By Robert E．Lee
I love the rain，deeply and passionately and more than the sun．At least I live in the right place，famous for its damp weather and spawning its own genuine rainforest．I can't imagine living anywhere else than the Pacific Northwest．
Seattleites will say they like how rain keeps the city green，how clean the air tastes afterwards．My real reason for enjoying the rain is steeped in pure selfishness when it's mucky outside，I don't have to do anything．I can spend the afternoon curled up reading，build a fire and make a big pot of spiced tea．I can sleep in late，waking up occasionally to hear soothing patter on the roof，water racing down the gutter ．Nobody expects me to leave my house or do anything overly productive．Maybe I'll invite a few friends over to watch an old movie or play a board game．Friends' expectations are low and easy to meet．
Summer in Seattle is beautiful but exhausting．The sunny，gorgeous weather and blue skies draw Seattleites from their cozy little homes，ready to dry out and have fun．People go hiking，biking，canoeing．Folks work in their gardens，wash their cars and attend outdoor concerts in the park all in the same day！The effort involved to throw a party ratchets up several notches，as people host barbecues and picnics and water-skiing parties．
Words and Expressions
- damp adj．潮湿的
- spawn vt．大量生产，造成
be steeped in沉浸于；充满着
- mucky adj．脏的；讨厌的
- soothing adj．抚慰的；使人宽心的
- gutter n．排水沟
ratchet up逐渐升高；增加
Read the following sentences：
Summer in Seattle is beautiful but exhausting．The sunny，gorgeous weather and blue skies draw Seattleites from their cozy little homes，ready to dry out and have fun．
Translate them into Chinese：
Recite them and try writing them down here：
西雅图的雨
罗伯特·E·李
我爱雨，深情而热烈，甚至胜过对太阳的爱。最起码我住在适宜之地，以潮湿的天气和盛产名副其实的雨林而出名。除了太平洋西北部，我想不出自己还能住在哪儿。
西雅图人会说他们喜欢雨使这个城市变绿，空气变得清新。而我喜欢雨的真正原因纯粹是出于自我考虑。在外面泥泞的时候，我可以什么都不干，整个下午蜷缩在家里看书，再生盆火，泡一大壶香茶。我可以睡到很晚，时而醒来倾听屋檐上柔和的拍打声，水顺着水槽往下流的声音。没人要我离开房子或去干一些超负荷的劳动。也许我会邀上几个朋友看一部老电影，或者玩玩棋盘游戏。朋友的期望不高，极易满足。
西雅图的夏天如此美丽却令人疲惫不堪。晴朗的天气和蔚蓝的天空吸引着西雅图人走出安逸舒适的小家，准备去干燥的户外寻找乐趣。他们去远足、骑车、划独木舟。他们修整自家的花园、洗车、去公园听露天音乐会，所有这些都在同一天做完！在他们举行烤肉、野餐和参加水上滑雪派对时，他们会把派对分成几个等级一步步推进。