DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m looking for someone who can make a “bean bag” I can heat up to keep my feet warm at night. Socks and extra blankets don’t help. Heat is the only way to warm up my cold feet! Call me at 212-0501. — No name, Lisbon

ANSWER: I know what you’re talking about and these bags or “pillows” filled with rice or whole feed corn or cracked corn work very well. Use some soft cotton fabric such as flannel, make a “bag” with one end open, fill it about three-quarters full with rice or dried corn — the kind you would feed to squirrels/birds/chickens — and stitch it closed. Polyester fabric and thread are not recommended. Use cotton. It’s also great to have a small pillowcase for it that you can launder regularly.

You must take care when heating these in the microwave. Just a couple minutes is all you need. You don’t want to start a fire or have the bag so hot that it would cause you to burn yourself or even scorch your bedding, which I’ve seen happen.

These warming do-it-yourself heating pads are great, especially on a cold winter’s night. They also work as a cold pad and can be kept in the freezer in a plastic bag to use for bumps and bruises.

I’ve seen them for sale at local craft sales and gift shops. Grandpa’s Garden in Brunswick at 146 Maine St. sells beautiful heating pads like this in many shapes and sizes.

However, I do hope another reader who sews will step forward and offer to make a heating pad or two for this reader!

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I used to hold on to the hard copy of Parade magazine for breakfast reading since I only have the epaper on Mondays. This past Sunday I got busy and forgot to read Parade and now can’t figure out how to find it online. I so miss the Sun Journal physical newspaper on Mondays. Now I miss Parade, too.

If anyone can figure this out,  it is you, dear Sun Spots!—No name, no town

ANSWER: Go to:

https://issuu.com/wickcommunications/docs/parade_february_12_2023 and you’ll be able to virtually page through your Parade magazine while enjoying your morning cuppa. I hear you about missing the paper versions of publications and understand completely. The changes we are attempting to navigate in this crazy world of ours are coming at us at a fast and furious rate. I’m here to help Sun Spots readers all I can.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: What a lovely anniversary story in this past Sunday’s B-section about Robert and Lorraine Ducharme. It was so uplifting to read this. They seem like a couple everyone should have for neighbors. After 72 years they are still smiling and happy to be together. I’m wishing them many more years — and wish I knew them! — No name, Lewiston

ANSWER: I loved that anniversary announcement as well. We desperately need more stories like this one that inspire us. Robert and Elaine, married in 1951, raised nine children together. Congratulations to this beautiful couple! If any readers missed it, here is the link to the story:

https://www.sunjournal.com/2023/02/12/robert-and-lorraine-ducharme-celebrate-72nd-anniversary/

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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