That was some serious rain we had last Friday. I had at least four inches in a bucket. I cannot believe our good fortune here on the Vineyard. Floods, fires, hurricanes all around and yet we have been spared.

The beds in front of Shirley’s Hardware are looking quite nice. I love the pale blue morning glory up the sign. Morning glories tend to annoy me. They take so long to bloom when they are planted from seed. Also, if they are planted in rich soil they are all leaf and few flowers. They actually perform better in poor soil.

Then, of course, there are the wild ones — the bane of my existence. They have taken over my vegetable garden

I pull their long white roots endlessly. They only sport and occasional pale pink flower. They are recognizable early on by the pointed triangular leaf as opposed to the heart-shaped leaf of, say, Heavenly Blues of Grandpa Ott’s.

I planted some winter rye which was up two inches in four days. How can that be possible? It is hard to tell when it first emerges as it is a reddish color which blends right in with the soil.

Last week’s big winds flattened the Mexican sunflowers. They continue to soldier on and are blooming right on the ground. Their stately presence is missing, sadly.

On the Edgartown Road opposite Skiff avenue, there is a large tree stump, perhaps 10 feet tall. On the top there is an enormous chicken of the woods mushroom. I understand they are edible but, I confess I do not eat wild mushrooms. Call me chicken if you must. I simply do not trust myself. I admire those who do but don’t bring me any.

Finally the tomato plants are gone thanks to my worker, Sakino. The area is now ready to receive garlic. I may wait until the first of November as I do not want them to sprout too quickly.

The beginning of August, Marie gave me a flat of unseparated cabbage seedlings. I was too lazy/busy to plant them properly. I threw them in a big clump into some semi-prepared dirt and walked away. Now they are a foot tall and way too crowded to ever form heads. I’ve been cutting them to the quick and blending them into smoothies. They are delicious — go figure!

The garden mums are in full and glorious bloom. I would much rather have them than the “bomb” types sitting alongside a pumpkin. The garden ones are two feet tall, spread like crazy and choke out any weeds in their path. Also, honey bees love them.

My friend, Sharlee, skimmed a shovelful of bok choy babies which had reseeded in a path. I divided and planted them. They were ready to eat in just a few weeks. Now there are at least 100 more which came in along the dirt. Isn’t nature grand?

I took a week’s hiatus from the news but, honestly, I’m just too nosy.

I cannot help following the disappearance of Saudi dissident and Washington Post Jamal Khashoggi.

It’s shameful that our country has not taken any important action. Many corporate business people including CEOs Richard Branson and Jamie Dimon have pulled out of Friday’s big financial conference in Riyadh. Not so our Secretary Mnuchin at the insistence of our President.

Trump seems super concerned about our arms deal with the Arab Kingdom. We want to keep selling them arms? Why? So they can kill tens of thousands in Yemen?

Correct me if I’m wrong. Weren’t 15 of the 19 Sept. 11 hijackers from Saudi Arabia? Oh, well?

I guess following the money is in order — both the Trump family’s and our very own crown prince Jared Kushner’s.

Color me cynical but why would an Orthodox Jew be besties with an Arab prince?