Josephine: Thank you so much! It had been identified for me in the past but for the life of me I couldn't remember the name. It is indeed a Zanthoxylum, but not Z. hirsutum, rather another variety Z. clava-herculis. Thanks again for your help!
~ I'm an old gal who still loves playing in the dirt!
~ Playing in the dirt is my therapy ... and I'm in therapy a lot!