美国国家公共电台 NPR How One Couple's Love Story Sparked Change In Their Community, Block By Block

 

(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

It is Friday, which means it's time for StoryCorps. We're on the day after Valentine's Day, which is really becoming almost like Valentine's week here on MORNING EDITION, which is fine. Today, two people whose love for their neighborhood grew out of their love for each other. Larry and Sharon Adams have spent the last two decades bringing boarded up homes in Milwaukee back to life. They started in the '90s when Sharon moved back to the house she grew up in in Milwaukee's Lindsay Heights neighborhood. At StoryCorps, Sharon and Larry remembered how they met.

LARRY ADAMS: I was a contractor¹, and I was asked to come rewire the house. And somewhere, you asked, did I want tea? I had five jobs going on at the same time. I'm smoking two packs of cigarettes a day and didn't have time for none of that. But out of my mouth came yes.

SHARON ADAMS: And you drank tea with me, and you fixed² my switch.

L ADAMS: Free of charge (laughter).

S ADAMS: Free of charge (laughter). And I knew you were looking at me. And I'd never met anyone who had such a gentleness and a firmness at the same time and wouldn't let me look deep into his eyes.

L ADAMS: I wanted to finish the job so that I could fire myself from the job. Then I would engage in dealing³ with you.

S ADAMS: So we didn't see each other for a while.

L ADAMS: That's true.

S ADAMS: And then...

L ADAMS: Then we went for ice cream.

S ADAMS: That was our first date.

L ADAMS: I'm thankful to God every day since. And I remember in conversation, you told me Walnut⁴ Street was a place, historically, where African-American entrepreneurs have resided. And in this area, there were elm trees up and down the block that kissed in the middle of the street.

S ADAMS: Right. So it was very dark on this block - right? - 'cause most of the homes were boarded.

L ADAMS: It was.

S ADAMS: And Christmas Eve, we were sitting in the kitchen looking out.

L ADAMS: And you said, what's going on with those flickering⁵ of those lights? And it was crack pipes.

S ADAMS: We looked at each other and said, this is...

L ADAMS: It's not right.

S ADAMS: It's not right.

L ADAMS: And you said...

S ADAMS: I want you to do that house, please. I did say please, right?

L ADAMS: Oh, absolutely. Your eyes always say please. That was the first renovation⁶ on this block.

S ADAMS: So the renovation of our own home became secondary to the renovation of our community. And there is such a blessing⁷ in the commitment that you and I have for each other. And I get great joy when that commitment manifests itself block by block, household by household.

L ADAMS: Before, I was renovating⁸ homes. But to take it deeper, to renovate⁹ communities is a purposeful life.

S ADAMS: I love you.

L ADAMS: Love you, too, baby.

(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

INSKEEP: Remember. It's OK to pull over the car if there's a tear in your eye. That was Larry and Sharon Adams for StoryCorps. In 2000, they established Walnut Way, a nonprofit dedicated¹⁰ to revitalizing their Milwaukee neighborhood, which has built and restored more than 100 homes. This conversation will be archived at the Library of Congress.

1 contractor   

n.订约人，承包人，收缩肌

参考例句：

• The Tokyo contractor was asked to kick $ 6000 back as commission.那个东京的承包商被要求退还6000美元作为佣金。
• The style of house the contractor builds depends partly on the lay of the land.承包商所建房屋的式样，有几分要看地势而定。

2 fixed   

adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的

参考例句：

• Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗？
• Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定，我们就不应该随意改变。

3 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

4 walnut   

n.胡桃，胡桃木，胡桃色，茶色

参考例句：

• Walnut is a local specialty here.核桃是此地的土特产。
• The stool comes in several sizes in walnut or mahogany.凳子有几种尺寸，材质分胡桃木和红木两种。

5 flickering   

adj.闪烁的，摇曳的，一闪一闪的

参考例句：

• The crisp autumn wind is flickering away. 清爽的秋风正在吹拂。
• The lights keep flickering. 灯光忽明忽暗。

6 renovation   

n.革新，整修

参考例句：

• The cinema will reopen next week after the renovation.电影院修缮后，将于下星期开业。
• The building has undergone major renovation.这座大楼已进行大整修。

7 blessing   

n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿

参考例句：

• The blessing was said in Hebrew.祷告用了希伯来语。
• A double blessing has descended upon the house.双喜临门。

8 renovating   

翻新，修复，整修( renovate的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• The increased production was largely attained by renovating old orchards and vineyards. 通过更新老果园和葡萄园，使生产大大增加。
• Renovating that house will cost you a pretty penny. 为了整修那所房子，你得花很多钱。

9 renovate   

vt.更新，革新，刷新

参考例句：

• The couple spent thousands renovating the house.这对夫妇花了几千元来翻新房子。
• They are going to renovate the old furniture.他们准备将旧家具整修一番。

10 dedicated   

adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的

参考例句：

• He dedicated his life to the cause of education.他献身于教育事业。
• His whole energies are dedicated to improve the design.他的全部精力都放在改进这项设计上了。