Hi rober49, Maybe someone from your area will pop up, it`s always nice to have a garden buddy close by that way you can meet and have in person trades, makes gardening more fun! Best wishes, Karen

Diane and Glenda, Y'all be careful outside. It wouldn't be fun to look up and see those eyes staring back at you. With all due respect, I'd rather see them there than see them here. Now, y'all don't take that personally, alright? All we've had this year are bobcats (LOTS of bobcat kittens) and big coyotes with heavier-than-usual winter coats. They are out hunting in the middle of the day, so I guess food is scarce. Scott, Got tons of deer there this year? We have outrageously high amounts here this winter. Jay, I wonder too if the increasing sightings are due to more movement or more trail cameras. On the local news in Dallas this week, they showed video footage of a mama bobcat and her kittens hanging out on a family's deck and in their backyard in the Frisco, TX, area in Collin County. That neighborhood has had bobcats around ever since it was built, but this is the first time these people have spotted bobcats just outside their door. Maybe it is just the very cold weather causing a lot of these animals to be more visible while searching for food. Yesterday we had a big coyote just across the street around noon, and one of my cats didn't come inside at the usual time. I called and called her and she didn't come. I walked down towards the road because she likes to hang out in the tall grass by the little pond. She was sitting there hidden in the grass. Something had scared her because when she saw me she immediately ran to me at a high rate of speed and jumped up into my arms from about 4' away. Clearly she was scared to death of something because we've had her 8 or 10 years and never once has she run to me like that or jumped up into my arms. I wish she could talk and tell me what happened to frighten her so. I suspect she saw that coyote and sat there hidden in the tall grass afraid to move. Dawn

Hi there and welcome, we're always glad to meet new members. Even though I don't live over there, I am somewhat familiar with the area so here's my picks. Those who live closer will add some I'm sure. You can find your Hechtia lundeliorum at Yuccado in Giddings about 1.5 hour drive from you. They do not have a retail store, but you can pick up orders by appointment. You can also check with a local nursery to see if they will order for you. Antique Rose Emporium is a great place to explore. Their demonstration gardens are the best around and they usually have a great selection of natives and succulents in addition to roses. It's also an hour or so drive for you, but is on the route to Houston if you are driving back and forth. If you are going to Houston, then Houston Garden Center has great prices on standard plants so check there for basics. There are usually coupons in the paper or online for additional savings. Don't expect any service at these prices, so know what you need before you go.

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