Not that the retailers will let us forget - I caught the folks at my local food emporium changing out the Christmas stuff for red and pink hearts back on Dec. 23rd. Now dang it, that just ain't right!

So if you're feeling a little schizophrenic, it's not you.

The post-holiday let-down tends to make a lot of us a little more more touchy...and I don't mean touchy-feely. This is the time of year many of us feel like we're facing the rest of the long, cold winter of caregiving on our own. When you have family members who, in your estimation, aren't pulling their weight, it can add to the resentment.

Hence, our lead article this time out.....

4 years:	My Daddy can do anything!
7 years:	My Dad knows a lot…a whole lot.
8 years:	My father doesn't know quite everything.
12 years:	Oh well, naturally Father doesn't know that, either.
14 years:	Oh, Father? He is hopelessly old-fashioned.
21 years:	Oh, that man - he is so out of date!
25 years:	He knows a little bit about it, but not much.
30 years:	I must find out what Dad thinks about it.
35 years:	Before we decide, we will get Dad's idea first.
50 years:	What would Dad have thought about that?
60 years:	My Dad knew literally everything!
65 years:	I wish I could talk it over with Dad once more.
~ Anonymous

(News from the American Physical Therapy Association) Falls are prevalent, dangerous, and costly. About one in three seniors above age 65, and nearly one in two seniors over age 80, will fall at least once this year, many times with disastrous consequences. As our nation’s population ages, the rate of falls is rising. Yet, falling and fear of falling may be reduced by physical therapist intervention, says the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).

Physical therapists will answer questions about the risk factors of falling, how the body maintains its balance, and how older adults can help to improve their balance and reduce the risk of falling during a toll-free national hotline on Friday, February 8, from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm, EST. The hotline is offered as a public service of the American Physical Therapy Association (www.apta.org) and is not a substitute for a visit to a physical therapist or other health care professional. The toll-free number is 1-877-NEED-A-PT (633-3278).

It's cold outside, so doing something together around the oven holds more appeal than it will in August. This is a cooking activity that may appeal to men just as much as women, especially if there is a family dog, or a neighbor has a dog your parent likes.

Dog Treats are a good "cookie" type activity because dogs don't care what the end result looks like. They'll slurp these up 'cause they taste good...to dogs, at least. Frankly, I didn't think they tasted so hot, myself. 

Ingredients Needed:

3 1/2 cup unbleached flour
2 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup skim milk powder
1 tablespoon (or 1 package) dry yeast
3 1/2 cups warm (not hot) meat or chicken broth

Dissolve the yeast in the warm broth. Let this mixture rest for 10 min, and then add the dry ingredients. Encourage your parent to roll up his or her sleeves and knead the dough until everything is well mixed. Break off teaspoon to tablespoon sized balls and mold into bone or other chosen shape. Flatten these shapes to about 1/4" thick with a flat glass or bowl bottom so they won't be too thick to cook through. Brush your creations with egg wash (below). Bake for 45 minutes at 300 degrees on greased cookie sheets. Turn off the heat and leave in the oven overnight to harden. Makes about 50 to 60 biscuits, give or take, depending on size and shape.

Egg Wash: Lightly beat an egg with a teaspoon to a tablespoon of water and brush over the surface to seal it.

Storage: Because these treats contain meat juice and no commercial preservatives they should be stored in a tightly sealed bag or container in the refrigerator. They can also be frozen. Defrost before offering to the dog, of course.