Like Bookends

Yesterday's visitors made themselves right at home.  There were six that I counted wandering around throughout the day grazing on things they're not supposed to like.  They sense, of course, that my roses are about to bloom.  Or maybe they've just heard the news, about the fortress, and have come to check it out for themselves.  Hey!  Shoo! Get away from those flowers!  (Note the terror I inspire?)  Sometimes it all seems quite hopeless.

But then, there's a knock at the backdoor.  And The Mister is standing there, looking bashful as a schoolboy, with a most wonderful surprise!