DEAR SUN SPOTS: Is everything OK? We noticed there were a couple of your columns missing at the end of last week! Did the storm knock you out of commission? Only temporarily, we hope! — Leslie, no town
ANSWER: Thanks for checking on me! The storm of last week certainly caused some technical difficulties for me, as I’m sure it did for thousands of other Mainers. No power or internet for four days and nights plus half another day. Big trees on utility lines were involved, but I feel grateful to be back in business and was able to have a holiday celebration. It was quieter than usual but that’s quite all right.
I felt bad to not be able to produce a column for two days but I knew Sun Spots readers would understand.
Are you all OK? If you want to share your stories here, send them in. I’d especially like to hear about who helped you through the storm, or who you helped! I’m always up for a good listen.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: I hope everyone who lost power during the storm, had trees down, leaking roofs, flooded basements, etc. are recovering and getting things back to normal.
We have kids in our family who are old enough to understand that Christmas can be postponed.
Last year we were without power, too, and celebrated Christmas on New Year’s Eve. We decided to do that again this year. It takes the pressure off the adults and gives us all, including the kids, time to decompress.
We’re spreading out the gift-giving over a period of three evenings and we’ll have a big meal with extended family next Sunday when everyone is more rested and calmer, and ovens, heat and lights are working.
Today (Christmas Eve) we’ve finished sorting through all the wet items in our basement and tomorrow we’ll rest, enjoy homemade soup and bread brought to us by a relative, and play cards. We’re all OK with it!
ANSWER: You’ve got the right idea. I’m glad your family is on board and that you have such a positive attitude.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am looking for a VHS player. Would anyone have one they no longer use? I am willing to pay for it if it’s under $100. — No name, no town
ANSWER: It would be great if a Sun Spotter responded to this request. If they don’t, VHS and combination VHS/DVD players can still be purchased from Walmart and Amazon. eBay also has preowned, refurbished machines on offer. I saw used Sony models in the $30 to $60 range on eBay but the machines available at Walmart and Amazon are also refurbished and expensive. They probably have some kind of warranty though. Choose carefully.
You may want to consider converting your VHS tapes to DVDs. There are converter kits available for this or you can send your VHS tapes away to be converted. Photo Finish at the Auburn Mall can also help you with this task. Contact them at 783-3354. They are open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
If you have VHS feature movies to convert, you may want to replace them with DVDs or see what streaming services offer them — just a thought.
This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name. We won’t use it if you ask us not to. Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
