I was so grateful for last Thursday’s downpour. It started off slow enough to prepare the ground. I was happy that most of it sunk in rather than running off, as is sometimes the case when the ground is super dry.

I was caught driving during the heaviest part. People were throwing the word Biblical around. Here it is Tuesday and I have not needed to drag hoses around for several days. What a welcome change.

I love everything about fall in the garden. I am especially fond of the subtle colors, to wit, the first bed one encounters in the down-Island Cronig’s parking lot. The sedum and the seed heads of the ornamental grasses are particularly lovely.

I must give a shout out to Steve Bernier. He’s out in the parking lot most mornings, clipping, deadheading, sweeping and picking up trash. It’s nice to see a shopkeeper caring about the outside appearance of an establishment. Also, how wonderful is it to park in the shade under the solar panels on a hot and miserable sunny afternoon?

I am not a huge fan of the gold-colored mums that are too short with too many blossoms. I prefer the old-fashioned, tall garden varieties that will not bloom for several more weeks — Penelope Pease, Sheffield Pinks, and Clara Curtis are three very nice cultivars. They spread like crazy and have the ability to crowd out weeds as they grow.

Speaking of weeds — OMG. They are out of control in my big vegetable garden. There is no hope of pulling them. I’ve been simply cutting them at ground level in the ridiculous hope that they will not go to seed all over creation. As if!

The other day as I entered my driveway to park under my Heptacodium, the Blue Danube Waltz was playing on the car radio. In perfect time, bumble bees were busy with the flowers of said tree. Their tiny legs were so laden with pollen I feared for their return flight home. I spent a few minutes remembering how classical music played during the cartoons of my youth.

I digress. Heptacodium is well worth an investment at a local nursery. It is one of the few fall blooming trees. Also in full bloom are several different colors of crape myrtle. Both trees have interesting exfoliation bark later in the season.

My bush beans are within days of producing. I planted them just five weeks ago. I’m so pleased. As of right now they do not have a single Mexican bean beetle. Knock wood! Hopefully, it is too late for the pests.

The best news in the vegetable garden this year is that I have two, count them two, basketball-sized Moon and Stars watermelons. I’ve eaten one. It is delicious, although loaded with seeds. I’ve been spoiled by all the supermarket seedless ones in the past few years. They do not, however, measure up to Moon and Stars in flavor. Isn’t that always the way. Good things require work.

What in the world is happening in Syria? We do not get any accurate information. I feel so bad for all the refugees. I cannot understand why the U.S. is not stepping up and taking in some sizable numbers.

The so-called Christians on the neo-con far right sure want to exert some military might in Syria. They’ve been criticizing the weaknesses of the President.

We could take in some of those poor people and show real moral courage and world citizenship.