We Orthodox are now in the Apostles Fast in preparation for the Feast of SS. Peter and Paul, on July 12. I must say that for me, it’s the easiest fast of the year, because it comes at a time when our gardens in south Louisiana are humming along. Just today a neighbor brought me bok choy (well, brought it to my parents, telling them, “If you don’t know what to do with it, give it to Rod, he’ll know how to cook it”), corn on the cob, tomatoes, and wax peppers. For supper tonight, I had to finish some young yellow squash that had been in my fridge for a week. I cooked it down with a fresh tomato, a couple of sliced peppers, and a Moroccan spice blend that the Red Stick Spice Company sells as “Ras El Hanout.” Man, there’s nothing like the taste of sliced yellow squash.

And yes, I drank Coke Zero — two cans! —  because only God can judge me.