以前北京人有句顺口溜“天棚鱼缸石榴树,先生肥狗胖丫头”,说的就是小康之　家的生活理想(图8-5-04)　。　Beijing　is　sweltering　in　summer,　but　siheyuan　are　naturally　cool　(Fig.　8-5-03).　Windows　are　covered　with　gauze-like　'cool　cloth'　to　provide　good　ventilation　and　lighting.　The　doors　are　covered　with　bamboo　curtains　giving　a　blurry　view　of　trees,　sunshine　and　shade　in　the　yard.　For　coolness,　a　bucket　or　an　earthen　basin　can　be　put　in　the　house　with　a　big　chunk　of　natural　ice　from　an　ice　storage.　A　wealthy　family　may　set　up　an　awning　in　the　yard　for　enjoying　the　cool.　Building　an　awning　is　a　difficult　craft　requiring　a　specialist.　Long　fir　poles　are　used　for　the　posts,　short　bamboos　for　the　horizontal　trestles,　and　the　top　is　covered　with　a　reed　mat　simply　fastened　with　thick　and　thin　hemp　ropes.　It　is　ineffably　enjoyable　to　sit　under　such　a　shelter　from　heat　in　summer.　At　night,　the　reed　mat　can　be　rolled　up　for　a　view　of　the　starry　sky　that　inspires　imagination.　Awnings　are　also　set　up　to　receive　friends　and　relatives　at　weddings,　fu