Simpson Stopper (Myrcianthes fragrans) or Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria). Both are native and need no care once established. They are evergreen and dense growing and if they get to big tolerate heavy pruning. They also both produce berries for birds and the dense growth is good for cover and nesting. The flowers on Simpson Stopper are fragrant. With the Yaupon Holly, find the "wild" species type. A lot of the time nurseries sell the dwarf compact forms, such as 'Schillings', 'Stoke's Dwarf' or 'Bordeaux'

Upstate NY has high and low temperatures currently several degrees above averages. Though a day ago it was 5 degrs at the school bus in the morning, but high tomorrow at 41, currently a dusting of snow. None of the -20F nights in sight yet. But the next hosta generation is coming : seedlings of War Paint, June, Sally & Bob, Starboard light are growing under light. (I have to check on them every few hours) 'Uncle Albert' seedlings I bet are germinating right now, and I might get more seeds arriving today in the mail. I have to keep hosta gardening also in the winter! Bernd

GO Active Living makes double-walled insulated beverage holders for hot and for cold drinks. You can buy direct from their website (linked) or from Amazon, an authorized reseller. If you go to the website and fill in the form to get emails from them, they'll send you an e-mail that will give you 50% off on your purchase. We have several of the 24-ounce and 32-ounce beverage holders and they are GREAT at keeping cold drinks cold. Haven't tried the ones intended for hot drinks yet. The 24-ounce and 32-ounce holders for cold drinks will also keep hot drinks piping hot -- it's just that they don't recommend sipping the hot drinks through the built-in straw because you'd be more likely to burn your mouth/tongue.

I have a friend who took her teenage granddaughter to Los Angeles for music auditions. One of the "auditions" turned out to be a lure to get them into the Scientology building. I don't remember all the details but at one point they were locked in a large meeting room. I forget how they managed to escape but they were very frightened by the experience! Donna