DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have just found an old mood ring but can’t remember what the different colors mean. Any help out there? Thanks for all you do. — No Name via email

ANSWER: Talk about a fad from the past! Sun Spots remembers when everyone had a mood ring, even her, in the 1970s.

As for the colors, she found this at www.bestmoodrings.com:

Black: fear, nothing, angst, serious, overworked, stormy, depressed, intense

Yellow: anxious, cool, cautious, distracted, mellow, so-so

Orange: stressed, nervous, mixed, confused, upset, challenged, indignant

Green-peridot: mixed emotions, restless, irritated, distressed, worried, hopeful

Green-light green: normal, alert, no great stress, sensitive, jealous, envious, guarded

Blue-green: upbeat, pleased, somewhat relaxed, motivated, flirtatious

Blue: normal, optimistic, accepting, calm, peaceful, pleasant

Indigo-darker blue: deeply relaxed, happy, lovestruck, bliss, giving

Violet-burgundy: love, romance, amorous, heat, mischievous, moody, dreamer, sensual

Pink: very happy, warm, affectionate, loving, infatuated, curious

Sun Spots also found the history of the ring and explanation of how it works online (see chemistry.about.com).

The stone of the mood ring, which was invented by Joshua Reynolds, is actually a hollow quartz or glass shell containing thermotropic liquid crystals. Modern mood jewelry is usually made from a flat strip of liquid crystals with a protective coating.

The crystals respond to changes in temperature by twisting. The twisting changes their molecular structure, which alters the wavelengths of light that are absorbed or reflected, thus changing the color.

Mood rings can’t tell your emotional state with any degree of accuracy, but the crystals have a pleasing blue or green color at the average person’s normal resting peripheral temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit. (This is the temperature of your skin, which is not the same as your internal temperature of 98.6 degrees.)

As peripheral body temperature increases in response to passion and happiness, the crystals twist to reflect blue. When you are excited or stressed, blood flow is directed away from the skin and more toward the internal organs, cooling the fingers, causing the crystals to twist the other direction, to reflect more yellow.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Do you know of a craft fair in October where I can rent a table, preferably in the Oxford Hills area? — No name via email

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am looking for a list of craft fairs in the area with tables to rent. The holiday season is coming quickly, and I know the fairs will be starting and I would like to sell my items at a few of them. Can you help? — bhl112468@aol.com

ANSWER: Sun Spots does not know of any one place where all craft fairs are listed. The Sun Journal publishes those submitted to the newspaper in Connections or Check It Out, which are usually on Page B3. Another media source is the Community Calendar (under Events) at MPBN.net.

There are several websites for crafters, including www.mainecrafts.org, www.craftsinmaine.com, www.mainecraftsguild.com and www.unitedmainecraftsmen.com.

Sun Spots only publishes information about craft shows when organizers are looking for donations or renting tables. She ran a column which announced several events on Friday, Sept. 12, which you can find at sunjournal.com/sunspots.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Thank you for the help you provide to all of us.

I saw a photograph of Gov. Paul LePage with a lady by the name of Anita Gousse. I know her personally, as I worked with her at Pepperell Mill many years ago. We had many parties between us girls.

I would like to contact her. Do you know where she lives today? She would know me as Lucille Tardif. If she would like to call, my phone number is 207-782-1602. I would like to be in touch. Thank you very much. — Lucille Dutil, mem6pep@mailstation.com

ANSWER: Sun Spots doesn’t know Anita, but hopes she, or someone who knows her, sees your message.

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.

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