DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have an older Canon Laser copier in excellent working condition to give free to a non-profit (501-c-3) organization. Call Anne at (207) 783-8732. — No name, Lewiston.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I read your column daily. I love it and am grateful for it. My question is, I planted some cosmos seeds the week of Memorial Day in a sunny spot and keep them watered etc. They have grown 4 or 5 feet but have no flowers or buds. What gives?

I am also wondering if anyone has any daylily corms to give away.

Thank you for your help. — Lyndell, Litchfield.

ANSWER: Cosmos are annuals with a 3 to 5 inch flower that bloom in various colors and a stem that can grow up to 6 feet tall. They are quite popular, well-known for attracting bees and butterflies. These lovely flowers may also owe their popularity to the fact that they are relatively low-maintenance and may actually thrive with a little neglect.

Here is some advice from the Old Farmer’s Almanac: “They like soil that is not too rich, as rich soil will encourage foliage at the expense of bloom. Water regularly, but make sure you don’t overwater the plants. Over-watering and over-fertilization can lead to plants with fewer flowers. Cosmos can tolerate dry soil, even in a hot, arid, sunbaked spot.”

If you are seeing a lot of leaves but no buds, your soil may be too rich. To give your cosmos bed a little less nutrients, or if your soil is heavy with clay, you might try mixing some sand in with the soil next year.

And, readers, it is almost time to start thinking about planting bulbs for next spring, if anyone has daylily corms to spare, please write in to Sun Spots.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: On August 8, the Sun Journal had an article on the front page, titled, “Family makes new medals,” for veterans.

The article stated that National veterans never received their medals for participating in what was called “The Berlin Crisis.”

I would like to inform these individuals that medals are still available on request.

I can be reached at (207) 783-3850. — Normand Berube, Lewiston.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m looking for an acoustic guitarist to play at a funeral reception in Auburn on October 8, from approximately 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. My brother loved to play his acoustic guitar and I think it would be a nice touch to have a guitarist at his reception. You should be able to play music from the ’60s: Beatles, Stones, some Jose Feliciano.  No vocals are required.

Please contact Sue at (860) 805-8556. Thank you. — Sue, Enfield, CT.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In the show Murphy Brown, what is the name of the actress who played her? Thanks for all you do. — No name, Waterford.

ANSWER: According IMDb.com, Murphy Brown was a sitcom on CBS from 1988 to 1998. The main character, Murphy Brown, was a sharp-tongued journalist, played by Candice Bergen. 

Use the QR code to go to Sun Spots online for additional information and links. 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 be emailed to [email protected], tweeted @SJ_SunSpots or posted on the Sun Spots Facebook page at facebook.com/SunJournalSunSpots. This column can also be read online at sunjournal.com/sunspots. We’ve joined Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/sj_sunspots.