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1、AInmanyhomes,thatmayamounttothestufffoundinthekitchencupboards,orthecontentsofonewalk-incloset.ForMs.Williams,itincludedallofherworldlybelongings,fromherbedroomsuite(amattressandaquilt)toherhomeentertainmentequipment(alaptop)toherjewelrycollection(fourpiecesinall:twonecklacesandtwopairso
2、fearrings).Tenyearsago,Ms.Williams,now51,soldherthree-bedroombungalowinPortland,Ore.,builtatinyhouseonametaltrucktraileranddroveittoOlympia,Wash.,whereitcametorestinthebackyardofherfriendsHughO’NeillandAnnieMcManus.Her“greatroom”istoosmallforacouch,herupstairsisjustasleepingloftwithaskyl
3、ight.There’sakitchencounterwithapropaneone-burner,butnoovenorrefrigerator.Therearelights,buttheyrunonsolarpower.There’sasinkandatoilet,butnorunningwater(whichmeanscompostingandnoshower).Beforegoingtiny,Ms.Williamswantedtodownsize,inspiredbyatripshetooktoanimpoverishedareaofGuatemala,andt
4、hegrowingsensethatherlifewasbeingconsumedbyhouseholdchores.At40,Ms.Williamshadaheartattackandwastoldshehadcardiomyopathy(心肌症),aconditionthatcanbefatal.Shebegantoconsiderhermortality,andhowshewantedtospendherremainingtime.Cleaningthegutters（下水道）didn’trankhighonthelist.“Istartedseeing‘cong
5、estiveheartfailure’inmyhealthrecords,”Ms.Williamssaid.“Ifyoulookituponline,yourlifeexpectancyistypicallyonetofiveyears.Thenotionofpayinga30-yearmortgagedidn’tmakesense.”Inadoctor’swaitingroom,Ms.WilliamsreadamagazinearticleaboutamannamedJayShaferandthetinyhousehehadbuilt,andwastakenwitht
6、heidea.SoonshewasflyingtoIowaCitytomeetwithMr.Shafer,aguruinthetiny-houseworld,andporingoverblueprintsbackinPortland.Itwasadistinctiveresponsetoahealthcrisis,sheadmits.Shesaid,“Livinginalittlehousemadesenseforme,itclicked.ItgavemeachancetoliveclosetomyfriendsandbehappywiththetimethatIhav
7、e.”ForMs.Williams,thatleapmighthavebeenlesssuccessfulhadshenotlandedwhereshedid.Byparkinghertinyhouseinherfriends’backyard,sheandherpreviousdog,RooDee,becamepartofatinycommunity,whosemembersincludedMr.O’NeillandMs.McManusandtheirtwoyoungchildren,KeevaandKellen,andMr.O’Nei
