the next few days and the upcoming labor day weekend would rush by in a blur of arrivals and departures , distracted hugs and kisses , soggy towels and sandy grandchildren , beach baskets of squished sandwiches and bruised fruit , car loads of shopping , a constantly running washing machine trying to keep up with the limited clothing of the visitors , and ripening tomatoes , high up on their staked vines , demanding to be picked before they burst open and oozed red pulp and slick seeds .