Tales from the Huffmans

      Our spring season¹ this year has been a cool, rainy and stormy one, so I was pleased a day or two ago to see the first ripening² of our strawberries³ in the back yard.  It is about two weeks later than usual, but that is also true for the rest of the plants.  We planted some vegetables in the garden about a month ago, but while that was later than usual, it was actually the first time this spring that the soil⁴ was dry enough to plow⁵, and dry enough to plant typical vegetables⁶ (peppers⁷, beans, zucchini squash⁸, radishes⁹, and tomatoes.)

      While I like seeing other plants develop in the spring - what could be prettier than the various shades of green¹⁰ as trees begin to form buds, then leaves and blossoms on the fruit trees - I long ago decided that strawberries are my favorite plants to watch develop following winter¹¹.  Because of the severe winter in this part of the U.S. it is necessary to place a protective layer¹² of straw or leaves over the dark green mature¹³ plants.

      When one begins to see the bright green plants poke¹⁴ their heads through their winter bedding¹⁵, it is a sure sign of spring arriving.  As spring advances¹⁶, one next sees the strawberry leaves turn dark green, and within a month or so, the beautiful white blossoms¹⁷ appear like a dusting of snow¹⁸ on the green plants.  Flowers give rise to¹⁹ the strawberry fruits - actually the fruits are small seeds embedded²⁰ in the receptacle²¹, the base of the flower - so this is a multiple berry²² fruit.  The receptacle tissue enlarges and becomes white to light yellow within another week, and finally the brilliant red²³ color replaces the lighter hues²⁴ to form the nearly conical²⁵ strawberry with the lighter color seeds imbedded²⁰ in the receptacle.

      This year we had lots of moisture²⁶, and the berries are larger than usual, and the taste is milder and sweeter than usual.  From my youth I remember this as one of the truly most delightful tastes²⁷ of any food.  If one takes a ripe berry directly from the plant, places it in the mouth, and slowly chews²⁸ the berry, there is that delightful fruity taste which is accompanied by the fresh scent²⁹ which is detected immediately in the nose.  Maybe it is just because the strawberry is one of the earliest of berries found in the year, and while I like berries of almost any sort, none has a more delicate³⁰ taste to me than a strawberry.

      One can eat strawberries in a number of ways and enjoy them.  I think one of the best ways, other than eating them fresh³¹, is to make strawberry shortcake³² by placing spoonfuls of fresh strawberries over a small, flat cake, and perhaps topping this with a bit of whipped cream³³, or ice cream.  This is as much a rite of spring³⁴ as the first robin³⁵ appearing in the yard!

      Some people prefer fresh strawberries with cream, or strawberries on waffles³⁶ with syrup, strawberries in jam or jelly, etc.  I also like strawberry pies, but when I was very young, I learned that strawberries on peanut butter and bread was a delicious treat³⁷.  I still like to try that each spring!

      Yes, I like nearly all types of berries, but strawberries certainly rank³⁸ very high, along with love’s first kiss, as something to be remembered for life. (575 words)

Notes:

1. spring season: April to June in northern U.S. areas (春季，美国北部为四至六月).

2. ripening: 成熟

3. strawberries: 草莓

4. soil: 土壤，泥土

5. plow: turn over the earth so that seeds can be planted (耕地，翻土).

6. typical vegetables: common vegetables grown in the Midwest (有代表性的蔬菜).

7. peppers: 圆椒

8. zucchini (squash): 密生西葫芦

9. radishes: 小萝卜

10. various shades of green: different degrees of green from light to dark, etc. (不同深浅度的绿色).

11. strawberries are my favorite plants to watch develop following winter: 草莓是冬季过后我最喜欢观察其成长的植物。句中to watch develop 等于 to watch them develop，因此可以说这里省略了作为宾语的 plants。

12. protective layer: a covering of insulating material such as straw or leaves to prevent damage during the severe winter weather (保护层，用草、叶子铺成，避免在严冬中冻坏).

13. mature: of a fully developed stage of growth (成熟期的).

14. poke: push up through the covering layer of straw or leaves (露出，伸出).

15. winter bedding:（有保护层的）冬季花坛

16. as spring advances: as the spring develops seasonally (随着春天的脚步不断向前).

17. blossoms: the flowers of a plant (植物的花).

18. a dusting of snow: a light covering of snow (一层薄薄的雪).

19. give rise to: be the reason why something happens (引起，导致).

20. embedded (imbedded): put something firmly and deeply into something else (嵌入，插入).

21. receptacle: the base of the flowering stem to which the other parts of the flower are attached (花托).

22. multiple berry: a fruit in which many berry seeds are formed within or on the fleshy receptacle tissue (多籽莓). Other fruits of this type include blackberries, raspberries, and mulberries.

23. brilliant red color: bright, shining red color (艳红色).

24. the lighter hues: 各种浅（红）色

25. conical: cone-shaped with greater width at the base and narrowing to the top (锥形的).

26. moisture:（土壤）潮湿

27. tastes: 味道

28. chew: 嚼

29. scent: odor or smell detected by the nose (气味).

30. delicate: very subtle, not overwhelming, pleasant and not strong (淡雅的，清淡的).

31. other than eating them fresh: 除了吃新鲜的以外

32. strawberry shortcake: cake over which strawberries are poured and often with whipped cream or ice cream on top (草莓奶油酥饼，草莓冰淇淋酥饼). This is a very popular springtime dessert.

33.whipped cream: heavy rich cream which is beaten by a fork or mixer until it thickens because of air combined within the cream (掼奶油).

34. rite of spring: a ritual or event which repeats each year (春天的典礼、仪式).

35. first robin: the first sighting of a robin, a bird often associated with the arrival of spring (看到的第一只鸫，常与春天的到来连在一起).

36. waffles: 烘饼，华夫饼

37. treat: something that is very special to eat; not an ordinary food item (非常好吃的东西).

38. rank: be placed or rated in a definite order from top to bottom (具有……等级).

We like to cook using our outdoor grill¹ when the weather is nice.  It is located² outside the door leading to our office area and is quite convenient³ for us.  We have a cement patio⁴ there and even if the yard is a little muddy⁵ sometimes, we can grill without getting our feet dirty too. 

Some people grill⁶ all year long.  We have friends in Idaho⁷ who will sometimes use their grill when there is snow on their deck⁸.  We don’t care to do that.  So, for us, our first cookout meal⁹ signals¹⁰ that spring has really arrived for us.  There are other terms for grilling.  Some people refer to it as “barbecuing.”  Others just say that they are “cooking out.”  However they refer to it, many people love to do it and love meat prepared that way.  When the Spanish explorers¹¹ first came to the islands of the Caribbean¹², they saw the Indians¹³ cooking meat over charcoal¹⁴.  They tried the meat prepared this way and liked it very much.  The Spanish called this type of cooking “barbacoa¹⁵,” so that is how we got the term “barbecue.” 

We have enjoyed grilling for many years.  Our first grill was a small hibachi¹⁶ grill that we would use in our back yard.  It cooked the food with charcoal.  Later, when we wanted a larger grill, we purchased a large gas grill which was supposed to be efficient.  However, it actually seemed to be more trouble to us because we had to replace propane fuel tanks¹⁷.  Also propane is potentially more dangerous to work with than charcoal¹⁸.  We also prefer the taste of charcoal grilled meat.  Therefore, that’s the type of grill we have now.

This past Sunday we had our first cook out of the season.  Our four good friends from Zhejiang University, Ying Hui Lan, He Lian Zhen, Xiong Hai Hong  and Jiang Jing Yang, are visiting us, so we wanted to share our love of grilling with them.  Kim bought chicken, bratwursts (German sausages) and hamburger to grill.  We had a lot of meat, buns, coleslaw (a cabbage salad), and potato chips, a typical cook out menu. 

Kim got the meat ready to cook and Don did the grilling.  He always enjoys doing that.  The day was lovely, so after we all stuffed¹⁹ ourselves, we relaxed²⁰ however we wished.  Our four guests played cards in the yard, Don dozed²¹ out under a tree, and Kim and I relaxed inside the house.  I feel that Spring is now officially²² here, and I’m so very pleased that our special friends from China were here with us on Sunday.

Notes:

1. grill: a device in which charcoal is burned and food is cooked on a metal rack above the charcoal (烧烤用炉具).  Grills come in many sizes; our present one is about 2 ft. diameter.  There are cookbooks and magazines completely devoted to grilling because of its popularity.

2. located: placed or set up in a given area of choice (位于，置于).

3. convenient: useful, near at hand (方便的).

4. cement patio: a flat area paved with concrete (铺了水泥的后院).

5. muddy: having wet soil which readily clings to shoes and clothing (泥泞的).

6. grill: cook on a grill over charcoal or other fuel (烧烤).

7. Idaho: a mountainous state in the northwest part of the United States (爱达荷州，位于美国西北部，州内多山).

8. deck: a flat floored roofless area adjoining a house (与房子衔接的木制平台).

9. cookout meal: food prepared out of doors (露天烧烤的饭菜).

10. signals: is a sign that something is going to happen (表明，表示).

11. explorers: people who travel to new or unknown areas to discover new information (探险者).

12. the Caribbean: 加勒比海

13. Indians: the indigenous people found living in the Americas when they were  

discovered by the Spanish and Portuguese explorers (土著印第安人).

14. charcoal: 炭

15. barbacoa: the Spanish language term for cooking over charcoal (西班牙语的“烧烤”).

16. hibachi: a small charcoal grill or brazier, the term derived from Japanese language (手提式小炭炉，该词来自于日语).

17. propane fuel tanks: 罐装的丙烷燃料

18. propane is potentially more dangerous to work with than charcoal: 丙烷使用起来会比炭危险.

19. stuffed: (American slang) filled (填饱肚皮).

20. relaxed: rested, or remaining inactive from most movement (放松).

21. dozed: napped or slept lightly (打盹).

22. officially: generally accepted or recognized (真正地).

Almost every spring since I was a child I’ve been involved one way or another with spring cleaning.  My mother thought that spring cleaning had to include a complete change of curtains on all of the windows in the house where I grew up.  She would take them all down, carefully launder¹ them, and then tell me to dust all of the slats² at the windows, which we called Venetian blinds³.  That was a job I thoroughly hated, so needless to say, I have none of those blinds and very few curtains in my house.

Still, there are spring cleaning chores⁴ which I always do, and which I have been doing recently.  I like to go through our clothing, decide what I think we will not wear again, put those items in a very large plastic bag, and then take them to the Pella Clothing Bank⁵.  At the Clothing Bank people can obtain needed clothing items for a very small amount of money, or even free, if they really have no money to spend.  The Clothing Bank does not try to make any money, but just provide clothing for needy⁶ individuals.  I have gone through several closets⁷ and we have taken about four large bags of clothing to the Clothing Bank.  I always feel good about that.

I have also gone through our many shelves of books and found some books that I was able to part with⁸.  It is difficult for me to part with my books, but there are some I know I really won’t want to keep for any important reason, so these books we put in a box and took to the Pella Public Library⁹.  Several times a year the library has a book sale. Many people donate books to be sold there at very cheap prices, and the money goes for items that the library needs, like extra book shelves, computer paper etc.  As usual, I found some books that we really could part with, so Don carried a box of books to the library and left them to be sold at the book sale two weeks ago.

Pella also has what we call our Food Shelf¹⁰.  This is a place where townspeople bring canned and boxed food items that can be given to people in need of food.  For many people their contributions¹¹ to the Food Shelf are given through the church they attend.  Once a month we go through our pantry¹² and take food items or personal items such as soap and tooth paste to our church to be given to the Food Bank.  That is a year round type of “cleaning” for me.¹³

Last week my cleaning lady and I made a thorough spring cleaning of my spice cupboard¹⁴.  We checked all of the things in it, decided what spices were no longer fresh enough to use etc.  The unwanted items were thrown away; they wouldn’t be good for anyone.  However, I feel very good about that job because now I know what I have and also feel that everything is really fresh.

Today I am cleaning another kitchen cupboard.  In it I keep many small plastic food storage containers¹⁵.  These containers are useful but take up a lot of space.  Their lids also get misplaced¹⁶.  Don and I have decided on a different way to store the containers after I have gone through them.  Perhaps I won’t lose so many lids this way.  Wish me luck!

Notes:

1. launder: wash and iron clothes, sheets etc. (洗熨).

2. slats: thin flat pieces of wood, plastic etc. used especially in furniture (板条).

3. Venetian blinds: 百叶窗帘

4. chores: jobs which must be done regularly (日常琐事).

5. Pella Clothing Bank: a room in a city building where used clothing in good condition for further wear can be left, and which is then either sold for a minimal cost, or given to people who need it (派拉旧衣库，用来放置还可以继续穿的旧衣服以便低价出售或送给需要的人).

6. needy:  having very little food or money (穷困的).

7. closets: cupboards built into the walls of a house from the floor to the ceiling for the storage of clothing (壁橱).

8. part with: give something to someone else (给别人).

9. Pella Public Library: 派拉公共图书馆

10. food shelf: an area in the city where food may be collected and made available to needy families (食品架，收集食品的地方，并将这些食品送给贫困的家庭).  It is free on an “honor system” in which those who say they are in need of food are permitted to take a certain amount of food without cost, each week.

11. contributions: items given voluntarily (贡献出来的东西).

12. pantry: 食品储藏室

13. That is a year round type of “cleaning” for me：这就是我每年搞一次的清理。

14. spice cupboard: 调料橱柜

15. plastic food storage containers: plastic containers of varied size and shapes which may be used to store food temporarily (塑料食品盒).

16. get misplaced: 被放错了地方

Whenever I travel, I wear a strange looking necklace² that people often ask me about.  I tell them that it is my talisman¹.  What is a talisman?  According to my dictionary, it is the following: “an object which you believe has magic powers to protect you or bring you luck.”  American Indians³ and Eskimos⁴ also refer to such an object as a fetish⁵, “an object, especially a carved⁶ object, which is supposed to have religious significance or magical powers⁷.”  I am in Hangzhou, China, now, so I wear it every day.

Of course, according to my culture and my beliefs, I don’t believe in magical powers, but somehow, I feel good when I wear my talisman.  My talisman was carved from ivory⁸ by an Eskimo in Alaska⁹.  It is supposed to represent an Eskimo traditional god, a billikin¹⁰, who protects travelers.  It was given to me one summer many years ago when I was teaching at the University of Alaska.  I have worn it when traveling since then.  I feel very good when I do.  It is a small talisman, about an inch long, with a tiny funny carved face, and a little gold belly button¹¹.  It is a friendly looking little god, and I like to think it’s truly protecting me. 

Coincidentally¹², at the moment I am reading a paperback book that I brought with me to China.  It is a mystery about a Navajo Indian¹³ police officer, a young woman who wears a talisman/fetish necklace to ward off evil.  In the book she refers to it as a fetish of a badger¹⁴, a small wild animal which has a wide head and two wide black stripes on it.  On the cover of the book there is a picture of her badger/fetish.  When I first saw it in the book store, the picture interested me and made me want to buy the book. 

I also have another fetish, a carved turquoise bear¹⁵ that my son bought me one time when he was in Colorado¹⁶, a traditional American Indian area.  I don’t wear it when I travel, but I often wear it at home because it is so pretty.  It’s probably strange that I’m the one who wears such an item.  I have absolutely¹⁷ no American Indian ancestry¹⁸.  Don does, but he never wears such a thing, though we both have small representations of our Chinese Zodiac signs¹⁹ that we wear.  Thus I feel I’m doubly protected by two very different cultural icons²⁰. 

Notes:

1. talisman: an object thought to act as a charm to avert or prevent evil and bring good fortune (护身符，驱邪物).

2. necklace: a piece of jewelry that is worn around the neck (项链).

3. American Indians: native populations in North America who preceded the settlers from Europe (美洲印第安人，先于欧洲来的定居者之前的土著人群).

4. Eskimos: members of people of northern Canada, Greenland, Alaska and eastern Siberia (爱斯基摩人，居住于加拿大北部，格陵兰，阿拉斯加以及西伯利亚的东部).

5. refer to such an object as a fetish: 把这种东西称作 “fetish”。

6. carved: formed by cutting with a knife on wood, ivory, or other material (经过雕刻的).

7. magical powers: possessing the ability or strength to do something supernatural (神奇的力量，魔力).

8. ivory: 象牙

9. Alaska: 阿拉斯加，美国最北面的一个州。

10. billikin: a small carved image which is supposed to represent an Eskimo god (一雕刻物，是爱斯基摩人的神像).

11. belly button: 肚脐

12. coincidentally: occurring or existing at the same moment or time; occurs by chance (巧合地，碰巧地).

13. Navajo Indian: a tribe or group of American Indians located in the southwestern part of the U.S., mostly in Arizona and New Mexico (纳瓦霍族人，美洲印第安人的一个部落，大部分居住于美国西南部的亚利桑那、新墨西哥州).

14. badger: 獾

15. turquoise bear: a representation of bear carved from a semi-precious stone called turquoise which is some shade of green with bluish or grayish tints (绿松石熊，由绿松石雕刻而成，呈青绿色).

16. Colorado: a western, mountainous state which is originally the home of many different American Indian tribes, and with many cultural artifacts found there (科罗拉多州，位于美国西部，多山，是许多美国印第安部落的最早居住地，有许多历史悠久的手工艺品).

17. absolutely: certainly so; without doubt; always true (绝对地).

18. ancestry: family background; forebears, line of descent in a family (祖先).

19. Chinese zodiac signs: characteristics or images for the twelve parts of the Chinese cycle of years (中国的十二生肖).

20. cultural icons:（不同）文化的偶像或崇拜物

As I celebrated another birthday, I couldn’t help¹ reflecting on² how one’s attitude³ changes toward his/her birthday over the years.  I know mine certainly has.⁴  When I was young and growing up in the agricultural⁵ state of Illinois my mid-August birthday always coincided⁶ with the Illinois State Fair⁷, held in the capital city⁸ of Springfield, just an hour’s drive from my home town.  My grandparents always enjoyed going to the state fair and so did I.  What made it special for me was the big picnic lunch⁹ that my grandmother packed, including a rich chocolate cake with candles¹⁰ on it. 

When we arrived at the fair, we would head for¹¹ the animal barns¹², my grandfather’s favorite place to go, and then to the needlework¹³ and food contest¹⁴ area, my grandmother’s favorite.  As a birthday present, my grandparents always let me ride on some of the carnival rides¹⁵, just as long as they weren’t the dangerous¹⁶ ones.  Later on in the day, after our delicious¹⁷ picnic lunch, I would sleep in the back seat of the car until we reached home.  Those celebrations certainly were special.

As I grew older, I would want to be with my friends on my birthday.  I know that my grandparents were disappointed¹⁸ that our annual trip to the fair no longer held the charm¹⁹ it once did, but that is a case of hindsight²⁰ now.

Friends and family still are the center of birthdays for me.  This year Don was away in the state of West Virginia attending a mushroom meeting on my birthday, so my daughter Kim invited me to go shopping and to dinner with her in Des Moines.  We spent most of our time in a large book store, browsing²¹ through books, a real joy for both of us.  I had been given a gift certificate²² for purchasing books at that book store, and I had a whole list of books I was interested in.  It was fun to browse, pick out a few books, and then sit in the coffee bar²³ with Kim as we both decided which books we should get.  bought a new one, THE SILK ROAD IN CHINA²⁴ and one about the Navajo Indian code talkers²⁵ and how they functioned during WWII.  After we bought our books, we met some of Kim’s friends at a seafood restaurant, and I had their delicious clam strips²⁶ and clam chowder²⁷ (soup).  I certainly didn’t want or need birthday cake after that rich meal.

Monday son Jim came to have lunch with us.  He also gave me a gift certificate for the book store.  Now I have a good excuse²⁸ to go there again soon.  Last night my friend Barb invited us over for dinner as a “late” celebration, she said.  Knowing how much I like soups and salads of all sorts, that is what she served.  Again, I didn’t need a cake!

I am happy to still have birthdays, of course, but best of all is that I have good friends and a great family to celebrate them with.  Right?

Notes:

1. couldn’t help (reflecting on …): 不禁（想到……）

2. reflecting on: thinking about

3. attitude: way of thinking about something; a feeling or emotion about a fact (看法，态度)

4. I know mine certainly has: I know my attitude certainly has changed.

5. agricultural: having to do with farming (农业的).  Illinois is a state with much rich farmland.

6. coincided: occurred at the same time (同时发生，巧合)

7. Illinois State Fair: name of large annual basically agricultural exhibits along with recreation and food booth held in most agricultural states in the U.S. (伊利诺斯州集市，美国大多数的农业州都会举行每年一次的集市，以农商品为主，还有娱乐活动和吃食摊点等).

8. held in the capital city: 在（该州的）首府举行

9. picnic lunch: 作为中饭的野餐

10. candles：蜡烛

11. head for …: walk toward (a place) (向……走去)

12. animal barns: large barns where horses, cows, pigs and sheep are exhibited (展出马，牛，猪，羊的大型牲口棚). 

13. needlework: handwork done with needles of several types (用各种针线缝制的东西). 

14. food contest:（进入集市的各种）食品竞赛 

15. carnival rides: various types of entertainment equipment such as bumper cars, ferris wheels, merry-go.-rounds, etc. (游艺场各种供娱乐的设施，如碰碰车，大型转轮，旋转木马等) 

16. dangerous: capable of causing injury or damage to a person (危险的)

17. delicious: 美味的

18. disappointed: saddened or regretful (失望)

19. charm: attractiveness or appeal (魅力，诱人之处)

20. hindsight: Perception of the nature of an event after it has happened (事后认识，事后的聪明)

21. browsing: slowly looking at books (浏览，随便翻阅)

22. gift certificate: a card or a piece of paper which can be exchanged in a shop for goods of the value that is printed on it (礼卷)

23. coffee bar: usually a small restaurant specializing in coffee and other soft drinks along with sandwiches and desserts

24. SILK ROAD IN CHINA (中国丝绸之路): a book written about the road taken by silk merchants carrying their merchandise to the Middle East and exchanging it for Middle Eastern products, particularly spices and technology.

25. NAVAJO INDIAN CODE TALKERS (纳瓦霍印第安语密码): a book about American Indian language being used during WWII to confuse the intelligence operations of the Axis nations. 

26. clam strips: small pieces of the flesh from clams, usually deep fried in oil (蛤蜊肉)

27. clam chowder: a thick soup prepared with clams cooked with milk or cream (蛤蜊浓汤).

28. excuse: a reason which may or may not be real ( 理由，借口).

On my Independence Day blog I wrote about our special ice cream treats¹.  Then yesterday I found out in the newspaper that July is National Ice Cream Month².  In 1984 President Ronald Reagan made the decree³ and even named the third Sunday of July as Ice Cream Day.  Knowing us, I am sure we will properly celebrate the day and help the U.S. ice cream industry make its more than 21 billion dollars in annual sales.⁴ 

Here are a few things I learned about ice cream in yesterday’s newspaper article.  Its origins⁵ supposedly⁶ go back to the 4th century B.C. when the Roman emperor Nero ordered ice brought from the mountains and mixed with fruit.  Later Marco Polo took the Chinese method of creating ice and milk mixtures to Europe in the 13^th century.  It became a fashionable treat in Europe and was served by Early American presidents, who favored⁷ vanilla flavor⁸.  The first ice cream shop opened in New York City in 1776.  George Washington⁹ liked ice cream so much he reportedly had a bill for $200 for ice cream one summer. 

Vanilla remains the top ice cream flavor¹⁰ in the U.S., followed by chocolate and different fruit flavors.   The first ice cream cone¹¹ was made, served, and eaten in New York City on Sept 22^nd, 1886.  According to surveys¹², it is the favorite way for people to eat ice cream.  Many people also like ice cream with a topping¹³, chocolate or chocolate fudge¹⁴ being the favorite type.  In addition, many people like nuts on top of the chocolate.

On our travels between Idaho and Iowa there is a stop we always make.  It is a big restaurant and gasoline station in western Wyoming, called Little America¹⁵.  There the traveler is invited to get a big ice cream cone for fifty cents.  Don always gets vanilla and I get chocolate.  Kathy gets a mixture of vanilla and chocolate, and we each share with our dog Blitzen.  I think we will make that stop two weeks from today when we head home to Iowa.

Notes:

1. treats: special dishes or food that tastes good, especially one that people do not eat very often (款待，乐趣).

2. National Ice Cream Month: the month of July has been the focus of special attention to ice cream, probably because July is one of our very hot weather months in the U.S.

3. decree: an official order or decision, especially one made by the ruler of a country (政令，法令).

4. Knowing us, I am sure we will properly celebrate the day and help the U.S. ice cream industry make its more than 21 billion dollars in annual sales: 因为我了解我们自己，我肯定我们会恰如其分地庆祝这一天，并帮助美国的冰激凌行业创造210亿美元的年销售额。

5. origin: beginnings, starting point (起源).

6. supposedly: according to popular belief or thought; alleged to be so (据说，据认为).

7. favored: preferred, liked best (最喜欢).

8. vanilla flavor: 香草味

9. George Washington: the first president of the United States (乔治•华盛顿，美国首任总统).  Often called the “Father of our Country.”

10. the top ice cream flavor: 最受欢迎的冰激凌味道

11. ice cream cone: 圆筒冰激凌

12. surveys: 调查

13. topping: items such as nuts, fruit, or flavored syrups poured on top of ice cream (浇头).

14. chocolate or chocolate fudge: 巧克力或软巧克力

15. Little America: the name of one of a small group of large rest areas, restaurants and motels located in western United States. All offer special ice cream cones.

This past weekend Don and I drove to our neighboring state of Illinois¹ to attend a wedding anniversary celebration² of long time friends.  As we were driving along Interstate 80³, I noticed a big sign advertising a well-known restaurant chain⁴.  This chain of restaurants is found all over the U.S, but it does not serve fast food⁵.  A person goes there for a “sit-down” meal of standard favorite types of food⁶—roast beef, salads, soups, home baked bread, and good desserts.  What I noticed on the sign, though, were the words “comfort food.”⁷ 

The term “comfort food” has been on my mind for the past week or so because of conversations I’ve had with good friends here in the U.S. and an email from a very good friend in China.  It all started one evening when Kim’s friend Mark was here for dinner.  We were eating baked potatoes⁸ (among other things) and I mentioned that for me a nice baked potato was my number one comfort food.  Mark said it was close to that for him but his top comfort food is tuna fish and noodle casserole⁹; Don said his is a big egg sandwich¹⁰ and Kim said that hers is a nice piece of cheddar cheese¹¹.  A few nights later when we were having a meal at the home of a friend I mentioned the conversation, and everyone there had comfort food selections too.  I also mentioned this in an e-mail to my good friend in China.  She answered back that she didn’t know the term “comfort food” but that she could guess what it meant; then  she went on to tell me the favorite comfort foods of both her husband and herself.  She also asked me if “comfort food” is a general term or just a regionalism¹² here.  I thought it a general term, so was happily excited to see it on the big roadside sign.  In fact, after we crossed the Mississippi River¹³ into the state of Illinois, I saw it on another sign as we approached Springfield¹⁴, our destination.

This morning I decided to see if the term is in the dictionary.  I went to my favorite dictionary,  MERRIAM-WEBSTER’S COLLEGIATE DICTIONARY 10^TH EDITION.  Sure enough¹⁵, there was a listing for “comfort food” and the definition was “food prepared in a traditional style having usually nostalgic or sentimental appeal¹⁶.”  I think that is a good definition for my understanding of the term.  I think of baked potatoes as delicious food, but I also associate them with my happy childhood memories¹⁷ of when my mother would bake them on a cold winter night.  We would come into the house after playing in the snow, would sniff¹⁸ their delicious odor, and then happily anticipate¹⁹ the meal to come.

This week is Thanksgiving week²⁰.  Many items of comfort food will be on the menu²¹ in many homes Thursday.  Since I won’t fix baked potatoes (my children like escalloped potatoes²² on Thanksgiving) my real comfort food will be pumpkin pie²³; Don’s will be turkey²⁴ as well as cranberry salad²⁵.  Kim’s will be pecan pie²⁶ and Jim’s will be green bean casserole²⁷ and turkey. 

This will truly be the week for comfort food throughout the United States, but it will not be the same everywhere.  Friday I read an article in a newspaper about Thanksgiving dinner in Alaska.²⁸   It said that this year in Alaska’s native villages²⁹ there will be store-bought turkey along with native delicacies such as reindeer stew³⁰, stuffed moose heart³¹, and whale-blubber salad³².  For dessert there might be akutaq, which is whipped animal or vegetable fat that is mixed with sugar, berries and sometimes fish.  I wish all of the Eskimos and Indians joy as they eat their comfort food, but must admit that theirs is very different from mine.  

Notes:

1. Illinois (伊利诺州): a midwestern state in the U.S. bounded on the west by the Mississippi River.

2. wedding anniversary celebration：结婚周年庆典

3. Interstate 80 (80号州际公路): the major highway extending from east to west across the U.S. It has been called the “Mainstreet of the U.S.”

4. a well-known restaurant chain: 一家著名餐馆的连锁店

5. fast food: 快餐

6. standard favorite types of food: common or usual favorite items of food in a restaurant.

7. comfort food: 安抚食品

8. baked potatoes：烤土豆

9. tuna fish and noodle casserole (金枪鱼面条砂锅): a mixture of ingredients with meat, vegetables and pasta, placed in a baking dish and baked until ready for serving. A favorite type of family meal.

10. egg sandwich：（煎）鸡蛋三明治

11. cheddar cheese: 切达奶酪，一种黄色硬奶酪。

12. regionalism: 地方色彩，乡土风味

13. the Mississippi River (密西西比河): the largest U.S. river, extending from Minnesota in the north to the Gulf of Mexico on the south.

14. Springfield: the capital city of the state of Illinois.

15. “sure enough” coll. something is true, or appears to be so; mostly heard in the Midwest.

16. nostalgic or sentimental appeal: 能吸引你回想过去或触发情感

17. memories: events which one brings to mind from the past (记忆).

18. sniff: inhale aromas; as of food, land, etc. (嗅，闻).

19. anticipate: look forward to…(期盼).

20. Thanksgiving week: the week in November when Thanksgiving occurs (感恩节那周).

21. menu: a list of food that will be served in a restaurant or home (菜单).

22. escalloped potatoes: 焗马铃薯片

23. pumpkin pie: 南瓜馅饼

24. turkey：火鸡（肉）

25. cranberry salad (越橘色拉)：a mixture of the fruits of cranberry combined usually with pineapple and served in various ways.

26. pecan pie：a dessert made with a pastry crust in a pie pan, filled with a mixture of pecan nuts, spices, and sugar and baked in the oven (山核桃馅饼).

27. green bean casserole: a baked mixture of green beans, mushroom soup and onions [绿豆(蘑菇洋葱)砂锅].

28. Alaska: the northernmost state of the U.S., just northwest of Canada (阿拉斯加，美国最北部的一个州，在加拿大的西北面).

29. Alaska’s native villages: small towns in Alaska where people native to the area, such as Indians and Eskimos live (阿拉斯加的土著村落，如印第安人和爱斯基摩人住的村庄).

30. reindeer stew: 炖鹿肉汤，a mixture soup made with the flesh of the reindeer, a large deer native to Alaska and Northern Canada as well as N. Europe.  It is associated with Christmas and Santa Claus mythology where reindeer pull the sled in which Santa brings gifts to children on Christmas Eve.

31. stuffed moose heart: 麋鹿心煲，a dish prepared with the heart of the largest animal of the deer family, and which lives in North America from northern U.S. to Alaska and Canada.

32. whale blubber salad: 鲸鱼油色拉

     When you choose to dine at The Holiday Inn¹ you have quite a number of options² to suit your taste³.  One thing you might not be fully aware of⁴ is the number of different kinds of mushrooms which find their way into our culinary selections⁵ from time to time.

     Mycophagy⁶ or the preparation and eating of mushrooms has become increasingly important in fine cuisine⁷.  There are many types of mushrooms, and each of them has several ways in which they may be prepared or mixed with other ingredients⁸.

     It’s now spring, and as you might expect, we’ve had morel mushrooms⁹ (Morchella esculenta) on the menu for a few weeks.  Most morels are hand-picked from local sources to insure freshness and maximum flavor¹⁰. In other seasons of the year we can have morels which are commercially grown¹¹, but these must be specially ordered¹².

     The common field mushroom¹³, (Agaricus campestris) is our most commonly used mushroom in soups, sauces¹⁴, gravies¹⁵ and in salads or stews.  This is the “button mushroom”¹⁶ you may associate with pizzas¹⁷ and mushroom soup, and we prepare it in other ways as well.  What you may not know is that a variant¹⁸ of the field mushroom, the Portabella¹⁹, is the same type of mushroom, but it is grown to maturity²⁰ instead of being used in the button stage²¹, and it is a larger variety.

     We also have Shitake (Lentinus edodes)²² in some of our veggie stir fries²³ and soups, and may use  “golden trumpet” (Cantharellus cibarius)²⁴ which is so popular in Europe.

     Several other mushrooms are available, including the Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus)²⁵, Wood Ear (Auricularia auricula)²⁶, and the King Bolete (Boletus edulis)²⁷, but you’ll have to special- order²⁸ these.

     You may like to collect and cook your own mushrooms, but if you do, be careful that you know what you are eating!    Some mushrooms are poisonous, and even some of the good ones may cause allergic reactions²⁹ in some people.  Eat a small amount of any mushroom if it is new to you, and in this way you’ll learn to appreciate them and may avoid an upset stomach³⁰.

Notes:

1. Holiday Inn (假日旅馆): The name of a widespread group of hotels and motels in the U.S. as well as  other countries.  Most of these hotels have excellent restaurants associated with them where both guests and local people eat.

2. options: possibilities, choices (选择).  Most of these restaurants have large menus that list many main dishes, types of sandwiches, desserts etc.

3. to suit your taste：满足你的口味

4. be aware of: know or understand (知道，了解)

5. culinary selections: 烹饪的精选物品

6. mycophagy: (a technical term) dining on mushrooms of various types (真菌的食用).

7. fine cuisine: extremely excellent quality of food prepared by a good chef (精美菜肴).

8. ingredients: the food contents of a special dish (配料).

9. morel mushrooms: 一种可食用的蘑菇 （见下图）

10. to insure freshness and maximum flavor: 确保新鲜和味道最佳

11. commercially grown: (production of a food item) done by a business concern (专为出售培植的).

12. must be specially ordered：要专门订购

13. field mushroom: 双孢蘑菇

14. sauces: fluid, flavorful semi-liquid mixtures of foods and spices used to add more flavor to food (调味汁).

15. gravy (plural gravies): a sauce made from the thickened and seasoned juices of meat (调味肉汁).

16. button mushroom: another common name for the field mushroom.

17. pizzas: 比萨饼

18. variant: alternative form or different form than the more common one (变种).

19. Portabella: an Italian name given to the adult form of the variant of the field mushroom (长成熟的 field mushroom的意大利名称).

20. maturity: fully grown and developed in its life stages (成熟).

21. button stage: the immature stage of a mushroom when it has not yet developed distinctive parts of a cap, stem and base (蘑菇的未成熟时期).

22. Lentinus edodes (香菇): the Latin name for the choice edible mushroom known as Shitake in Japanese cuisine.

23. veggie stir fries (炒菜): a technique favored in Chinese cuisine.

24. golden trumpet (鸡油菌): the common name given to the mushroom Cantharellus cibarius which is one of the favorite mushrooms in France and Europe in general. (见下图)

25. oyster mushroom (平菇): the common name for Pleutotus ostreatus, a mushroom commonly growing on dead wood or stumps of broad leaf trees. Commonly oyster colored, and prized as a choice mushroom by many people. (见下图)

26. wood ear (木耳): the mushroom Auricularia auricula which grows world wide on rotting wood of fallen trees. Prized as both a medicinal and highly sought mushroom in most Asian countries.

27. king bolete (牛肝菌): the mushroom Boletus edulis which is a large, fleshy mushroom associated with the living roots of many broadleaf trees including oaks.  In Italy it is called Porcina which means “little pig,” because of its enlarged stem.  Popular in many countries, and featured in many restaurants.

28. to special-order (专门订): order something which is not normally on the menu, but which can be ordered from a supplier who has this item available on request.

29. allergic reactions (过敏反应): responses of a person which cause them to become ill when eating a particular type of food.  It occurs not because it is a poisonous food, but because the individual has a reaction due to their immune system response.

30. upset stomach ：肠胃不适

It’s now sweatshirt and sweater² weather.  It happened this week. On Tuesday the weather was so mild³ that we broke the weather record⁴ for the date of the 28^th (Don’s birthday).  When friends came for dinner and to celebrate with us, one of the big topics of conversation was how warm it had been that day…66 degrees F⁵.   However, we also discussed the fact that things were to change the next day when a cold air mass⁶ from Alaska and Canada was scheduled to arrive.  The weather forecasters⁷ were correct and on Wednesday, the 29^th, the temperature dropped 34 degrees F. during the day.  

I like to wear sweatshirts when it’s cold.  They are comfortable⁸, warm, and colorful.  Some of mine are seasonal⁹; others are humorous¹⁰; still others remind me of interesting places I have been.  For Autumn I have several that have Autumn leaves on them.  Of course, I have about four different ones with Christmas motifs¹¹ on them.  I even have one or two pastel¹² colored shirts with spring flowers on them.  Iowa is cold enough that I can wear sweatshirts from November (sometimes October too) through May.

As for humor, one of my favorites is a white sweatshirt with the photograph of a squirrel¹³ on it.  The squirrel is sitting on a tree branch, eating out of a bird feeder¹⁴.  Below the picture are the words, “Got seed?¹⁵”  Most people who see this recognize the question as a parody¹⁶ of a widely used TV commercial¹⁷ “Got milk?” which shows nice looking people with milk “mustaches¹⁸.”  This commercial is sponsored by The Dairy Council of America¹⁹.  Kim gave me the sweatshirt because I love to feed the many squirrels in our back yard, as well as to laugh at their gymnastic antics²⁰ as they rob our bird feeders of seed.  Kim gets irritated²¹ with the squirrels because she is the one who fills the bird feeders and she has to do it rather often because of the amount the squirrels eat. However, our squirrels are fat and happy so I don’t think she cares too much.  Tomorrow when we go shopping in Des Moines we plan to buy two 20-pound bags of bird seed (perhaps even four) as the price for it is one of the advertised specials²² at the home improvement store²³ that Don likes to shop in.  I might even get some dried corn, as squirrels are especially fond of that.  When the snows finally arrive, we want to keep all of our backyard wild life (squirrels, rabbits, birds, and an occasional opossum²⁴ or raccoon²⁵) well fed.

I mustn’t forget about the sweatshirts from special places.  One of the oldest ones I have is one I purchased at The Great Wall the first time we visited that wonderful structure.  It says, “I climbed the Great Wall,” and I was very proud and pleased that I did go a long way up it.  That was fifteen years ago.  My problem now is that it is much too small.  I forgot once when laundering²⁶ it and put it in the drier²⁷.  Sweatshirt material will shrink²⁸ a lot when put in the drier.  A sad mistake indeed!  I really should get it replaced some time.²⁹  A sweatshirt that I bought last year came from The Smithsonian gift shop³⁰ in Washington, D.C. It has a traditional American Indian design on it in honor of the new Indian museum complex³¹ which we were visiting.  I am being very careful when I launder it (as well as my other favorites) now.  I use cold water and hang them to dry.  I’ll be wearing them now until May so want to take good care of them.

Notes:

1. sweatshirts: 长袖运动衫

2. sweater: 毛线衣，针织套衫

3. mild: (天气) 温暖的，暖和的

4. broke the weather record: 打破了天气记录

5. F.: Fahrenheit (华氏)

6. a cold air mass: 冷空气

7. weather forecasters: people who predict the upcoming weather on the basis of highly technical information (气象预报人员).

8. comfortable：舒适的

9. seasonal: having to do with a particular season, i.e. fall, winter, spring or summer (季节性的).

10. humorous: funny, causing one to laugh or smile.

11. Christmas motifs: designs or pictures such as a Christmas tree or Christmas stocking, etc. (圣诞节图案).

12. pastel: light in color, not bright colored (浅色的)

13. squirrel: 松鼠

14. a bird feeder: a container with seeds and food for wild birds (盛鸟食的装置).

15. Got seed?: Do you have any seeds?

16. parody: a humorous imitation of something or somebody that is well known to the public [(对大众熟知的人或物的) 滑稽模仿].

17. TV commercial: 电视广告

18. “milk mustaches”: a deposit of milk on the upper lip which resembles a mustache (牛奶胡子).

19. The Dairy Council of America: an organization involved with the production and distribution of milk and milk products (美国乳品委员会).

20. gymnastic antics: 滑稽的体操动作

21. irritated: bothered or mildly angered by some word or action ( 讨厌，烦人).

22. advertised specials: 打广告的特价商品

23. home improvement store: 家居装修商店

24. opossum: one of various small animals from America and Australia that have fur and climb trees (负鼠).

25. raccoon: a small North American animal with black fur around its eyes and black and grey rings on its tail (浣熊).

26. laundering: washing clothing items either by hand or by machine (洗衣).

27. drier: a machine which produces hot air to dry clothing (烘干机).

28. shrink: become smaller in size (收缩).

29. I really should get it replaced some time：我什么时候确实该同样的再买一件。

30. The Smithsonian Gift Shop: Smithsonian 礼品店

31. complex: a group of associated buildings (综合建筑群).