A man came home from work and found his three children outside， still in their pajamas(睡衣) playing in the mud，with empty food boxes and wrappers thrown all around the front yard.

    The door of his wife's car was open，as was the front door to the house and there was no sign of the dog.

    Walking into the entry，he found an even bigger mess. A lamp had been knocked over. In the front room the TV was loudly blaring(大声播放)a cartoon channel，and the family room was thrown with toys and various items of clothing.

    In the kitchen，dishes filled the sink，breakfast food was spilled on the counter，the fridge door was open wide， dog food was spilled on the floor，a broken glass lay under the table，and a small pile of sand was spread by the back door.

    He quickly headed up the stairs，stepping over toys and more piles of clothes，looking for his wife. He was worried she might be ill，or that something serious had happened. He was met with a small drop of water as it made its way out the bathroom door. As he looked inside he found wet towels， soap and more toys thrown over the floor. Miles of toilet paper lay in a heap(堆) and toothpaste had been put over the mirror and walls.

    As he rushed to the bedroom， he found his wife still sleeping in the bed in her pajamas，reading a novel. She looked up at him，smiled，and asked how his day went. He looked at her puzzled and asked， “What happened here today？”

    She again smiled and answered，“You know every day when you come home from work and ask me what in the world I did today？”

    “Yes，” was his reply.

    She answered，“Well，today I didn't do it.”

    There are two types of people in the world. Although they have equal degree of health and wealth and other comforts of life, one becomes happy, the other becomes unhappy. This arises from the different ways in which they consider things, persons, events and the resulting effects upon their minds.

    People who are to be happy fix their attention on the convenience of things. The pleasant parts of conversation, the well prepared dishes, the goodness of the wine, the fine weather. They enjoy all the cheerful things. Those who are to be unhappy think and speak only of the opposite things. Therefore, they are continually dissatisfied. By their remarks, they sour the pleasure of society, offend (hurt) many people, and make themselves disagreeable everywhere. If this turn of mind was founded in nature, such unhappy persons would be the more to be pitied. The intention of criticizing and being disliked is perhaps taken up by imitation. It grows into a habit, unknown to its possessors. The habit may be strong, but it may be cured when those who have it realize its bad effects on their interests and tastes. I hope this little warning may be of service to them, and help them change this habit.

    Although in fact it is chiefly an act of the imagination, it has serious results in life since it brings on deep sorrow and bad luck. Those people offend many others; nobody loves them, and no one treats them with more than the most common politeness and respect. This frequently puts them in bad temper and draws them into arguments. If they want to get some advantages in social position or fortune(财), nobody wishes them success. Nor will anyone start a step or speak a word to favor their hopes. If they bring on themselves public objections（反对）, no one will defend or excuse them, and many will join to criticize their wrong doings. These should change this bad habit and be pleased with what is pleasing, without worrying needlessly about themselves and others. If they do not, it will be good for others to avoid any contact(接触) with them. Otherwise, it can be unpleasing and sometimes very inconvenient, especially when one becomes mixed up in their quarrels.

    If you enjoy fall activities, the state of Virginia is the place to be. There are many festivals to choose from. Here are four I believe will be great fun.

Henry Street Heritage Festival

    It will last from Saturday September 21^st 2014, 11:00a.m,until 10:00 p.m .The festival is held by the Harrison Museum of African American Culture. This public festival takes place in Elmwood Park in downtown Roanoke. It is a celebration of the culture, history, and arts of African Americans and there is always a lot of entertainment, which includes local and national talent.  Last year entrance was $10.00

    Mountain magic crafts festival

    This festival takes place on Saturday October 5^th, 2014, at 19753 Main Street, in Buchanan, Va. The time is 10:00a.m. until 5:00p.m .This will be a celebration of the region's heritage(遗产), through history, crafts and music. There will be free, live music throughout the day, and plenty of arts and crafts plus delicious food.

    Massanutten fall festival

    The time and location is Saturday October 12^th,2014, 11:00a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Massanutten Ski Area. This Fall Festival will feature more than 60 arts and crafts vendors(小贩), food vendors, live music, wine tasting, children's activities, and more. Tickets are $5 in advance, and $10 at gate. Children under age 8 are admitted free. Rides will run between the hours of 11:00am to 3:00 pm. Be in line with your ticket; no later than 2:30 pm.

    Children's Arboretum(植物园) Festival

    The fun takes place, on Saturday October 19^th, 2014 from 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm at the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum. There will be musical instrument shows and performances, singers, crafts, dance exhibitions and lessons. There will also be seed collecting trail activities, trail tours, story time, and snacks. This fall festival is a free event

    Mark Twain, the famous American writer and a great master of humor, liked to play jokes on others. But once a joke was played on him. One day Mark Twain was invited to give a talk in a small town. At lunch he met a young man,one of his friends.

    The young man said that he had an uncle with him. He told Mark Twain that his uncle never laughed or smiled, and that nobody and nothing was able to make his uncle smile or laugh.

    “You bring your uncle to my talk this evening,” said Mark Twain. “I'm sure I can make him laugh.”

    That evening the young man and his uncle sat in the front. Mark Twain began to speak. He told several funny stories and made everyone in the room laugh. But the man never even smiled. Mark Twain told more funny stories, but the old man still kept quiet. Mark Twain continued to tell his funny stories. Finally he stopped. He was tired and quite disappointed.

    Some days later, Mark Twain told another friend what had happened. “Oh,” said his friend,“I know that man. He's been deaf for years.”

    Your local grocery store is a psychological minefield (布雷区), where even the bananas are ripe with mystery.

    ⒈Southpaws (左撇子) have an invisible advantage

    You've probably seen that stores keep go-to items produce, meats, dairy on the outer edge. But did you notice that most of them are set up to make you run counterclockwise (逆时针)? Ninety percent of us are right-handed, so we buy more when it's counterclockwise. You'll also often find the dairy section in the back-left corner: Because dairy is likely on your list, stores make sure you take the longest route to get there. In fairness, it's also a more convenient place to put a fridge.

    ⒉Everything is in its place

    It's safe to say that nothing you see on a shelf is there by chance. The cookies on sale at the end of a passage are likely the result of smart product placement. More expensive items are usually placed at an adult's eye level, while colorful treats and other products for kids are positioned lower to catch the attention of children.

    ⒊Time goes by so slowly

    Stores rarely have windows or clocks. With no reference to the outside world, customers can easily lose track of how long they've been there so that they can buy more. Grocery stores may use another trick to control your sense of time: small floor tiles (瓷砖).

    Branksome Hall

    Class Size: 12 to 22

    Grades: JK to Gr. 12

    Gender(性别): All girls

    Living: day, Boarding(提供住宿的）

    Founded in 1903, Branksome Hall is Toronto's only all-girls, all-years International Baccalaureate (IB）World School. From the earliest grades, students learn to become leaders and to understand the value of serving the community. Discover Branksome hall's programs at www.brunksome.on.ca.

    Stanstead College

    Class Size: 13

    Grades: Gr. 7 to Gr.12

    Gender: Open to both sexes

    Living: Boarding

    Stanstead College is a private boarding school for boys and girls in Grades 7 through 12. It is an English school that embraces (包含) French in and out of the classroom. It is also uniquely placed to open doors to top universities and colleges in the United States, Canada and around the world.

    Oakwood Academy

    Class Size: 1 to 4

    Grades: JK to Gr. 12.

    Gender: Open to both sexes

    Living: Day

    Oakwood Academy is a private school for students who require an individualized education plan and small class size to meet their unique learning styles. Direct Instruction is used to teach academics in small groups and a meaningful curriculum (课程) allows students to truly learn.

    TEAM School

    Class Size: 8 to 12

    Grades: Gr. 1 to Gr.12

    Gender: Open to both sexes

    Living: Day

    TEAM School provides an academic program for students in Grades 1 through 12. Students from ages 6 to 14 benefit from small class sizes (8 students) and an individualized academic program to provide an educational upgrading.