You really don’t miss the water until the well runs dry. Thankfully, I am only speaking metaphorically. Now that we have experienced a few frosts I miss all the vibrant colors of the fall gardens.

By LYNNE IRONS

You really don’t miss the water until the well runs dry. Thankfully, I am only speaking metaphorically. Now that we have experienced a few frosts I miss all the vibrant colors of the fall gardens. Alyssum, petunias, bacopas, and even geraniums are still blooming like crazy. I think I’ll use more of the aforementioned next year in window boxes. I have had bacopa blooming at Christmas. It looks great spilling out of a green holiday arrangement.

What a week! Finally, the end of the war in Iraq and the 42-year reign of Muammar el-Qaddafi. For me, last week’s editor’s note about me down with the flu was a small part of the story.

By LYNNE IRONS

What a week! Finally, the end of the war in Iraq and the 42-year reign of Muammar el-Qaddafi. For me, last week’s editor’s note about me down with the flu was a small part of the story. Yes, I did have the fever and chills but the big deal was a back injury which kept me in bed for four days. It seems I was careless the previous Saturday during the annual dispatching of our pigs. I will spare the tender-hearted of you with the gory details.

Editor’s Note: Columnist Lynne Irons was struck with the flu and will be back next week. The following column by her was published in the Gazette on Oct. 12, 2007.

By LYNNE IRONS

Editor’s Note: Columnist Lynne Irons was struck with the flu and will be back next week. The following column by her was published in the Gazette on Oct. 12, 2007.

Could we possibly plan a more perfect weekend than last. I did some gardening sitting on a stool and simply enjoying the days.

I want to say that fall might be the whole reason for living on the Vineyard. We have had a series of beautiful days; the humidity has finally lifted, nights are cool for sleeping and I can find parking spaces

By LYNNE IRONS

I want to say that fall might be the whole reason for living on the Vineyard. We have had a series of beautiful days; the humidity has finally lifted, nights are cool for sleeping and I can find parking spaces.

The garden is putting in its final effort. I am actually preparing meals again. I’ve mentioned before the sorry state of my life mid-summer; to spend a day canning tomatoes and then sending out for pizza simply boggles the mind.

Take my advice — I’m not using it! Every year at this time I regret that I neglected to nip back the tall garden mums and fall asters in early June.

By LYNNE IRONS

Take my advice — I’m not using it! Every year at this time I regret that I neglected to nip back the tall garden mums and fall asters in early June. Both are now so tall they have fallen over from the weight of the blossoms. Nevertheless, I am enjoying the asters; I think they are known as New England asters. Most of mine are a deep purple. They look especially nice among a huge amount of baby blue wild asters that I’ve never bothered to weed from my perennial beds.