【推荐1】Knitting (编织) for a cause

It isn’t often that zookeepers call on craftspeople for help, but cold weather at the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Center in northern India was putting elephants at risk.     1     . Now the elephants are stepping out in style, thanks to volunteers who used their crafting talents to knit big sweaters to protect the animals.

Rescuing elephants

    2     . It has been taking action against animal cruelty and saving wildlife in trouble since 1995. Its Elephant Conservation and Care Center is devoted to rescuing the gentle elephants from being treated with extreme cruelty in circuses.     3     , and the staff hopes to take in 50 more of the creatures this year.

A tall order

    4     , so they are particularly vulnerable (易受影响的) to cold weather. When staff reported near-freezing night time temperatures this winter, volunteers from surrounding villages began knitting big sweaters to keep the elephants warm. The monumental sweaters, which are large enough to cover the elephants’ backs, bellies, and legs, are beautiful and cheerful.

    5     —each one takes about four weeks to create with volunteers working together. Centered on a common goal, the project helps foster (培养) a sense of community in all who participate.

【推荐3】Ways to Get Your Kids into Nature

Being in nature for kids has tremendous health benefits. There are many ways you can incorporate nature into your children’s lives, even if you live in the city.

Inspire curiosity by being curious yourself. A parent’s excitement can be spread to the children, and when you show respect for nature, your children follow suit.     1    . “I don’t know! Let’s find out together.” is a wonderful way to get the ball rolling. Be open to a mutual adventure and allow your curious inner child to come out while you explore nature with your children.

    2    . If you have to carpool(拼车) in the morning, turn off the devices instead and encourage your children to look out of the window. The early morning fall skies are beautiful with color and migrating birds. After all, even views of nature from the car window are calming and beneficial.

Stop thinking about nature time as leisure time. Time in nature is an essential investment in your children’s health and well­being. If you view nature time as essential to good health, you will be more likely to engage in it.     3    ， nurturing creativity and wonder is part of your responsibility as parents.

Look at the stars. Visit your local observatory, and then drive out of the city some morning or evening for your own stargazing(天体观察) with a blanket and telescope. Observing the stars offers a deeper and wider understanding of the universe.     4    .

Plant a small garden.     5    . Bean and pea plants grow quickly and can be eaten when mature, so teach your children about food and the wonder of growth.

【推荐2】Cecilia Chiang, named the “mother of Chinese food in American”, a famed restauranteur who helped introduce real Chinese food to America in the 1960s, died on October 28, 2020 at the age of 100. Opened in 1961, Cecilia’ legendary San Francisco restaurant, the Mandarin, was arguably the best Chinese restaurant in the US for over 30 years. She challenged the American idea of Chinese food and transformed their appreciation for authentic Chinese cuisine.

Ms. Chiang was born in Wuxi in 1920 as the seventh daughter in a wealthy family. After her parents died, Cecilia managed the businesses’ finances while still in her teens.

Ms. Chiang came to San Francisco in 1959. Once in San Francisco, she met two acquaintances who wanted to open a restaurant. Ms. Chiang agreed to put up a huge deposit. But when the two women quit, Ms. Chiang found to her horror that the deposit was not refundable. She decided to open the restaurant herself. “I began to think that if I could create a restaurant with Western-style service and the dishes that I was most familiar with—the delicious food of northern China—maybe my little restaurant would succeed,” she wrote in her book.

The Mandarin, which was opened in 1961 as a small restaurant, introduced customers to mainly Sichuan, Shanghai and Canton dishes. The early days were especially tough. But little by little, Chinese diners, and a few Americans came regularly. Overnight, the tables filled and became a huge success.

Ms. Chiang enjoyed many extraordinary honors. In 2013, when she was 93, she received the long overdue Lifetime Achievement Award from the James Beard Awards, known as the “Culinary Oscars” at New York’s Lincoln Center. Cecilia considered it her legacy to have redefined what Americans know about Chinese food and culture. In her acceptance speech, Cecilia said, “This is an incredible honor. James Beard was one of my close personal friends, so this award holds a special place in my heart.”

【推荐2】The idea of climbing Everest disgusted me. The mountain came to represent the opposite of everything that I loved and respected about climbing. What had once been the final mountain climbing goal became the focus of a commercial guiding industry. Over the years, the crowds at Base Camp grew, leaving behind tons of trash. Whenever I was asked whether I’d climb Everest, my answer was always the same: not interested.

That’s probably where my personal Everest story would have ended, were it not for an old friend and his obsession (执念) with one of the greatest mysteries. In 1999, Thom Pollard began to explore and found the remains of George Mallory, the celebrated British climber who disappeared while attempting to be the first to climb Everest. But Mallory’s partner, Sandy Irvine, and the camera he had likely carried, were not found. The mountain climbing world has been wondering whether they might have reached the top in 1924.

Pollard’s story moved me. I began to pack for the climb and expected that our advanced equipment would make it manageable, perhaps easy. I was wrong. On the highest point on the planet, I was more tired than I’d ever been in any climbing. Along the way, I continuously tipped my hat, not just to Mallory and Irvine but to anyone who has the drive to push himself or herself up this route. My search was in vain, but I began to reconsider Everest.

I witnessed many climbers, who were much more than just self-centered tourists. We shared route information, weather forecasts, and family photos — all united around common goals.

I went to Everest to seek Irvine. But in the end, I found something more difficult to get: the spirit that Irvine and Mallory shared. It was hiding in plain sight, right where it has always been: inside the brave souls who risk so much to follow in storied adventurers’ footsteps up Everest.

【推荐3】Mary has struggled to find the right words to convey her thoughts and feelings ever since she was a child. She was often told that she was “too quiet” or “too shy”, and as she grew older, she became increasingly aware of her inability to articulate herself. It wasn’t that she didn’t have anything to say — far from it. Mary’s mind was constantly racing with ideas and observations, but no matter how hard she tried, she just couldn’t seem to get the words out.

“Mary, I need to talk to you,” Mr. Thompson, the boss of Mary’s new company, said one day, his voice serious. Mary’s heart sank. “Don’t worry,” Mr. Thompson said, noticing Mary’s nervousness. “It’s not that kind of conversation. I just wanted to talk to you about something that’s been on my mind lately.”

He paused for a moment, collecting his thoughts. “I’ve noticed that you’ve been struggling a bit lately. It seems like you’re having a tough time communicating with customers. I hear that you’re good at writing. So why not join our Advertising Department? Besides, I have another suggestion…”

Mary kept nodding, unable to find the words to express her gratitude.

Following Mr. Thompson’s suggestion, Mary joined in a writing competition. She had always been a talented writer, and she knew that she had the potential to create something truly special. So she set to work, pouring her heart and soul into her essay. The words started flowing, and Mary found herself writing with a newfound sense of purpose and achievement.

The judges of the competition were amazed by Mary’s essay, and they selected it as the winner. Mary was excited, and she was grateful to have finally found the right way to do a good job.