Don’t be fooled by the miniscule amount of rain that fell during the beginning of this week. While wonderful, it did nothing to help the condition of our soil. Keep right on watering, at least weekly.

I read an old book from the 1800s entitled The Gardener’s Bedbook. This reading took place decades ago but one sentence has permanently lodged in my brain: “It is an abhorrence for the earth to freeze dry.”

Word to the wise, make sure all your trees and shrubs get a nice long drink before cold weather sets in, especially the broad leafed evergreens and maple trees.

I dug rather large holes, two feet or more deep, this week to receive some crape myrtles. It was pure powder and very compacted. I think the word is hydrophobic when the soil is so dry it refused to allow water to enter. I’m sure you have noticed watering of an extremely dry pot. It pours right through.

I think I have been complaining about the weather for months — thank you for your indulgence. Honestly, what’s wrong with me. Oh no, another nice day on the Vineyard.

Recently, I traveled North Road at dusk. I saw dozens of deer in the big field at Seven Gates. I don’t think I have seen such a large number since I left Rew, Pa. We lived in deer and bear county in the mountains and it wasn’t unusual to see large herds.

Then, down near Vineyard Haven, I saw the enormous herd of goats at the Mal Fain property across from Lower Lambert’s Cove Road. They are doing a fine job of clearing and mowing the fields.

I forgot to plant lantana this year. I am quite fond of it. Now, especially, it is looking great with its teal seed heads. I’ve noticed some here and there in ornamental pots. It smells terrible, therefore it is not a favorite of deer.

I planted Nebraska wedding heirloom tomatoes this year and am very happy. It is large, very flavorful and a pleasing bright orange. I sliced one on top of some Orange Peel Bakery rosemary bread, drenched the whole mix with olive oil and added some Grey Barn blue cheese. Yummy.

Not so yummy was my first of the season grape juice. I use Concord grapes and it is usually wonderful. This year, however, I rushed the season somewhat. The grapes could have ripened another week or so. It was good but not great.

It’s a time-consuming task but usually well worth the trouble. Pick and clean a boatload of grapes, cover with water, bring only to a simmer until the juices release. Run it through a cheesecloth, sweeten a tiny bit to taste with some local honey. I then water bath the quarts for 35 minutes in 190-degree water. Do not boil.

I heard some interesting statistics. More than 80 per cent of the mass shootings and killings in our country are done by non-Muslims, and yet, Donald Trump cannot stop blaming them. This is only when he is not blaming President Obama and Hillary Clinton.

Also, refugees are the most highly vetted people who come into our country. It is a process often taking more than two years. The refugees fleeing Syria who are mostly Muslims are the biggest target of ISIS and, of course, the Syrian regime.

I must say, I have never felt more hopeless in an election year. Even if Trump loses, more than 40 per cent of our country doesn’t care that he is ill-prepared, temperamentally unfit, and doesn’t even seem to understand how our country works. I think he is running for king.