I thought of flying colors when I named this dish, Go Red. It’s my umpteenth variation on Hoppin’ John; and it uses red lentils and red bell pepper. The funny thing about red lentils is that they turn yellow during cooking!

Maybe I should have named this Go Yellow? And after all, today the Tour de France began; and that brings to mind the yellow jersey!

It’s a wonderful feeling to get to the end of a big ride with flying colors — as in reaching the end of a century. Nothing matches that elation; but it’s about nine years since I last got to experience it.

For several years I’ve worked up century training plans; and something always derails those plans. Last year it was Hurricane Ida; and I have persistent problems with fatigue, anyway. Maybe I need to forget about doing a century for the time being; namely, to strike the colors! I did my century rides mostly to see whether I could; and I found out than I can!

Flying colors also makes me think of a hummingbird. Once I saw one when the sunlight was shining on it; and that bird positively glittered! Hummingbirds are amazing; and I wish I saw more of them.

But back to the kitchen. I have to plan some cooking to do over the weekend. Garbage Soup might not seem exotic — and in fact, it isn’t — but the freezer is getting too crowded again.