Columbus Day weekend was a series of beautiful days. It was difficult to do anything but enjoy them. I attempted to work in my garden but my granddaughter, Violet, didn’t feel well.

By LYNNE IRONS

This past week the third and fourth grade classes at the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School began learning about corn’s native origins. They made some cornmeal in class. I loaned my hand grain grinder to the project. It was nothing short of a miracle that I was able to locate the item. Honestly, I have everything. I need to go on that show Hoarders. I have had the grinder since the mid-seventies, when I was convinced I could go off the grid and do everything myself. Being 40 years younger is always a plus.

By LYNNE IRONS

I know what I like. I’m absolute about my dislikes. I grew a number of eggplant and pepper varieties this year and, fortunately, made a map of the garden beds. Perhaps my observations will help you make your own selections for next spring’s ordering. Here are some of my favorites.

By LYNNE IRONS

By LYNNE IRONS

I can’t remember a year when I grew so many tomatoes. I have painted myself into a corner. Wasting food is among my least desirable activities. This is going to require a real commitment to get them all processed. Be forewarned: I will be bringing tomato dishes to all potlucks in the coming season.

By LYNNE IRONS

There is a Paul Simon song with the following lyric: “Why am I soft in the middle when the rest of my life is so hard?” The sentence kept coming to mind last week during the hurried preparations for Hurricane Earl. I continued to overthink everything. Will this or that be blown away or should I put a rock on top and call it a day?