Wow! It was -17 when I woke up this morning. Unbelievable!! I stepped outside and a brand new sensation occurred to my still limited life experience. Bone chilling cold!! Sorry for all the exclamation points but I’ve never experienced anything like this. Now believe me, its beautiful. I am going to go outside and take some photos and post them later this evening. The sun is shining and the snow sparkles like diamonds.

School was closed today. That gives our children a four day weekend. Benjamin just walked outside and tossed a cup of water in the air to see if would freeze before it hit the ground. Of course it is all in the name of science. It didn’t freeze. However he did not waste anytime coming back inside.

I am reading “The Back of the Napkin” and will include a review of it next week. That will be my first book review for my blog.

Speaking of my blog, I am still in learning curve so I am going to spend a little more time exploring what I can do with the site. If something goofy appears let me know. Also Benjamin created a Facebook site for me. I will be trying to monitor that as well. Facebook as most of you probably know is a networking site. I’ve been shocked at how quickly I’ve gotten reconnected with friends.

I’ve had some interesting conversations with business owners this week. The economy is affecting each of them differently. One of my conversations revealed there is opportunity in this current economy. My friend’s business has increased and expanded in new markets. Hmmm! Faith in God and a positive attitude give a new perspective. More about that later too.

I was looking over President elect Obama’s choices for his cabinet. His choices were part of President Clinton’s entourage. Where’s the change?

Yesterday President Bush proclaimed January 18th as National Sanctity of Human Life Day. President Reagan initiated the first observance of the day in 1984 and it has been observed ever since, with the exception of the eight years Bill Clinton was president.

Here is the brief text of the proclamation.

NATIONAL SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE DAY 2009
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

All human life is a gift from our Creator that is sacred, unique, and worthy of protection. On National Sanctity of Human Life Day, our country recognizes that each person, including every person waiting to be born, has a special place and purpose in this world. We also underscore our dedication to heeding this message of conscience by speaking up for the weak and voiceless among us.

The most basic duty of government is to protect the life of the innocent. My Administration has been committed to building a culture of life by vigorously promoting adoption and parental notification laws, opposing Federal funding for abortions overseas, encouraging teen abstinence, and funding crisis pregnancy programs. In 2002, I was honored to sign into law the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act, which extends legal protection to children who survive an abortion attempt. I signed legislation in 2003 to ban the cruel practice of partial-birth abortion, and that law represents our commitment to building a culture of life in America. Also, I was proud to sign the Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2004, which allows authorities to charge a person who causes death or injury to a child in the womb with a separate offense in addition to any charges relating to the mother.

America is a caring Nation, and our values should guide us as we harness the gifts of science. In our zeal for new treatments and cures, we must never abandon our fundamental morals. We can achieve the great breakthroughs we all seek with reverence for the gift of life.
The sanctity of life is written in the hearts of all men and women. On this day and throughout the year, we aspire to build a society in which every child is welcome in life and protected in law. We also encourage more of our fellow Americans to join our just and noble cause. History tells us that with a cause rooted in our deepest principles and appealing to the best instincts of our citizens, we will prevail.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 18, 2009, as National Sanctity of Human Life Day. I call upon all Americans to recognize this day with appropriate ceremonies and to underscore our commitment to respecting and protecting the life and dignity of every human being.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

GEORGE W. BUSH