Happy 234th Birthday United States of America.  We hope it's a good one.

This morning around 4:00 am the western suburbs of Chicago was hit by an earthquake of magnitude 3.8.  Illinois has had earthquakes as it is part of the New Madrid fault line but to my recollection I have never felt one.

I was awake when it hit but I don't think I felt the shaking.  I did hear the bang but thought it was a snow plow or a train or something blown by a gust of wind.

There haven't been any reports of serious damage, just the typical fallen picture or broken trinket.  Those from the West Coast might have felt it was a bunch of nothing but it was the talk of the day to the Midwesterners.  The farm below is the epicenter.

As most everyone knows, the country of Haiti, already the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, suffered a major earthquake on January 12th.  The quake was so powerful that much of the country's buildings in the capital Port-au-Prince was reduced to rubble.  While many aid organization are sending assistance to the ravaged areas, most of us common-folk wonder how we can help.  There are many good aid organizations that are in need of donations for various forms of aid.

CNN posted a great list of aid organizations and how they are helping out.

One of my favorite aid organizations, Habitat For Humanity is also accepting donations as this country will soon be struggling to rebuild.

The Red Cross estimates that three million people are affected by the tragedy. It is in times like these that the fortunate really need to help those in need.

The pictures below show the Presidential Palace before and after the earthquake.

Happy New Year's and to all a happy Blue Moon courtesy of the King.

2009 is ending with a odd mix of weather.  But this is Chicago where if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes and it will change.

In the past week, we've gone from an ice storm to rain and 40 degrees to where we are now which is five inches of snow and counting. 

What a hoot it is.  I'm staying inside and assembling Christmas gifts like all good Fathers should do.

Here's Mary plowing the driveway in only the way the Pod can.

The expected huge Winter storm turned out to be a wet, windy affair.  The temp is expected to dive into the teens tomorrow and twenties on Friday.  In typical fashion, the weekend will be well over freezing.  So that means no shoveling.  I'll let nature take it's course.

So Friday will be a day filled with more recording.  I have the beginnings of a new song recorded and will work on the structure, vocals and bass.  The floodgates have opened.

First measurable snow of the season today.  Only about an inch on the ground but people forgot how to drive in it.  We're supposed to have more tomorrow with a "major" storm Tuesday night into Wednesday.

All part of the season.  White Christmas here we come.  Take it away Otis.

We had our first snow of the season today.  It wasn't measurable bit it was snow.  This fall has been very mild.  November was warm and rainy.  That followed a very mild October.  Today was in the thirties.  Tom Skilling said it was the 9th warmest November in 139 years of weather records.

December 1st was in the 50 making it the mildest December open of the past 11 years. O'Hare's 55-degree high, 15 degrees above normal, has only been equaled or surpassed on Dec. 1 on only 12 of the last 139 years.

All that ended today.  At this time of the year, I don't mind the snow and cooler temps.  Once we hit late January, I have generally had enough and look forward to the inevitable thaw with great anticipation.

White Christmas... bring it on.

While I work on prep work for tomorrow's Thanksgiving meal, a number of folks will be spending their evenings in a different way not 30 miles from me.  In Huntley, Illinois, the brave at heart will be taking in the annual Turkey Testicle Festival.  That's right.  It's not turkey sandwich or turkey neck.  It's the other side of the bird's anatomy.

Held annually at the Parkside Pub in Huntley, the testicles are deep fried and eaten by the 1000s of pounds.  My better half went once back in the 90s and brought some home.  They are not that different than any of the organ meat that comes in the bird.  Much like Rocky Mountain Oysters, these could be called Cornfield Oysters. 

Much like other exotic food, it is a once in a life time, just have to do it to say you have delicacy. 

The day after Thanksgiving has been a popular day for would be Santas for years.  As stores have attempted to kick off the start of the traditional Christmas season earlier in the year, the traditional "Black Friday" sales has been a competition of sorts for some shoppers.

I personally have found the sales somewhat wanting in recent years.  Last year I expected big price slashes due to the weakened economy but besides low stocked "Door busters" the pickings were pretty unremarkable.  It's a shame some would-be shoppers at Wal-Mart had to give their lives for next to nothing.

Thanks to the many Black Friday themed websites found on the internet today, Santa's plan of attack can be drawn up weeks before rather than staying up late the night before while in a Tryptophan coma.  Some stores have asked to have their ads removed but it's tough to squash info on the internet once it is made public.  Just ask any celeb who's home movies have hit the interweb.

Here are a few websites to help you plan you strategy.

• BF Ads.Net
• Black Friday.Net
• Black Friday Info
• The Black Friday

Happy Shopping