I had the front yard all nice an pretty years ago. Twent years ago I was into cactus and succulents and there were many in the yard.
1988
Sorry the only photo I could find was this of the east end of the yard.
Then slowly weeds and a "wood rose" vine began taking over. It got to a point where I liked the "look". The "look" was : What a junk yard, must be nothing worth stealing in the house. The wife began to threaten to hire yard cleaners if I didn't clean it up, so I began last year.