The TACSS Fall Seminar Finally Happened

When the pandemic hit in 2020 and the Austin Cactus and Succulent Society was to be the host club for the Texas Association of Cactus and Succulent Societies, or TACSS as we all refer to it, the event had to be put on hold till the world got well. So after several...

Bonfire 2022

Friday, September 9, 2022, will be homecoming at Muleshoe High School. For the past week, and maybe a few days more, we have  watched a steady progression of city dump trucks rumble past our house full of branches, tree trunks, and occasional pieces of lumber...

The Praying Mantis Claims this Bush as Its Home

As I was watering the rock rose the other day, Pavonia lasiopetala, something moved in the bush. Imagine my surprise, and delight, to see I was being frowned upon by an indignant praying mantis who didn’t appreciate me disturbing his home! Praying mantis are in the...

Don’t Bring that Prickly Pear in the House!

I received an email from a magazine with an article about using certain succulents for house plants. From the beginning I questioned most of the choices, and eventually the article suggested prickly pear as a house plant. Whaaaat? Are they serious? That’s a terrible...