: Well,today's a national Holiday in Japan that, unfortunately，we don't have in the

States: Respect - For -The - Aged - Day. I think it's a good chance for younger

people to remember something valuable they've learned frome an elderly friend or

a family member．In fact，I learned something interesting recently when I stayed for

two weeks at an inn run by an elderly couple in Kanazawa. Every morning，the women

made miso soup ．But there was always a new ingredient．

: One morning it was myoga，the next morning potatoes，and the next,fu or wakame．

The base was the same, but by changing just one ingredient, the flavor was a little

different each day. Every morning I looked forward to the new taste and wondered,

"What will it be today?"I guess I learned two things from this. One, some great ideas

for making miso soup.And two,I remembered the wisdom of the saying,"Variety is the

spice of life.", and the way even small changes can give our lives an exciting new flavor.