DEAR HARRIETTE: I carpool with my friend to work. I pick her up every day because she’s on the way and doesn’t drive. We’ve been late a few times, and our job has a protocol for lateness. My supervisor doesn’t keep close tabs on our team’s timestamps, so she hardly realized when I was late. My friend’s supervisor, however, happened to notice her fourth tardy arrival and gave her a stern warning, per protocol.
Dear Doctors: You recently stated in a column about eye floaters that there is no cure at this time. I got a vitrectomy for this condition, and it was life-changing for me. By no means is this procedure meant for everyone as it is not without risk, but there is a cure!
DEAR HARRIETTE: I’m struggling with this weird competitive energy between me and one of my classmates.
Dear Doctors: I am a 67-year-old physically active man. I was taking turmeric three times a day for several weeks to reduce workout-related inflammation.
Dear Doctors: I slipped and slammed my shin on the metal ledge of a moving van. I could still move my toes, turn my foot, stand on it and walk, so I figured it wasn’t a break. A few days later, a big lump showed up, with lots of swelling and bruising. Could it be it actually was broken?
DEAR HARRIETTE: My friend and I were talking recently, and she made a comment about my daughter that caught me off guard. It wasn’t outright cruel, but it was insensitive: She implied that my daughter was “a lot to handle” and hinted that her behavior made it difficult for people to be around her. I know kids can be overwhelming at times, and I’m not blind to the fact that my daughter has her moments, but the way she said it felt judgmental – almost like she had been holding this opinion for a while and finally let it slip. It really hurt my feelings. I didn’t say anything in the moment because I was shocked and didn’t want to escalate things, but now I keep replaying it in my head.
DEAR HARRIETTE: Two of my friends are extremely cheap, and it’s getting to the point where it’s hard to enjoy doing anything with them. We all live in New York City, and as you know, the cost of simply existing here is high. Yet they complain about every price tag, subway fare or coffee that costs more than $3, even splitting an Uber when it’s pouring outside. The other night we went to a casual restaurant where the average entree was around $20, which, for NYC, is honestly pretty reasonable. They acted like the prices were outrageous and spent half the meal whispering about how “expensive” everything was. It was uncomfortable, and I felt guilty ordering what I wanted.
• Backyard bird and nectar feeders need to be properly filled to avoid getting birds sick.
Hello again, dear readers! Welcome to a bonus letters column. This time, we’re focusing on two questions, one important and one just plain interesting, so let’s dive in.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I started making pottery as a new hobby, and I love it, but my roommate keeps making jokes about how messy it is. She calls it a “mud factory” and even moves my supplies around without asking, which makes it hard for me to focus or enjoy my work. At first, I tried to laugh it off and tell myself it’s harmless teasing, but it’s starting to get under my skin. I look forward to pottery as a way to relax and express myself, and I feel like I shouldn’t have to feel embarrassed about something that brings me joy.