【推荐3】When I first came to Rochester from Austin, Texas — a place where fall is practically non-existent — I was excited for a real northern fall. But, I wasn’t ____ it to feel like Christmas in October.

Regardless of this ____, and the adjustment period that I’m not entirely sure I’m ____, I am thankful to be somewhere that has a ____ fall. By “real” I ____ a distinctive season, a(n) ____ in the weather and a visual changing of the world around me. The leaves ____ colors, it rains more often, the air is almost always ____, and a light breeze ____ me to walk a bit faster to get inside. Yes, it is more difficult to be ____ outside in a Rochester fall — where it isnt just “less hot” but ____, fairly cold. But, I would argue that time spent outside in this season could be more ____ than that in the summer.

Everyone ____ that fall is about change—I wont argue against that. Things do ____ in the fall — the weather is ____ becoming worse and worse, the dying leaves become warmly colored, and ____ you know it, well be back to having only eight hours of sunlight a day.

This oncoming change is why I think it is so important to ____ fall. Fall is not just about the ____ of change, but also appreciating what will soon be ____. Go outside this fall. Enjoy the leaves not because they are turning beautiful deep ____ of orange and red, but because there will soon be no leaves in those branches at all.

【推荐1】Before reading McCarty’s story I had thought that a smile just invited unwanted attention. Afterwards I had a new opinion. I found that smiling could _______ myself and the people around me.

Recently I became a driver in my son’s school. The more I drove the more I heard the other drivers _______ about a new crossing guard, the person who _______ the flow of traffic so that cars can get in and out of the school area _______ and safely. The guard, not having much _______, seemed unsure when he made a decision, which often caused long lines of heavy traffic. Most days he looked worried. I saw cars pass by him with the _______ drivers. I wanted to do something just to make the guard _______.

Then I realized I did have the _______ to change at least one interaction (互动) in his day. One morning when the crossing guard gave me a(n) _______ to pull into the school, I moved my car forward. Then, just before I began my turn, I gave him a big smile. He saw me, and then his face ________. He smiled back at me as I continued my turn.

That’s it. That’s all it took. I knew I had made a ________ in his day. And ________ I have not spoken a word to this man, I know he ________ me because we smiled to each other every time he sees me behind the wheel.

Now, I always smile toward people around me. I can’t speak for the people who have ________ these smiles, but I can say my life is so much ________, so much more joyous, that I can’t imagine how I lived without such a smile. I hope I can make others share their happiness just as freely.

【推荐2】A tradition for my wife is to make holiday treats and drive around town to deliver to about 15 friends. We do this over two days and _______ a lot of satisfaction seeing people and wishing them well.

Last night kindness had a strange _______ with timing.

First, we _______ to deliver treats to our 95-year old neighbor right before she was ready to go to sleep. Next, we _______ to friends who had just finished dinner and were _______ for something sweet. Shortly after, with plate in hand, we _______ a neighbor and her daughter who were coming home from a walk. Later on _______ , we were then getting to a friend’s house as she _______ from visiting someone else. An eighty-five year old neighbor was on Zoom with friends talking about what Christmas meant and said that our surprise was the perfect _______.

One friend was not home when we called. She was cool on the ________ when we rang to let her know we were leaving a small ________ for her. She told us she was on her way and asked if we would ________. She said that she could use a hug. She had just returned from the ER. Her husband, who had been suffering ________ medical barriers, had just fallen, broken his hip and needed surgery. She got her hugs.

From a perfect dessert after a good meal to ________ for friend worried about her husband, our sweets meant a lot to many. Small things that can make a big ________.

【推荐3】Dash of Hope

"Dash" is a symbol which represents everyday we've spent alive on earth. Therefore, how you spend your "dash" is important.

Recently I_________ about a little girl named Hope. After learning more about her life，I couldn't help but feel it was not by coincidence，nor happenstance，that she had been named "Hope". The strong feeling of sympathy and generosity housed in her young heart made a lasting impression on me and countless others. _________ I never had the opportunity to meet her，I wish I had. It seems as though she was wise beyond her tender years and very，very special.

Hope was a twelve-year-old girl who was offered a "wish" in early December 2010 by the "Make-A-Wish" Foundation after being _________that she had a rare type of bone cancer. However，when she found out that more than 150 children in her area were waiting for their wishes to be granted(实现)，she unselfishly used her wish to _________that those children have their wishes granted. She also asked it to be done by January 16，2011. Unfortunately， however，the organization informed her that her _________request could not be granted as the funds(资金) were simply_________. They calculated that they would need to raise more than one million dollars in thirty days in order to grant her wish. Disappointed，but not discouraged，she turned her disappointment into an enthusiasm that inspired caring _________ to take up helping grant the wishes of the other children, and eventually hers as well. Newspaper columnists and reporters for radio and TV stations shared the story of this caring young girl who had_________the hearts of so many and as word spread，the community was challenged. Committees were fanned and schools，corporations and various organizations assisted in_________money to help make Hope's dream come true.

Her efforts were not in vain as they continue to help others，not only physically，but spiritually and emotionally as well. At the gathering to celebrate her life， "A Celebration of Hope" on January 16， 2011， the __________was made that they had indeed received donations totaling more than one million dollars. Her wish had been granted!

【推荐1】Janelle would be late for work. However, what she ________ in the mirror made her stop. Being a busy college ________ just one year removing from her teenage years, she wasn’t exactly concerned about the ________ and neatness of her clothes. But her restaurant boss saw things a little ________. He had recently ________ the staff on the importance of appearance, and had specifically mentioned the need for ________ to wear clean and neat blouses.

As an assistant manager, Janelle thought she should set an example for the other ________. But if she stopped to ________ the blouse normally, she would be late. Her boss didn’t ________ anyone to be late for work. So she ________ her iron and set it on low heat. Carefully keeping her blouse away from her ________, she started to iron it while wearing it. It seemed like a logical solution to a（n）________ problem.

It seemed to be working ________ until Janelle accidentally ironed her neck by mistake. Then it suddenly turned into a really ________ and painful idea. It took more time to treat her burn than it would have taken to iron her blouse ________. And she spent a shift ________ the pain of the burn.

I had the same ________. When I used to clean my yard, I often destroyed its look by using a creative way of ________ wild grass. Then my dad would tell me the way was ________ and said, “There is a right way and a wrong way of doing things. If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing it right.” There is a reason why something is done in ________ ways. Those old, boring ways work.

【推荐2】Have you ever traveled around by bike? This spring my older brother and I ________ the busy city and spent a long weekend cycling in the countryside. Our speed was only around 14 kph, but we didn’t ________. We hadn’t come to break any speed records, after all. All we wanted were some ________ air and a break from schoolwork.

We really ________ ourselves while cycling along traffic-free country paths. There was plenty of sunshine, but it was quite cold, ________ in the mornings. The good news was that soon we ________ as we rode along. Our only ________ was when my brakes started making a terrible noise. But I didn’t care as it gave us an ________ to visit a café while a bike mechanic had a look at it.

Every few kilometres there was a ________ where we could talk with local people. One of the women was very ________ and showed us the way when we got lost. On Saturday night we were ________ at 2 a. m. by some young people. They kept singing loudly in the next room, which made us sleepless all night. We felt very ________ when we got up the next morning. Soon we ________. We were more cheerful on the way when the sun came out. Luckily, things like that happened only once. Anyway I still like traveling around by bike — it’s ________ and it’s fun. If you’re looking for a short break that’s active and cheap, then cycling is a great ________!

【推荐3】A little boy almost considered himself as the most unfortunate child in the world because a terrible illness made his leg lame（癖的）. He _______ played with his classmates; and when the teacher asked him to answer questions, he always _______ his head without a word.

One spring, the boy’s father got some saplings （树苗）_______ the neighbor and told his _______ to plant one each person. The father also _______ to buy a favorite gift for whoever grew best. The boy also wanted to get his father’s _______. But seeing his brothers and sisters carry water actively, he lost _______. So after watering it once or twice, he never _______ it.

A few days later, when the little boy went to see his tree again, he was _______ to find that it appeared greener and ________ than his sisters’ and brothers’. His father ________ his promise, and said that he would surely become an outstanding botanist（植物学家）when he ________ up.

From then on, the little boy slowly became ________. One night, looking at the bright moonlight outside, he suddenly recalled what the ________ teacher once said: plants generally grow at night. Then he came to the courtyard and unexpectedly found his father ________ under his tree with a big spoon. ________, he understood: his father had been secretly watering his small tree! He ________ to his room, tears running down out of control.

Decades passed. The little boy didn’t become a botanist, ________ he was elected President of the United States. His name was Franklin Roosevelt.

________ is the best nutrition （营养）of life; even if it is just one spoonful of clear ________, it can make the tree of life lively.