You could blame the devil for spawning this horned plant.

Or you could hold Thomas Jefferson responsible for its appearance on America’s eastern beaches. In 1807, he planted its seeds at Monticello “in an oval bed southeast of the house.” No matter whom you fault, the mellow yellow blooms of the horned poppy are on our beaches to stay.

An entertaining e-mail from Bob St. Germain reminded me that it is that time of year again. I must give my annual lecture on the importance of keeping a distance from bird nests and also slowing down on the roads. Birds passing across the Vineyard roads are undoubtedly carrying food for young at this time of year. If you hit one, then the nestlings or fledglings will have difficulty surviving.

I've had a hen jealously guarding her eggs. When I try to take them she pecks my hand and becomes downright aggressive. For several weeks I have left her alone. Last Sunday morning one tiny baby hatched. It was tucked in under her wing when I opened the coop. This has happened in the past when I have a flock of mixed breeds which are known to go.

The battle lines have been drawn.

For some years now the town of Oak Bluffs has hosted an annual Monster Shark Tournament during a weekend in July. The event is well attended by both fishermen and spectators. But it is also protested regularly.

There were children prancing around in angel costumes, families noshing on barbeque food and familiar tunes blasting from speakers. It was like one big Islandwide block party at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School track last Friday as Islanders gathered to celebrate life.

But all fell silent when Tammy King, chief organizer of the event, took the microphone to inaugurate Martha’s Vineyard Relay for Life’s ninth annual all-night fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.

The Beach Plum Inn had an unusual guest this week.

Quiet, reserved, and ready to explore the Island, this four-legged visitor cozied up in the lobby of the inn for the past week, enjoying the scene and posing for pictures too.

It’s not a dog, nor even a cat. Nope, it’s a chair.

The traveling Red Chair has made its way from Woods Hole to Provincetown and back, taking a special trip to the Island as its last stop.

Hungry for Baseball? Full Meal Arrives

Forget Shark Week – Shark Summer on the Vineyard is about to begin, not in the water but on the baseball field.

Ice Arena Open Forum

Here are the cold, hard facts – The Martha’s Vineyard Ice Arena plans to expand, and the public is invited to help plan. The Arena, along with Mashek MacLean Architects, will host an open forum at 5:30 p.m. on June 12 at the P.A. Club in Oak Bluffs. Everyone is invited to come and break the ice at the debate table, making suggestions for arena improvements. It will be a place to get in touch with your inner Zamboni — sharing opinions and asking questions to create a smoother ice rink experience.

Gelatin Photography

Silver-toned gelatin may sound like an expensive and dangerous dessert, but be assured it isn’t. Vineyard resident and photographer Janet Woodcock will give a talk about her art – traditional silver-toned gelatin photography – on Saturday, June 9, at 5 p.m. at the Louisa Gould Gallery located at 54 Main street in Vineyard Haven.

Rose Treat Celebration

No one can get enough of the Vineyard. But perhaps no one had a greater talent for prolonging her Island stay than the late Rose Treat. She died on November 2, 2011 in her Sengekontacket home, just two weeks shy of turning 103 years old.