Dear Sun Spots: I would like to share with all of your readers who are diabetic: Our needles can be discarded in a clean, empty, quart or gallon milk bottle with a cap and put in with your regular household rubbish once it’s filled. This is a safety precaution for those who have to handle all pickups. – G.P., Lewiston.

Answer: Sun Spots spoke to a representative in the solid waste department who notes those discarded needles need to be disposed of in a very stiff, noncrushable container. The solid waste department recommends Gatorade bottles or the like, which are very thick and unlikely to to be easily crushed and prick any of the solid waste collectors on the job. Another option would be a metal can with tight-fitting lid. Sun Spots would recommend you please contact your solid waste department to verify what items you can and cannot discard with your household waste. This would ensure both your safety and the safety of those handling your household pickup.

Dear Sun Spots: On Jan. 8, Sun Spots published my letter asking for birthday, anniversary and any such cards for a project I was working on. I thank you for sending all those cards to me. I appreciate it.

However, I offered to pay postage, and I’ve gotten so many cards that the postage is getting too expensive for me and I cannot afford to do this any more.

From this day forward, I cannot accept any more cards. – Barbara Titcomb, Farmington.

Dear Sun Spots: I am a devoted reader of Sun Spots, and now I need your help!

I have this song running through my head and I don’t remember all the words. It goes like this ‘just let a smile be your umbrella on a rainy day.’ I know the music but can’t remember all the words. I volunteer at Montello Manor and have sing-alongs with the people there. This would be a new song for us to sing. Also, if anyone has song books to donate, I’d really appreciate it. – L.G., No Town.

Answer: Ironically, your request came in on a soft day as it’s known in Ireland. All of us here in the newsroom encountered a good wet, soaking but others around the state experienced snow. Sun Spots was beginning to wonder if you weren’t psychic and ensuring she carried her brolly to work and back.

According to several Web sites, this particular song was sung by Perry Como. Hopefully, these are the lyrics:

Let A Smile Be Your Umbrella (On a Rainy Day )

Just let a smile be your umbrella,

On a rainy, rainy day . . .

And if your sweetie cries, just tell her,

That a smile will always pay . . .

Whenever skies are gray,

Don`t you worry or fret,

A smile will bring the sunshine,

And you`ll never get wet!

So, let a smile be your umbrella,

On a rainy, rainy day . . .

Instrumental break

Just let a smile be your umbrella,

On a rainy, rainy day . . .

And if your sweetie cries, just tell her,

That a smile will always pay . . .

Whenever skies are gray,

Don`t worry or fret,

A smile will bring the sunshine,

And you`ll never get wet!

So, let a smile be your umbrella,

On a rainy, rainy day . . .

Instrumental break

Just let a smile be your umbrella,

On a rainy, rainy day . . .

On a rainy, rainy day . . .

On a rainy, rainy day . . .

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). 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 posted at www.sunjournal.com in the Advice section under Opinion on the left-hand corner of your computer screen. In addition, you can e-mail your inquiries to sunspots@sunjournal.com