I have a sad, sad fondness for the Manilow soundtrack. And Goldie's Bug!

And Castillo was immediately picked up by the Phillies. That could be a disaster in the making for us.

Oh, Mets fans. See what the last few years have done to you? You're all flinchy. It's bad for the Phillies. I guarantee you.

Dude, the Mets are paying Castillo's salary to play for its divisional rivals. This can't end well.

I feel a need to point out that radiation levels in food that exceed government standards does not necessarily mean "dangerous" levels, as the headlines say.

I just saw a FB posting from a friend that said:

let's just be clear on something-- the whole idea of "acceptable" levels of radiation is kind of bullshit, right?

I said (probably woefully inadequately)

Well, it depends on the context. We're exposed to radiation every time we fly on a plane, have an X-ray, or many other everyday situations. So, I actually do not believe that tracking and calibrating acceptable levels of radiation is bullshit- it's important to quantify what's damaging and what isn't.

her response was "yeah, but when there's radiation in your milk, that's probably a bit more problematic."

Are there any other points I can make or should I walk away?

Are there any other points I can make or should I walk away?

You say "One word: Spider-Man!" and walk away.

I am Twitchy McAnxious today, though, so just about anything would make me get all head-punch-y.

Nora, give her the link to XKCD's new radiation graphic. It's actually really informative, and might give her some perspective.

A crime against humanity and caninity.

So my parents the other day (who live in a retirement community about 25 minutes away) announced that they thought it would be a good idea for them to buy a house with me.

My mother is 80, and has Alzheimer's, and has very limited mobility. She's also subject to paralyzing levels of anxiety and must be on serious medication at all times. She cannot be left alone. My dad is 83 and while still active is starting to slip a bit cognitively.

I love my parents and I want them to live the last years of their lives in health and safety. My sister & I see them regularly, and the kids pay for someone to sit with my mother four mornings a week so my dad can get out.

Within a few years my dad should stop driving, probably. And my mother's back problems and general sedentary lifestyle mean that she's a fall risk. They're one broken ankle from disaster, frankly.

But I live alone, and I love living alone. I do my thing, I see friends and family when I want, I keep my independence. Living with my parents would mean losing that. I would pretty much be guaranteed to end up as their primary caregiver, even if we bring in outside help.

Which is not even getting into the difficulty of selling two houses and buying a new one.

But I feel guilty! Because I think my dad really wants more time with people other than his wife, and she's really really difficult to deal with.

Argh.

Granted, my husband's family resembles a dysfunctional wolf pack when it comes to interfamilial relations, but when his mother and sister bought a house together it degenerated into a lot of animosity and an eventual lawsuit.

Oh, Consuela, that's so hard. My mom went through that with her mom. Ultimately they'd probably be better off in an assisted living facility. They'd have more company, since you'd be at work full-time, and they'd also be set up if and when either of their health really starts to fail.

Not an easy conversation to have, though.