Yep, I\’m using it up; the stuff I\’ve had in the freezer, that is. It was taking up space, so I had to do something with it.

I made a trip to the salvage store first thing today, as I often do on Saturdays. Sometimes I ask myself why I keep going to that store, when I\’ve already got so much stuff from there. Why don\’t I use it up before buying more?

Back home from the store, I had to unload and make a run to the bike shop. I had ordered a new chest strap for my Garmin, and it was ready for me to pick up. When I completed that errand, it was time for lunch; and also to calculate how much this morning\’s excursion to the salvage store saved me over regular supermarket prices.

Finally, I could start the soup. I was able to get five containers of odds and ends out of the freezer: cooking liquid from black beans, for one. I put in lentils, and carrot and potato. It tastes pretty good, if I may say so.

Around noon I thought I heard some faint grumbles of thunder. I was soon too busy cooking to pay attention to the weather. I finally did hear thunder for sure. The sky had become gray; welcome relief from the sun. A town not far from here had a Special Weather Statement about a severe T-storm.

Far better to get something like that over with now, I say. Tomorrow is long-ride day, and I don\’t need lightning cracking overhead then. A long ride means getting an electrolyte drink ready; I did that while I was busy in the kitchen anyway. I need to make a recovery drink, too; I\’ve got that whey protein powder, and I must be using it up.