Lazbuddie is One Hundred Years Old

by | Aug 4, 2025 | Bright Lights

Back in 1882 Parmer County was a part of the XIT Ranch. In 1902 Mr. A. Laird bought 10,240 acres of the XIT land that became known as the Star Ranch. In 1924 Andrew “Buddy” Sherley purchased eight sections of land that included the Star Ranch and its...

The Gymnocalycium That Kept on Blooming

by | Jul 28, 2025 | Cactus Are Cool

Gymnocalycium is a neat little cactus native to South America, mostly found in Argentina, but sometimes found in Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Brazil. Sometimes nicknamed the chin cactus because the rounded ribs often have a “chin” below the areoles. The...

The Yucca and Cholla Dilemma

by | Jul 14, 2025 | Cactus Are Cool

Back in 2009 I made two trips to Cibolo Creek Ranch near Marfa, the first time to learn about taking pictures with Wyman Meinzer, the second to plant cactus gardens for the ranch with their native cactus. On one of those trips they had just grated their roads. This...

Update on the Melocactus

by | Jul 6, 2025 | Cactus Are Cool

I bought my Melocactus salvadorensis at a Texas Association of Cactus and Succulent Societies (TACSS) seminar in Austin in 2022 and showed it to you in “My New Melocactus,” November 3, 2022. Melocactus are distinguished by the cephalium that develops in...

Polished Boots

by | Jun 29, 2025 | Bright Lights

Going through Bill’s clothes the other day, looking for new homes for them so someone can get some good out of them, I came across a somewhat forgotten pair of Tony Lamas in the corner. They were clean, but dusty. Which made me think of how shined shoes and...