“Papa” makes quilts to wrap people in need with love

江西 刘群芳

题材生活 新闻体裁 文章词数 建议用时313 7分钟

难词探意

1.veteran /'vetərən/ n.老兵

2.batch /bætʃ/ n.一批

3.refugee /,refju'dʒiː/ n.难民；避难者

4.fabric /'fæbrɪk/ n.织物；布

For 15 years, Brent Rushton—warmly known as “Papa”—has pieced together beautiful quilts to donate.“I've given them to the Road Home shelters and theveterans,” said Rushton.His latestbatchof masterpieces is going torefugees.“Most of them come in with no belongings, except the clothes that are on them,” explained Rushton.

One year he made a quilt for the Festival of Trees, which sold for $3,000.He gives quilts away to family, friends, and neighbors, too.“I spent the first 75 years of my life being mean, so all of a sudden I decided I'd better turn over a new leaf,” laughed Rushton.

He says he's probably made between 200 and 300 quilts over the years.That's a lot of time spent in his shop—which was originally designed for wood working.He used to spend 12 hours a day there making quilts.“I'm down to about six hours a day these days,” Rushton said.But he doesn't mind at all.“I'd go nuts if I didn't have something to do,” he said.“And it happens that this interests me.”The 80-year-old says he doesn't show much emotion, but he does like the way it feels when he finds out one of his quilts has made an impact on someone.“I feel pretty good about helping somebody get a smile on their face,” he said.Rushton has received some donated fabric, but buys most of the supplies himself.Mountain America Credit Union donated $500 to Rushton to help him keep making the beautiful quilts.

These quilts are the source of emotional and spiritual support for Rushton.They not only wrap people in need with love but also offer a chance for Rushton to connect him with the outside world in a loving way, which defines a meaningful and rewarding life.

Reading Check

1.Who may receive a quilt from Rushton?

A.Tom, an engineer.

B.John, a doctor.

C.Jack, an elderly solider.

D.Tony, a college student.

2.What can we know about Rushton?

A.He lives near a refuge.

B.He has been generous all his life.

C.He makes all the quilts to make a living.

D.He buys most of the materials to make quilts.

3.What was Rushton's shop initially used for?

A.Making quilts.

B.Wood working.

C.Selling farbric.

D.Clothing recycling.

4.How does Rushton feel about making quilts for people in need?

A.Meaningful.B.Doubtful.

C.Worried.D.Mixed.

Language Study

Sentence for writing

I'd go nuts if I didn't have something to do.如果我无事可做，我会发疯的。

【信息提取】该句中if条件句是对现在情况的虚拟假设，与现在的事实相反，主句谓语动词用would do，从句谓语动词用一般过去式did。

【句式仿写】如果我是你，我会告诉她真相。