DO JUST ONE THING

• A lot of people like to add white vinegar to the automatic dishwasher to help boost its cleaning power and leave dishes and cups sparkling clean. The only issue with using vinegar is this: It’s a strong acid that can degrade the rubber gaskets inside your dishwasher over time.

Adding turkey tail mushrooms to regimen

Dear Doctors: Turkey tail mushrooms seemed to help my dad through Stage 4 lung cancer, so I am wondering about their use in laryngeal cancer. Could it be a supportive therapy when paired with conventional therapies? I can’t find much information on them for that specific cancer.

Reader wants to let down beau gently

DEAR HARRIETTE: For the past few months, I’ve been seeing this guy, going on a few dates and hanging out with him in social settings. Lately, there have been a lot of things going on in my personal life with my family, and I don’t think I’m in the right headspace to be there for him.

Life is short, so celebrate when you can

Last week, we went out to celebrate with my oldest and most curmudgeonly friend, Andrew.Andrew is a tax preparer, so even if I hadn’t been in Mexico for the last three months, I still would not have seen much of him.

Soon-to-be uncle wants to build relationship

DEAR HARRIETTE: My sister just announced she is having twins. Growing up, I was always close to my siblings, although we are all different ages. There have been times when they were there when I needed them and vice versa.

Friction arises taking in unemployed sister

DEAR HARRIETTE: My sister lost her job six months ago and hasn’t been able to find a new one. She worked in tech for 10 years at some great companies, but she hasn’t found any success.

Managing chronic venous insufficiency

Dear Doctors: Can you please address chronic venous insufficiency? My doctor has advised me to use compression socks and elevate the legs. I find the socks hard to put on, and elevating my legs above my heart is another challenge. Help!

The impact librarians have on people

Ispent yesterday with more than 5,000 librarians.A few were library aides, and some were library trustees. But the thing they all had in common was libraries.I never thought much about how libraries work, probably because they work so well.

Enthusiasm for book club dwindles

DEAR HARRIETTE: I started a book club around eight months ago, and I advertised it on my community’s Facebook page. I was so excited because the first time I hosted, it was a success. More than 30 people came, and the discussion we had on the book was amazing.

Reader gets involved in mom, grandma’s fight

DEAR HARRIETTE: My mom has always had a troubled relationship with my grandmother, primarily due to growing up in poverty, surrounded by so much uncertainty. Due to her upbringing, my mom vowed to provide her children with a better life than what she had.