humans of the heavy load we have exerted on Earth by our insatiable
production and usage of automobiles. However, with the deepening of
urbanization, more cars are needed, which will make the air pollution worse.
Therefore, the following actions should be taken. First, we should apply the
most cutting-edge technologies in order to adopt new forms of energy as
substitutes for fossil fuels. Second, try hard to develop possible
transportation means, which are enviromental friendly. So that the citizens can
reduce the dependence on cars. In short, our humans should take responsibilities
for the air pollution and have to find ways to solve this problem.
篇18:高三英语作文传统文化100词
全文共 1307 字
+ 加入清单If the most beautiful season of the year is spring, for me, the most
interesting festival of the year is the new years Eve! On that day, we should
not only eat family reunion dinner, but also staying-up late on new years
eve.
Remember that the day to eat reunion dinner, people began to play cards,
chat, play mahjong, our children, began playing the fun of firecrackers, there
are all kinds of varieties, "this" and "Scud", "delta ray" and so on, we played
awfully.
I also went to the house to see from time to time and funny TV comic sketch
"Spring Festival Gala" performance, I and my buddy will laugh and laugh, see
magic in those big magician performing magic show, we were amazed.
Time flies, blink of an eye to 11:45, suddenly rang out a loud bursts of
firecrackers, we are e--cited to join them, just open the door, I saw the
fireworks are riotous with colour dark sky dancers.
At 11:50, we cant wait to just wrapped dumplings into the boiling water,
mom and dad put a cover on the pot, cook for a while, 12 oclock, finally boil
the dumplings, grandma and grandpa a sung, I smell from afar dumplings
fragrance, went straight to the kitchen, when the taste delicious dumplings,
happy in the heart.
One year spent similar, each year is different, when the new years Eve, it
means spring is coming, the new year has begun!
篇19:我的妈妈作文200字优秀作文
全文共 234 字
+ 加入清单我有一个好妈妈,她有一头乌黑的.短发,大大的眼睛,高高的鼻梁上架着一副眼镜。
妈妈每天上班很忙,但是晚上回到家还是不顾自己工作上的疲倦,耐心地给我辅导功课,遇到我做错的题目,她总是教给我解决问题的方法。有一次,我被一道数学题难住了,想了好久结果还是做错了,妈妈拿过题目一边做草稿一边不厌其烦地给我讲解先算什么再算什么,听妈妈这么一说,我就理解该怎么做了。接着妈妈又给我出了几道相似的题目让我解答,直到我完全掌握为止。
这就是我的妈妈,一个世界上最爱我的妈妈。我也非常爱她。
篇20:关于我的妈妈英语作文
全文共 3620 字
+ 加入清单1、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.
2、l have brought her a bouquet of crimson, yellow, and salmon-pink snapdragons. She likes the flowers very much.
3、 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.
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.