I started collecting plants about 20 years ago. At first it was collecting from the local nursery in San Felipe in Baja Norte California so I could plant them around a friend’s property in Puertecitos, Baja California. Then 15 years ago I bought my home in Riverside and proceeded to remove the grass in my ½ acre backyard and install rocks and cacti. The front yard soon followed, receiving an aloe and rock remodel. After those first couple of years I began to meet people that would change my whole outlook on cacti and succulent plants. It was at this time I ran into a person whom I would later call my mentor. He took the time to instil in me the drive to learn correct terminology and spelling of plants. He also taught me to take a more scientific approach of gathering information. It was this approach that I call “playing with my plants” which gave me the willingness to do what I have done to plants, in the name of further education.