It's an amazing story - two 98 year-old women were pulled from the rubble by rescuers in the aftermath of the earthquake in central Italy several days ago.

Ines D'Alessandro and Maria D'Antuomo are the luckiest people alive today. Ines had already survived a similar earthquake back in 1915 and lost her two sisters in 1918 when their house collapsed on them. Ines also sympathizes for those who have lost loved ones in this recent earthquake. Maria was buried under the rubble in her bed. She was injured but passed the time by crocheting as she waited for help.

When the fireman arrived and carried her off to safety she had some crackers and combed her hair. God's angels were definitely looking out for them on this day.

A small and slightly jolting earthquake struck north of Morgan Hill this morning, making its presence felt as far north as Napa.

The magnitude 4.3 earthquake occurred at approximately 10:40 a.m. The U.S. Geological Survey pinpointed the location 11 miles north of Morgan Hill, seven miles east of Seven Trees and 16 miles east-southeast of San Jose's City Hall.

There were no immediate reports of earthquake damage, but some trains were experiencing 7-10 minute delays while inspectors checked for damage.

The earthquake's rattle was felt throughout the Bay Area and beyond from Santa Rosa and Napa on the north, Soledad on the south, and Groveland in Tuolmne County on the east.

It was described by a few residents as "a couple of sharp shakes" that could be felt along the city's "Miracle Mile."

What did we learn here? Don't become complacent - Get your stuff together and have an earthquake kit on hand just in case that day comes.

Practice Making Drinking Water

For the most part I've been fortunate when it comes to drinking water especially when out in the field. However, there have been a few occasions where I DID NOT have good water to drink so it does happen.

"Dirty" or "Bad" water can contain protozoa, viruses, bacteria or parasites. Symptoms can vary - you can have one or more of the following; diarhea, dysentery, vomitting, nausea, fevers and chills, including aches.

To put it simply - BOIL THE WATER!

If you're not sure of the quality of the water - boil it. If the only water you have available is turbid water (not clear or stuff floating around in it), clear the debris by filtering the water or let the impurities settle first then boil it.

If you have it, you can disinfect the water using chemicals such as iodine and chlorine. Chlorine disinfection with coagulation - flocculation (crappy fluid formed into a mass) is also effective in removing significant numbers of protozoa (creepy little organisms), bacteria, and viruses. You may also want to use a carbon filter to improve the taste otherwise your gag reflex might kick in and you'll have another problem.