Last Wednesday I saw a deer making her way along the far boundary of our neighbor’s back yard. She sniffed the shrubs and plants on the ground as she scanned the hedgerow. Each time she saw something edible, she scooped it up, chomped it thoroughly and wagged her tail like a puppy. I didn’t know they did that. I was smitten all over again.

When a deer appears outside the kitchen window I confess I am gobsmacked by its beauty. The wagging tail added an additional snippet of pleasure.

Those of us who live in downtown West Tisbury don’t have to shoo away the clusters of deer that over-populate the more rural parts of the Island. Deer are not welcome because they carry the majority of disease-bearing ticks. Deer also have appetites for flowers in gardens and, of course, those neat rows of vegetables right there on the open ground.

I am sorry that deer are the unwitting hosts to the tick proliferation, and sorry too that they don’t have enough to eat in the wild. I also know they are delicious. Still I am glad that I sometimes get to see one of these lovely creatures, even though I nearly burned our dinner on Wednesday.

Despite the early evening shower last Saturday, we were cozy and dry tucked inside a party tent to celebrate the 85th birthday of Richard Knabel. Close to 50 people gathered under the big tent on the lawn of the Field Gallery for the occasion. Every elegant table, every surface, boasted an eye-catching bouquet of June flowers, mostly peonies, which are having a lush bounty of a season.

About half of the guests were West Tisbury friends, most of the rest came from elsewhere on the Island. Coming from farther afield were Jim and Vera Holman from Staten Island. Jim’s nephew Andrew Holman from Brooklyn made a special quick trip for the weekend and promises to return in August for a longer vacation.

John and Vivian Anderson drove up from Albany. John is a former student of Richard’s from 60 years ago, and the two men have remained good friends over the decades.

My sister-in-law Sandra Caruso arrived Monday from Los Angeles for a short visit with family and friends. Sandra grew up summers in West Tisbury but hasn’t had a chance to come to the Island for more than a decade.

Dr. Blake Rosenthal and her family have also arrived from Los Angeles for a vacation and visit with her east coast relatives. Blake also grew up summers in West Tisbury.

Don’t forget the town picnic Sunday, June 15, at the Grange Hall, from noon until 3 p.m. Music, games, ice cream, neighbors and friends.

Happy birthday Friday, June 13, to Anita Botti and Tim Lasker. Birthday wishes go to Mary Breslauer on Saturday, June 14, and to Paul Doherty on Monday, June 16.

Congratulations and happy wedding anniversary to Ben and Nicole Vadasz Cabot on June 17, and to Dan and Caroline Mayhew June 19.

Congratulations as well to the seniors who graduated from the Regional High School this past weekend. “Now your real life can begin,” to quote Colin Hay.