I do enjoy a good Labor Day storm. It puts a definitive end to the summer. I would have liked to see a bit more rain from the system, but as we know, the weather does not respond to criticism. (Neither do I!)

I sadly and happily took Violet off to Tabor Academy over the weekend. I miss her cheerful presence already.

The mass exodus from the Island on Sunday was crazy. The line of passengers boarding the ferry was around the SSA building. Then up the road, the queue getting over the Bourne Bridge was downright impressive.

My return trip on Monday afternoon (the last trip taken for the day) was really something. To call it frightening would be a compliment.

On inspection Tuesday, my garden took quite a beating. The poor sunflowers were sprawled all over the place. I never pick them. I like to leave them for the goldfinches. I have not planted any seeds for years. I depend on the little birds to toss them about.

A wonderful vine for a sturdy fence is a birdhouse gourd. The flower is tropical-looking and the gourds are ornamental at any stage. We have made a few birdhouses in the past. Just wait until they dry, cut a small hole — the seeds will spill out — and paint to preserve them. They will last a year or so outside.

My third planting of beans is ready to be picked. I harvested two Moon and Stars watermelons. They could have used a couple more days to ripen, but honestly, I know it was a matter of time until some critter got to them first.

I only warn of these events because they have happened to me.

I think skunks are eating my tomatoes as they ripen, so now I have to pick them early and ripen them on the kitchen counter. I hate that! Oh, well. Such is life.

I planted some corn very late with little hope. It is tasseling (what a miracle). Sadly, most of it is lying down as a result of Monday’s wind, but I still think I’ll get a few ears.

I hope I remember next year to seed another cucumber planting in mid-July. This year’s midsummer planting is yielding perfect cucumbers. My first planting has white dried-up leaves and sad, misshapen cukes. I’ll yank them out next time I walk by.

The heptacodium is in flower. Please consider it when purchasing an ornamental tree. It is simply lovely and bees love it.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has been making news of late. He says people should not be encouraged to vote. I may have to agree with him. A person should take it as a sacred responsibility not given to every human being on the planet. That person owes it to society to be well informed.

I confess I needed some help with my choices for Thursday’s primaries. Fala Freeman, Lilian Robinson and Tristan Israel chatted me up at the Vineyard Haven post office recently.

All politics is local, who said that? Was it Tip O’Neill?