So I know it's been a bit terse around the blog lately, with shorter-than-usual (and that's really saying something) posts arriving late in the day. It's because of work, of course, and remodeling. Spring fever has a lot to do with it, as does an ailing 18-year-old cat.

This week, though, the blogular brevity is because of a landscaping project that's thisclose to being finished, and which I can't wait to show you (and yes, Melissa, there will be photos, LOTS of photos, and probably even another slide show) but for now, let's look at what happened almost the very instant the bed in front of the house was finished, a moment that made the whole long and sweaty job worth it.

Look -- a butterfly.