Mom feels jealous of daughter’s relationship

DEAR HARRIETTE: My daughter got married about a year ago and moved to New Jersey with her husband. He is from there, and his whole family lives in New Jersey as well. I have always been close with my daughter, so this has been a difficult transition for me because I live in Ohio.

The benefits of music on cognition

Hello, dear readers! Welcome to a bonus letters column. We hope you had a peaceful and enjoyable holiday season and that this new year (how did that happen so soon?) will treat you well. We have some interesting mail, so on to your letters.

Mom doesn’t respect digital nomad’s life

DEAR HARRIETTE: My mom often criticizes me because I live an untraditional life, and it worries her at times. I understand she has good intentions, but I am too old for her to dictate the way I live. I am a digital nomad and have been traveling around Asia and Australia for the past three years.

DO JUST ONE THING

• Plants need light for photosynthesis, and to thrive and be healthy over time. You might think placing a plant near a lamp is just as good as placing it near a sunny window, but traditional light bulbs lack the red and blue spectra light plants need most to grow.

Promoted employee outranks former mentors

DEAR READERS: I have worked at the same company for 12 years now, and I was recently promoted into a role that places me above several people who have mentored me in my career.

Shoveling snow quickly puts strain on heart

Dear Doctors: I’m 65 and healthy. I actually like shoveling snow because it keeps me active. My grandson and my wife say I’m asking for a heart attack and are after me to get a snowblower. I would like to know how serious a risk shoveling really is. Surely there’s a way to shovel snow and stay safe.

Colleague doesn’t want to train employee

DEAR HARRIETTE: My company recently hired a new entry-level colleague to our team, and I am annoyed that I am the one who has to train her. She graduated from college last May, and this is her first job.

One solution for eye floaters: Vitrectomy

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!

Carpooling co-worker tattles on driver

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.

Overuse of curcumin can cause GI distress

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.I ended up in the hospital with an abscess and small intestine perforation. I have read excess turmeric may cause this. Please comment.